Weathering the Storm: How Change
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Families who weather a particularly bad storm are likely to experience
stress. Anytime there is an undesired change, there is potential
for stress. When children are involved, it is important that
parents understand the affects of such stress and to know what
they can do to help their family cope.
Emotional affects differ from person to person, depending on their
experiences and temperament and depending on the severity of the
storm. Some may feel as though a storm was a traumatic while
others might see it as much less significant. For children, any
change can be stressful, especially prolonged changes. Parents
can tell a lot about their child’s mental wellness by observing
their behavior.
Signs of stress may include:
- Changes of habits (eating, sleeping, anything out of the ordinary
- Regressive behavior
- Sleeplessness
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability
- Poor eye contact
- Fidgeting
Although we all experience stress from time to time,
prolonged stress can have short or long-term effects on
children. Parents can take steps to reduce stress and help their
children cope in these ways:
Try to have fun and remain positive. Although we can not control
the weather, we can certainly control our reaction to it.
Talk about feelings, normalize the situation, and LISTEN. Giving
children permission to talk about the stressful events can help
them process and understand what they are feeling.
Talk about what is happening, and what is expected to happen. We
may not know when the electricity will return, but we can
explain that the situation is temporary and reassure children
that they are safe.
Be supportive. This is a time of uncertainty, and children are
likely to need extra affection and nurturing. This is a time to
work through issues with patience and understanding
Remain consistent. Keeping a routine helps children feel that
they are supported and safe, so let them know what is going to
happen, and stick to a schedule whenever possible.
Involve children in solution finding. When children are feeling
irritable, it can be comforting for them to help in the decision
process. Perhaps they can decide which game to play or decide
which food to eat.
Take care of self. It is much easier to be a supportive parent
when we take time for ourselves. This includes getting plenty of
exercise and eating well.
Utilize external support. Many families find situations such as these as a time for bonding. If you need help, reach out and ask for it.
Last update: Friday, August 29, 2008
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