Helping Families Cope with Drought By Ty Andrew, Agricultural Communications Student Drought is defined as a long period of abnormally low rainfall, especially one that adversely affects growing or living conditions. It can be a bothersome life change to the farm and family. Dealing with such a crisis can be devastating if families are not taking positive steps to improve the situation.
Attitudes play an important part in stress management.
The more control a family believes it has over its own destiny, the more likely it is to manage a drought positively. In a crisis, family members should make a conscious effort to pull together and work through the natural disaster. Unlike a tornado or an earthquake, drought can be predicted through warning signs in weather patterns, giving producers and families a chance to prepare by making important decisions. Families that cope with other stresses in their lives are more likely to successfully cope with drought because they already know how to deal with adversity, said Randy Weigel, human development specialist with UW Cooperative Extension Service. Facing the problem and actively seeking solutions is the most positive and productive approach to dealing with trauma.