Most North Texans feel a mixture of unease and awe when thunder crashes, lightning flashes and the tornado sirens start blaring (though we’re always grateful for the rain that comes with). Many families, however, would prefer to skip the show given the emotional havoc storms wreak on their kids. Updated March 2014
If volatile weather sparks a wave of panic in your child, calm storm preparation, soothing relaxation techniques and a dash of Weather 101 may help ease his fears.
1. Prepare in advance
Begin managing weather-related anxiety with calm, confident preparation.
“The most important thing that parents can do is prepare their children for severe weather way before it happens,” says Dr. Edward Christophersen, pediatric psychologist. “Parents need to be cognizant that their behavior directly influences their child’s behavior. So, parents should very calmly practice their threatening weather procedures.”
Create a severe weather plan with your family. Designate a safe area in your home, preferably a basement (for those lucky few who have one), or a bathroom or closet in the middle of the house on the lowest level. Store a storm safety kit in your safe area that includes a battery-powered weather radio, flashlight, blankets, a pair of leather gloves and safety whistles.
With storm season imminent, take a few minutes several times a week to conduct family storm drills. When threatening weather happens, calmly follow the plan you and your family practiced. Avoid anxiety-provoking behaviors like nervous pacing or anxious hovering around the weather radio or TV.
2. Learn to relax
Play weather sounds for your child while you’re relaxing together, playing a game, eating dinner or while she’s doing homework. Begin with very gentle sounds like a light rain and slowly progress to more serious rain and thunderstorms.
“The rationale here is to get the child to pair or associate weather sounds with frequently occurring activities that are not anxiety provoking,” Christophersen says.
Download free weather sounds to your laptop or smartphone. iTunes offers a free application called “Sleepmaker” that Christophersen recommends.
3. Teach her the science
Steve McCauley, meteorologist for WFAA Channel 8, facilitates weather presentations at local schools throughout the year. He finds that explaining the nature of tornadoes and how storms work can ease the kids’ worries. “I just tell the kids that storms are only doing what the rules of nature tell them they must do,” he says. “As long as you know what to do when they threaten, you will likely be just fine.” He then teaches the students the safety rules for different types of weather so they will feel prepared, not scared.
You can also teach your child about the weather at home. During a gentle, non-electrical rain, grab an umbrella and head outside with your youngster and discuss how the rain helps give the grass a drink. If you have an infant, stand under your garage or porch and put her hand out into the rain to feel the raindrops.
When to Seek Help
Children commonly experience specific fears or phobias, but typically phobias wane as kids grow older. If your child’s phobia lasts more than six months and impairs her ability to participate in daily activities, find an experienced anxiety disorder therapist with supervised clinical experience in treating phobias. Christophersen says a reputable therapist will likely conduct a standardized anxiety screening. Avoid therapists who want to start therapy by giving your child an IQ test.
Freelance writer, wife and mother Christa Melnyk Hines, finds the changing seasons as fickle as a cantankerous toddler.
