I have the privilege of hosting another article from Charles Carpenter. He actually submitted this to me back in December. My apologies for the delay! But his content is definitely applicable to our current situation with the corona virus pandemic. The principles of helping our loved ones make meaning and appropriate plans to understand and act effectively in crisis is hugely important. Crises, traumas and losses, whether global, local, interpersonal or intrapersonal, require processes for us to make sense of them to healthily respond and recover. Charles has provided great guidance towards this end.
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California has seen weather-related events of epic proportions over the years. The state has witnessed deadly weather, sustained billions of dollars in damage, and been forced to deal with the aftermath of these disasters.
Children can quickly become frightened, especially if they see mom and dad looking worried. Of course, it’s important that you know what to do in the event of a natural disaster, but your kids also need to understand what’s going on and to feel reassured that you have a plan in place, that everything will be alright because you’re ready for the worst.
That means including your children in disaster planning so they have a sense of control and self-empowerment, and a knowledge of what it means to be in an emergency situation. Keeping them informed with conversation and answering their questions calmly and patiently gives them the tools they need to cope with a scary situation.
A dialogue
Maintaining a dialogue with your kids is a good way to keep them thinking rather than panicking. Start by explaining what causes storms, floods, mudslides, and wildfires, and why California is particularly vulnerable to them. Discuss climate change and its possible repercussions for the area and list some ways you can all help prevent global warming. Spend some time online researching the causes of severe weather or check out a YouTube video that explains the science behind it all clearly and in layman’s terms. If you have teenagers, allow them to express their feelings without judging what they’re saying. Remember, you want to assuage fears by providing information and communicating openly.
Plan
Involve your kids in planning for a natural disaster. Work together to figure out what you should include in an emergency kit, things like first aid items and prescription medications; a change of clothes; a flashlight and batteries; a knife and matches; food and water; and a raincoat or poncho. Tell them they can bring one or two items but no more, and explain why. If you’re being evacuated to an emergency shelter or a converted public building, explain why it’s important to remain there until the weather clears. The more disaster preparation is a conversation in your home, the better your family will handle the situation in the moment, and the safer everyone will be.
Evacuation
When dangerous weather forces evacuations, everyone’s scared and anxious about what’s going to happen to their home and belongings. It’s especially frightening for children when it comes with little or no warning. They need to understand why things are happening, especially since it all takes place so fast. Explain that evacuating is for everyone’s good and that you’re doing everything according to your disaster plan. Make it an intellectual rather than an emotional discussion by explaining in detail why it’s happening, how it happened, and why you’re leaving.
Pet Plan
Pets are one of the reasons why many people choose not to evacuate. In the eyes of a child, leaving behind a furry family member can be a significant source of fear, but pets should never be left behind. For this reason, it is extremely important to have a pet evacuation plan in place. Instead, arrange for a safe haven either with you, a local animal shelter/boarding facility, friends, or family members. Encourage your kids to help you put together a pet emergency kit with food, water, updated tags/photos, first aid kit, and toys. If your pet will be staying elsewhere until the situation subsides, explain to your child that their beloved pet is safe, sound, and happy.
The more information you have in an emergency, the better you’ll be able to cope with the situation and anticipate other problems that might arise. The same goes for your kids. Like you, they need information to better understand what’s happening and why your family is going to such lengths to stay safe.