Quote:
|
Just when I thought we lucked out with Charley...hey Deb, I like your modified track...maybe you could let the hurricane know about it
|
Oh trust me...I've had a few talks with her already. Told her she could come close enough to cause everyone to bite their nails off but just when she got 'that close' she'd have to turn and go back to sea. Not sure if she heard me...but hoping so
Quote:
|
We're not far from shore, so if it comes our way we'll probably be staying elsewhere...
|
Good idea. Let's just hope that if evacs are required they evac the right people to right location this time
Quote:
|
I'd like to hear how you have handled calming your kids about a hurricane headed your way -- mine just realized that hurricanes can damage houses and it isn't good for children to worry about these things...any experiences and advice?
|
I've got teens so they have the "totally into it" attitudes. Charley was an odd storm and it didn't "scare them". We didn't even realize we had all of that damage until the next morning. Now they are totally involved in the "let's be sure we're safe" preparations. They are aware of the damage hurricanes can cause but at "that age" where it obviously could never happen to them..."heck it might be fun to have another big storm...until clean up time of course". They're loopy
At any rate, considering their age and attitudes I've just kept them involved in the areas of making ice, filling water bottles, completing the shopping list, pulling all of the flashlights together etc. I think it helps them to feel like everything will be fine, even though bad things could happen, because of the "we're prepared" idea.
Hugo gave us a scare when they were younger and for that one I just tucked them into their beds and when they woke up the next morning everything was normal because he never actually hit...whew.
When they were a whole lot younger, we were actually on an Amtrac train stopped in the FL panhandle waiting for
Hurricane Opal to cross the state. They had no clue what a hurricane was and were just grumpy, hot, and tired after enduring the trip all of the way from Phoenix Arizona...finally making it only a couple of hours from where we needed to be...and then finding themselves halted for an unknown period of time (8 hrs) due to "some storm" they couldn't see.
In short..I'm not much help
I've always been the type to 'say it like it is' to the kids...in terms simple and as uncomplicated as I can so it matches their comprehension level and then to involve them with all of the things we can do to prevent those "bad things" from happening in an effort to build their confidence. For a lil'one with a hurricane coming I would probably avoid the pictures of devestation from the past hurricanes and just explain what happens during a hurricane... REALLY LOUD NOISES, a lot of wind, rain, lightning and thunder and you get your very own flashlight, juice boxes, and snacks etc during the whole thing
I'd even be willing to setup some matteresses like a tent in the safe room... not because it's the 'safe room' but because it's the camp out and party room for their exciting evening ahead... If adults can have hurricane parties..kids should be able to as well! My as well make it as fun as possible so the excitement they are feeling around them can be for the "enjoyable upcoming event" (camping/flashlights/story time/and most importantly Simon Says Rules!) rather than realizing it's tension and fear.
Deb
- Simon Says DUCK!
Hybrid Mode
