by Tom Geoffroy

Created on: April 11, 2009   Last Updated: April 15, 2009

Families across America are feeling the negative effects of a failing economy. News reports drone on about falling stock prices, falling housing prices, rising unemployment, and rising foreclosure rates. Fear is spreading across the nation as many see their life savings disappear and their future uncertain. Not a day goes by without family, friends, and co-workers discussing the poor state of the economy. The current housing crisis cuts across all economic classes in America. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are too. The recession touches everyone including the most vulnerable of our citizens; our children.

The current state of our economy has dramatic effects on our children. Behind every yard sign advertising a house for sale, is a family. Families are uprooting their children from what used to be a stable home, in order to get out from under a mortgage they cannot afford. Many have not been successful and so the home goes into foreclosure. When the foreclosure process is complete, the house becomes vacant and the family must move. Children are removed from their schools, friends, sports teams, scouting clubs and other familiar things in their life. When normal is gone, children are at risk.

Foreclosure cannot always be avoided. A family may find themselves in a foreclosure situation through no fault of their own. This is a reality we live in now. When the bank moves to foreclose on a house, there are some things parents can do. Here are just a few suggestions.

1. Talk to your children in age appropriate ways. Small children six and under do not have the ability to understand the way older children do. This does not mean they do not recognize something is wrong. Children need to be reassured everything will be alright and just because their house will no longer be their home; the family will always be there.

2. Married couples are at risk of separation and divorce when debt and financial pressure mounts. You need to be aware of this and talk to your spouse so you can work through these challenges together. Your spouse is not the enemy and breaking up only adds more negative stress to everyone most importantly the children. Yes, it is a good idea to stay together for the sake of the children. They will do much better in life if you do.

3. The loss of a home is a big loss. Each member of the family will go through grief. Children grieve too and they need to be able to do that. Give your children the time they need to work through the grief. They will go through the same stages you do: Denial, anger, depression, bargaining (with God), and finally acceptance. You cannot put a time limit on grief and you do not go through these stages in any particular order. They are all normal and kids will work through it given the proper support. If they get stuck in any one stage too long, then you might want to consider getting them help.

4. Keep lines of communication open. Talk about your feelings with each other. Find out how your children feel. Allow each family member to express themselves. Dad, this is a time to listen. You don't have to try to "fix" everybody. A listening ear will go a long way.

These are just a few things to consider when families and children suffer the loss of a home in foreclosure. Remember this; many people have gone through the same thing you may be going through. You will get through this. There can be a new beginning. You do have a future and a hope.

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