Refrain from telling your children how to feel or how long their feelings should last. A child who feels afraid is afraid. Children need support and opportunity for expression about potentially frightening events, like floods, fires, or storms. Although you may not have all of the answers to their questions, you can provide a calm, loving presence and a safe place for children to gain assurance. Helpers Help your children know that after a flood, fire, or storm there will be people who will be finding and helping people who have been hurt.
Children like to know that people are helping.
With your children, plan ways they may be able to help older or disabled persons in your community after the flood, fire, or storm. Helping gives children an opportunity to do something for someone else and gives them a feeling of satisfaction. Things Adults Can Do Adults should recognize that when a flood, fire, or storm occurs children will have both physical AND emotional needs that will need attention. Be sure you take care of yourself so you can take care of your children. You are little good to them if you are not able to provide the leadership that your children need and deserve.