A year ago, the Los Angeles wildfires tore through homes, schools, and neighborhoods, leaving a path of heartbreak and uncertainty. Today, we remember the families who lost so much and honor the quiet, ongoing strength of those who are still putting the pieces back together.
Natural disasters don’t just change landscapes. They change lives. And while flames may stop burning, the effects ripple through communities long after the smoke clears. We’ve seen that firsthand, not just in the families who were displaced, but in neighbors, classmates, teachers, and friends who were deeply affected in ways that don’t always make headlines.
At BrightLife Kids, we believe that the hardest moments are when showing up matters most. Not with perfect answers or quick fixes, but with care, compassion, and tools that help children and families navigate emotional storms, even when the physical ones have passed.
How trauma shows up in children and how to help
Kids may not fully understand the details of a traumatic event, but they feel it in their bodies and in their daily lives. They absorb the stress in the room. They notice what’s missing.
Trauma and grief in children can show up as tantrums, clinginess, withdrawal, trouble sleeping, or sudden fears. These are not behaviors to correct but signals to interpret. And the truth is, the effects of trauma can last in children for some time. Here are some ways to support a child in the wake of trauma:
Avoid making promises you can’t keep. Instead of "That will never happen again," try, "We’re doing everything we can to stay safe, and I’m here with you."
Be honest when you don’t know something. It builds trust.
Model how to sit with uncertainty. Instead of brushing things off, show your child it’s okay to feel unsure and that we can find comfort even when answers are unclear.
Healing doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine. It means creating space for all the feelings, and showing your child that you can handle the uncertainty together.
We’ve gathered more tools and tips on this in our BrightLife Kids app. Two member-only articles offer deeper guidance, language scripts, and practical steps for families who are rebuilding emotionally:
How to help kids (and yourself) find comfort during a tragedy
Nine ways to help when tragedy strikes
If you’re not yet a member, we invite you to join us. It’s free and these resources are made for moments like this.
Member story: From survival mode to steady ground
One way that we were able to help is with one family who lost their home during the Pacific Palisades fire. They found themselves sharing a room at a grandparent’s house, and while they were thankful for the roof over their heads, it was an unsettling situation.
With nothing familiar about their living situation and a 90-minute-long ride to school ahead, their children’s mornings turned into daily struggles. They were refusing to get dressed, melting down over breakfast, and acting out in ways that felt new and hard to understand.
The caregiver came to BrightLife Kids and said, simply, "We’re overwhelmed, confused, and hurting — all of us, but in different ways."
In coaching sessions, we helped this parent see the behavior in a new light — it wasn’t defiance, it was a sign their kids were hurting. They weren’t acting out just to push buttons. They were saying, in their own way, “I don’t feel okay right now.”
Together, we created a care plan that honored both the emotional and practical challenges of their new reality:
Predictable and calm morning routines to offset the stress of the long commute
Simple, repeatable moments of connection each day
Gentle ways to rebuild a sense of safety and belonging
Over 10 weeks, they moved from temporary housing into a new home. We helped the children create comforting bedroom routines that made the unfamiliar feel safe again. Healing didn’t happen overnight but we’re honored to say that the family slowly found steadier ground.
Helping your family feel grounded again
When your world is turned upside down, daily routines can feel impossible. The idea of "getting back to normal" may not even be realistic. But even small rituals, like a shared breakfast, a walk around the block, a story at bedtime, can become anchors for your child and for you.
Start where you are:
Choose one moment each day for connection
Ask for help and accept it
Focus on what’s most important for your child and your family in the moment
In crisis, the most healing rhythm might be no rhythm at all — just doing what helps you and your family settle.
How to show up for others after trauma
Even if you weren’t directly impacted, the past year may still feel heavy—and that’s okay. You might feel sadness, guilt, or just unsure of what to say. The truth is, you don’t need perfect words. What matters most is showing up with care, kindness, and a willingness to be there. That alone can mean the world.
Here are a few ways to support loved ones through a crisis:
Say: “I’m here for you,” even if you don’t know what else to say
Drop off food, run errands, or babysit without being asked
Offer calm energy, not forced positivity
Avoid well-meaning but minimizing phrases like "At least you..." or "Everything happens for a reason"
Don’t ask, "What can I do?"—just do something thoughtful
Kindness doesn’t need to be big or performative. A small act, offered with love, can often be enough.
How we showed up for LA families last year
After the LA fires, we focused on what mattered most — being there. We listened, offered support, and shared tools families could use right away, in whatever small ways we could help.
We shared tips for talking to children about disaster and loss. We posted resources for creating emotional safety. We reminded our community that grief in kids can look like many different behaviors and that all of it is valid.
Our coaches helped families find their footing one step at a time. We worked alongside teachers, caregivers, and local partners to make sure children had what they needed to feel seen, heard, and held.
We were honored to be featured by local media and proud to partner with organizations like Rams in the Community to reach even more families. But above all, we tried to stay close to our mission: meeting California families where they are, especially when life turns upside down.
We're still here, and still helping
BrightLife Kids exists for families navigating uncertainty, stress, and change. The LA fires reminded us how important it is to meet those moments with empathy and support, not just in the first few days, but long after the emergency ends.
If you or someone you know needs help making sense of this past year, our behavioral health coaches are here to listen, guide, and support.
We’re proud of how we showed up last year but we also know the work isn’t done. Healing takes time. Community matters. And kids deserve support that doesn’t disappear once the smoke clears.
Need more support?
BrightLife Kids offers free behavioral health coaching, digital tools, and care coordination for families with kids ages 0–12. It’s simple, compassionate help — at no cost to you and signing up only takes a few minutes.