How Do You Explain Redundancy To Kids?

Last week Pacific Brands, the manufacturers of such iconic brands such as Bonds, Holeproof, Yakka, Dunlop Volley and Jockey, announced it was closing seven factories in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland and axing 1850 jobs.

Many of these workers were breadwinners for their families. Mourila Orland, who worked at the Wentworthville factory in NSW, told the SMH: “I have four children to look after and a mortgage to pay”. “My youngest daughter has a heart condition. What are we going to do if she needs another operation?”

Many of her colleagues had limited English and little or no training outside the textiles industry. And sadly, their story is no longer unique. Financial analysts predict that unemployment in Australia will rise from 4.5 per cent to 6 per cent this year and peak around 7 per cent next year. With this in mind, more parents than ever will need to have that tough talk with their kids – mummy doesn’t have a job anymore. So what do you tell them?

According to Forbes.com, experts say that the most important thing parents can do is reassure their children that everything will be OK. Children need to know their parents have things under control – even if they don’t feel like they do. You’re the parents, and seeking reassurance from your kids will only confuse them.

Kids will all have different concerns. Let them ask questions of you -  but also ask questions of them, do see if you can get to the bottom of their worries. Amy Joelson, a psychotherapist in New York City who works with all age groups, says “No one knows how you and your child relate to each other, or what kinds of things your child tends to worry about.”

While it’s natural that you will be emotional in front of your kids, it’s important to show that you are working through it. In the long run it will teach everyone in the family that you can survive big setbacks and that they make you stronger as a family.

If all else fails focus on the positives – that you may all be able to spend more time together in the  short term.

Have you ever been made redundant? How did you tell your kids?