Natural disasters can destroy homes and lives in a matter of seconds, and are very scary for children and adults alike. After the disaster strikes, even if you are lucky and have sustained no injuries and minimal property damage, your kids will be shaken up. Coping with a natural disaster takes time, patience and lots of opportunity to connect as a family.
Step 1
Find a safe living space for you and your child if your home has been directly affected by a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, flood or earthquake. If possible, recover items that are special to your child such as a stuffed animal or a favorite book, .
Step 2
Tell your children that you love them and that you will get through this challenging time together. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention— or CDC—stresses the importance of reassuring children of all ages that you will learn to cope with disaster together as a family.
Step 3
Keep your child in as normal a routine as possible, including sending him to school if schools are open. When a school or community is struck by natural disaster or tragedy, counselors are available to help children process their feelings, explains the National Association of School Psychologists or NASP. Your child is likely better off continuing his daily routine with his friends and having the additional support of school staff.
Step 4
Encourage your child to talk to you about her feelings of sadness, fear, anxiety, guilt or anger about how the natural disaster has affected her life. The CDC explains that these feeling are normal, and may be exhibited through crying, restlessness, feeling distracted, and having trouble eating or sleeping. If verbalizing emotions is difficult for your child, suggest writing down her thoughts in a journal as part of the healing process. NASP suggests coloring or drawing as a coping mechanism for younger children.
Step 5
Limit your kids' exposure to media coverage of the event, suggests the CDC. Your child may be interested in hearing the latest news, but constantly reliving the events can be draining and after a period of time can hamper emotional recovery efforts. Watch the news or read newspapers together so you can explain anything that's hard for your kids to understand about rebuilding or rescue operations.
Step 6
Let your child run around and play, even if you have limited time and space available to you in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Releasing some energy and physical tension can be healing and helps keep your kids participating in normal activities.
Step 7
Resist the temptation to correct regressive behaviors immediately following a natural disaster. NASP explains that younger children may become clingy and exhibit forgotten behaviors such as thumb-sucking and bedwetting. Older children may pick fights with friends or siblings or withdraw from their peers. These behaviors are normal and to be expected in the immediate aftermath of a life-shattering event, but should be addressed by a mental health professional if your child does not seem to "come out of it" over time.
Things You'll Need
- Mental health professionals
- Journal
References
- National Association of School Psychologists: Helping Children After a Natural Disaster: Information for Parents and Teachers
- Scholastic: Talking to Your Kids About Natural Disasters, War and Violence
- Federal Emergency Management Agency: FEMA for Kids
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Helping Parents Cope With a Disaster
