As stressful as the damage caused by a bad storm or a fire can be for adults, natural disasters have the potential to be even more emotionally taxing on children. You can help your children remain calm in the face of a natural disaster by preparing them for its consequences ahead of time and regulating your own emotional response to the stresses caused by a natural disaster.
Prepare Your Children in Advance
Children who are aware of the possible consequences of a natural disaster before they occur are more likely to stay calm when something goes wrong. Talk with your children about what can happen when a storm hits, such as the fact that your lights may go out for a while. Prepare your children for the people they might see during a disaster, such as policemen, firemen or paramedics, so that they won’t be afraid of these strangers. Lastly, if your children are old enough, teach them the steps they can take to help during a natural disaster, such as calling for help to the appropriate emergency numbers or family contacts and shutting off utilities such as gas.
Present a Calm Face to Your Children During an Emergency
No matter how young they are, children tend to pick up on the emotions of their parents and will look to their mother and father for signals as to how they should feel and act themselves. If faced with a natural disaster, staying calm around your children and not showing fear or anxiety is one of the best ways to help keep your children calm.
If you are faced with storm or fire damage following a natural disaster, a specialist can help repair and restore your home. Contact your Atlanta disaster repair services provider to find out how they can get your home back to normal.