7 Helpful Books for Children Living in a PTSD Family

Are you searching for PTSD books for children?

Seven years ago when my husband was first diagnosed with PTSD, our children were still just babies. They had no idea of the dark shadows that had descended on our happy home, or what it might mean for our future.

But as the years marched by, our kids began asking more and more questions. And, more worryingly, their fears and worries also began to grow.

My husband and I have always strived to communicate openly with our children about the realities of his PTSD and how we can best manage together as a family through the rough patches. And I find that using well-written books about these topics have helped enormously with giving us the appropriate language for these conversations.

The books listed here are all written for children (ranging from 3-12 years of age), though I am still on the hunt for appropriate stories and informative books to help support adolescents who live in a PTSD family.

 

 

You can also read my post on popular books about PTSD here.

 

 

Why Is Dad So Mad?

A Book About PTSD and Military Families

Why Is Dad So Mad? is an illustrated story for children in military families whose father battles with combat related PTSD.

After a decade fighting wars on two fronts, tens of thousands of service members are coming home having trouble adjusting to civilian life; this includes struggling as parents.

This is a narrative story told from a family’s point of view (mother and children) of a service member who struggles with PTSD and its symptoms.

Many service members deal with anger, forgetfulness, sleepless nights, and nightmares. This book explains these and how they affect Dad. The moral of the story is that even though Dad gets angry and yells, he still loves his family more than anything.

This book was recommended to us by the social worker and psychologist attending my husband during his first PTSD inpatient stay.

Buy your copy here: Why is Dad So Mad?

 

 

Why Is Mom So Mad?

A Book About PTSD and Military Families

Just like the book above, Why Is Mom So Mad? is the equivalent illustrated story for children in military families whose mother battles with combat related PTSD.

Asymmetrical warfare has blurred the lines of women in combat roles, female veterans are impacted by this through current conflicts more than ever.

This is a narrative story told from a family’s point of view (father and children) of a service member who struggles with PTSD and its symptoms.

Buy your copy here: Why is Mom So Mad

 

 

The Huge Bag of Worries

A Book for Kids About Having Worries

Wherever Jenny goes, her worries follow her – in a big blue bag.

They are there when she goes swimming, when she is watching TV, and even when she is in the lavatory. Jenny decides they will have to go. But who can help her?

A compelling picture book which can be used as a spring board into what worries children today.

Recommended to us by my children’s psychologist, this book has been extremely helpful in opening up conversations with my kids about their worries and how to normalise and then effectively manage them.

Buy your copy here: The Huge Bag of Worries

 

 

 

 

Why Are You So Scared?

A Child’s Book About Parents with PTSD

This book introduces PTSD and explains why it can occur in family members, its symptoms, and how to live with an individual affected by PTSD. Kids who have a parent with PTSD can often feel confused, scared, or helpless.

Why Are You So Scared? explains PTSD and its symptoms in nonthreatening, kid-friendly language, and is full of questions and exercises that kids and parents can work through together.

The workbook-style layout encourages kids to express their thoughts and emotions about PTSD through writing, drawing, and designing. This book can serve as a practical tool for kids to cope with and eventually understand their parent’s PTSD.

Buy your copy here: Why Are You So Scared?: A Child’s Book About Parents With PTSD

 

 

Hey Warrior

A Book for Kids About Anxiety

Kids can do amazing things with the right information.

Understanding why anxiety feels the way it does and where the physical symptoms come from is a powerful step in turning anxiety around. Anxiety explained, kids empowered.

This book is beautifully illustrated and was recommended to us by my children’s psychologist after my daughter began demonstrating increasing signs of anxiety stemming from exposure to her father’s PTSD episodes.

It has been invaluable in giving us the appropriate language to better understand her feelings of anxiety and constructive ways to challenge her panic attacks in the future.

Buy your copy here: Hey Warrior

 

 

Daddy’s Home

A Picture Book for Military Families

Parents returning from active military service may have difficulties reintegrating into civilian life.

Daddy’s Home is a picture book that helps military parents explain the invisible wounds of war, including post traumatic stress disorder, to their small children.

This book is ideally aimed at young children (3-6 years of age).

Buy your copy here: Daddy’s Home

 

 

My Daddy Has PTSD

A Book for Young Children of Veterans

The goal of My Daddy Has PTSD is to provide support and promote outreach for veterans and their families as they cope with the symptoms of PTSD.

Full color photos on 52 pages explore the daily life of a young child with strategies to support and solve difficulties that the family experiences due to PTSD symptoms.

Vets to Vets, United, a dog training group providing companion dogs for disabled veterans will benefit from the sale of this book.

Buy your copy here: My Daddy Has PTSD

 

 

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Any comments about or suggestions of other helpful PTSD books for children? Please share them in the comments box below!