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Hurricane Season
Helping to Alleviate Your Child's Fears
By Laura Cone
Taylor says children may become frightened during hurricane season because they feel helpless and don't understand what's going on. "Parents can be good role models for safety," she says. "When local authorities are saying it's time to evacuate, the best thing to do is to evacuate in a timely manner."
Riding a storm out when authorities have called for an evacuation may be uncomfortable for your child, Taylor says. Children may also become nervous if they evacuate with friends or other relatives, but their parents or siblings stay behind. "They know they are going to safety, but if someone in their family is not going with them it can cause a lot of fear," she says.
Taylor says parents should involve children in their preparedness plan. She suggests talking ahead of time about what they will do, how they will get information and where they will go. "Also, include children in getting supplies ready," she says. "Share as much information with children about what will happen and what to expect. Take them shopping, help them assemble the supply kits, have them pack their own backpacks, things that are ready to go so they are ready in case a hurricane does come their way."
Following a major storm, try to involve your child in age-appropriate activities. While they should not be around debris and glass, they may be able to help in the recovery in small ways.
Taylor says children do not always talk about their feelings when they are upset. Don't assume your chld is not afraid if he or she keeps quiet. "If they are not talking about things, parents might think they are not upset," she says. "We know that's not always the case. Sometimes, children don't talk about their fears following a disaster because they don't want to upset their parents. If parents can take a proactive approach in bringing those things up in conversation, they will have a better understanding of how their child is dealing with it."