Thunderstorms can be scary and fun at the same time. Living in a canyon allows us to experience very loud storms as they roll through, quite often in the middle of the night.
"I personally love the energy that comes with storms and find myself in a state of gratitude for the rain, the cleansing, and purging that takes place in the area the storm is rolling through." ~ Carol
One thing we've found is children and pets will often react depending on how we react.
Excitement or fear is contagious. Children and animals will feel/read your energy and react accordingly. Demonstrate how to stay calm and supportive.
Here are some of the reasons kids are afraid during thunderstorms.
Volume and frequency – Many people love the sounds produced by a thunderstorm, but for children, it can be a bit overwhelming. The intense sounds created in a thunderstorm often rattle the windows and pictures on your walls. To calm your kids, teach them how to estimate the lightning’s distance. Count the seconds between the lightning and the time the thunder is heard. Sound travels about one mile in five seconds. It is a great way to occupy their minds and teach them a little about science in the process. (If you homeschool you could plan a whole week of activities surrounding storms.)
Reactions of others – If an adult portrays fear and lack of confidence in front of a child, they may believe there is a reason to fear the storm. They pick up on our emotions and make them their own. Even if you are not comfortable with storms, make sure you let your kids know it is no big deal and if it becomes a big deal you'll take the steps to make sure everyone is safe.
Myths – Often children are told fictional tales about storms in hopes that their fears will be calmed. Unfortunately, these frequently backfire, causing more fear than before. A number of adults have reported that they were told that the sound of thunder was actually God bowling in heaven. A few mentioned that they feared the bowling ball would fall through the clouds and kill them. Children don’t always have the ability to distinguish truth from fantasy.
Bad experiences – If your child has already had a frightening experience during a thunderstorm, the next storm may not be easier. Discuss what will happen and where you will go in your home to be safe. Try to make the time as fun as possible. Go to your safe basement location. Pull out the games and snacks. When it’s over, celebrate your child’s bravery. Hopefully, it will make the next storm a little less scary.
Connecting the storms – When children begin to associate thunderstorms, lightning, and tornados together, fear isn’t far behind. Help them understand that not every thunderstorm produces a tornado, hail, or strong winds.
Sirens – While these are used to help protect us, they can cause overwhelming feelings of fear in children. Make sure you discuss the importance of the sirens on a day when they are being tested. Make a plan with your child for when the sirens go off if your child is at home, at a friend’s house, or even at school. Having a plan can give children a sense of control in a frightening situation.
The Unknown – Storms don’t follow exact patterns. It would be easier if you could go through a checklist to know when the end was in sight. The unknown in any situation can often be the most frightening. However, all storms do eventually come to an end, an assurance you can always give.
Media – We watch weather-related footage provided by the media, in awe of what can be produced by hurricanes, tornados, etc. If you are going to watch media coverage of weather events with your kids nearby, take the opportunity to discuss it with your child. Talk about the options you have in place in your home to help reassure them of their safety.
Dramatic changes – Weather changes in thunderstorms encompass loud thunder, bright flashes of lightning, and large amounts of rain. For a child, it can be sensory overload. Try to find a quiet place to wait it out, or provide distractions to help your child not focus on the noise. This could be a good time to allow tablet time with headphones, pop some popcorn and read together or turn up the music and have a dance party if the power is still on.
Movies – Often movies create scary moments during thunderstorms and “natural” disasters. The sound put out today by home theater systems is amazing! We buy these systems to “feel” as if we are in the middle of the moment portrayed on screen. For a small child, “feeling” the storm shown on your big screen HD TV may be too realistic. If you choose to view them at home…be ready to share your bed with your child when wind and rain hit your home for real.
Help your child to understand what is happening in the atmosphere so they feel safe. Make sure they have their own flashlight, so they won’t be afraid of the dark if the power should go out. Make a plan, which includes safety options for a variety of situations, so your kids will feel they are equipped to make wise choices wherever they are. If discussions don’t calm their fears, have distractions available to occupy your child’s mind while you wait it out together.
Supporting The Inner Light Of The Children,
Carol Lawrence and Stacy Toten
Parents, We have free gifts waiting for you.
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