By KELLY WILSON

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Children displaced by recent flooding or otherwise affected by the disaster may have nightmares, problems sleeping through the night and a fear that something bad will happen again.

"It's normal to see some regressive behaviors, for younger children things like going back to sucking the thumb or wetting the bed or wanting to cling to the parents," said Chuck Johnson, administrative coordinator of behavioral health services at Blessing Hospital.

"With older kids, you typically see more rebellion," he said. "They're upset with what's happened."

Johnson said parents should try to reassure their children that no matter how bad things may appear, that they're going to get through the situation as a family.

"Parents have to have a lot of patience and tolerance," he said. "Children may want more attention at this time."

For younger children, he suggests reading stories or finding other ways to calm and comfort them. For older children, he says it's important to have open communication.

He says parents should encourage younger children to draw pictures about what they're feeling, and older children to write their thoughts down.

"Kids are less fearful if they know they can ask questions," Johnson said. "Don't be afraid if you can't answer all your kids' questions. You can say, 'I don't know what we're going to find when the water goes down, but we're going to deal with it as a family.' "