by Lorie Grant DeWorken

Created on: November 06, 2008   Last Updated: April 05, 2009

Kids can face serious trauma when put in such bad weather situations. Having to evacuate a home, sit through strong winds and rain, dealing with power outages - all of these things can be frightening to adults so why wouldn't they be even more so for children? There are a few things we can do to prepare our children for these intense situations though.

Give Them Knowledge

First, give them what we adults have - knowledge. Knowledge is power, after all. Talk to your children about what may be coming. Have conversations about people that you know who have been through similar situations. Explain it to them in realistic but positive terms as something that your family will deal with and overcome together.

Read books to them. You can check your local library or book store for children's books about snowstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, power outages or flooding. And if you can't find exactly what you're looking for, don't be afraid to become a storyteller yourself. Tell them about a hero or heroine who got through a bad weather situation and how they did it. Giving kids information about what they might experience and people they can identify with can take a lot of the fear out of any storm that might be coming their way.

Give Them Control

Another thing that adults have in bad weather situations that kids usually don't is some form of control. Grown-ups often make plans and prepare in a hurry while kids are left to watch. And seeing mommy and daddy run around like crazy doesn't tend to reduce the fear factor.

When appropriate, include your kids in the emergency planning. Let them know what you'll be doing and where you'll be going. Ask them for their ideas and answers to simple planning questions when you can. (Where are your family's emergency meeting spots? How and who do they call for help? What should be packed in case of evacuation?) These kinds of questions keep them informed, keep the fear at bay and give them some input and feeling of control at the same time.

Another way to put control in your child's hands is to give them a job to do. It could be as simple as keeping the family pet company so it won't be scared. It could be unplugging all the lamps or gathering blankets. Depending on the age of your child and the type of weather you're facing, there are any number of things kids can do to help. This is a great use of time and energy and will let your child know that there is something he can do to help himself and your family get through the situation.

Give Them

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