I grew up in the south. I lived in Tennessee and Kentucky for many years and experienced lots of tornadoes. We moved into a neighborhood where a couple of months before the houses one block over had been completely destroyed by tornadoes. I developed a huge fear of dark clouds and high winds. Even today, in Northern Michigan where we have very few tornadoes and severe weather, I am always checking the weather channel and consumed with the bad weather the southern states are experiencing right now. We did not have a basement and would run across the street to our neighbors house to be safe from the potential tornado. My sister is actually worse than I am. She lives around high trees and is very fearful in high wind storms. I think over time I have coped by realizing that we do not get that type of weather where I live. Even when we do have threats of tornadoes they are very weak and do not last very long. I also think I have had to have a more subtle reaction to the weather so as not to put unnecessary stress and fear into my boys. They have a tendency to internalize a lot of my fears and have worked really hard to shield them from that. Overall, I think I would not be able to live in an area with severe weather anymore. I deal with a lot of snow about 7-8 months of the year. Someone from the south might prefer the tornadoes and severe weather over the snow. It is a matter of what you are used to I suppose.
World Vision has the following suggestions on ways to talk to kids about natural disasters:
(Techniques to use with all young children, not just ones that experience a natural disaster)
- Listen to them, do not worry them
- If you do not know answers, admit it
- Tell the truth about any relatives who have been affected
- Follow media reports privately
- Concentrate on making them feel safe
- Give children creative outlets
Special effects natural disasters have on young children that experience a natural disaster:
- Return to thumb sucking or bed wetting
- Clinging to parents
- Nightmares
- Fantasies about the disaster never happened
- Crying and screaming
- Withdrawal and immobility
- Refusal to attend school
- Inability to concentrate
Tips on how to help those that experienced or witnessed a natural disaster:
- Praise and recognize responsible behavior
- Draw pictures of the disaster
- Talk about what happened
- Assure your child he or she is safe
- Spend extra time with your child
- Relax rules
World Vision, "As tornado destruction continues, World Vision offers 8 tips on how to talk to kids about disasters and tragedy" May 26, 2011. PRNewswire-USNewswire
Tracey,
ReplyDeleteI live south of you, central Ohio. We experience more severe summer weather than you do but nothing compared to what's being going on in the south and west! I too have an extreme fear of tornadoes. I have no idea where it comes from but I think it's because they are so unpredictable and we have so litte warning when they are coming.
Children live through natural disasters every day. I often worry that they don't get the services they need to cope with the aftermath.
Tracy (spelled right this time!)
ReplyDeleteIn response to the side note you posted on my blog....from your blog, go to design and then templates. There are a few backgrounds to choose from. I'm sure there are plenty more floating around but I'm still too new at this to have a clue!
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine living with that worry as a child. We had some high winds in Oregon the other day and I asked my kids can you imagine if you had to live with the thought a tornado coming? I feel for the children and families who have to deal with this type of devistation and loss. Thank you for sharing your story.
Alissa
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI lived in Wyoming until I was in my late teens. I have watched tornados come within feet of our home and others homes, I however, never actually lost our home, just trees and sheds. That is terrifying. I am so sorry that you had such a traumatic experience. Thank you for sharing your story.
Schlee :)