Kids need to be prepped for storms, too

You might have your hurricane kit ready, but have you prepared your children?

Alongside the plywood and flashlights, experts said store up some chats with children, whose fears might not show on the surface as storms brew.

“Now is the perfect time to have that discussion,” Dr. John F. “Fred” Thomas, University of Texas Medical Branch director of Community-based Mental Health Services in the Office of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs, said.

“It’s important to talk to them directly about their thoughts and feelings.”

Thomas was part of a team of clinicians and researchers studying post-traumatic stress in elementary school children in the wake of Hurricane Ike. He is also the father of four, ranging in age from 6 to 21.

“What kids want to know is that, even though there are fearful things out there, there is somebody who is going to be able to take care of them,” he said.

“They are concerned about the unknown, and they are concerned about something that is also fearful for their parents.”

A photographic journal compiled by Galveston elementary school students after Hurricane Ike gives an insight into children’s reactions to disaster.

“I was sad and angry,” Zeke Havard, of Satori Elementary School, wrote in “After Ike: 20 Stores from 20 Galveston Kids.”

“I was confused. I didn’t know what was going to happen. ... I felt like I was being hurried. ... Ike made me mad and sad because it flooded my house and my friends’ houses.”

Talking out such reactions with parents or counselors is important, Thomas said.

“Tell your child that ‘Worrying is normal, but you will be taken care of; we have a plan.’”

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How To Prepare Kids

Dr. John F. “Fred” Thomas, University of Texas Medical Branch director of Community-based Mental Health Services in the Office of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs, offers advice for setting the scene to prepare your child for a hurricane:

• Keep the main thing — reassurance. “Being scared of another hurricane is perfectly normal,” Thomas said, modeling a hypothetical conversation with a child. “But your mother, your dad, your family and lots of people are working to keep you safe; there are professionals that are looking at the weather everyday. The fire department and the police department are active in keeping an idea of what is happening with the weather, and if another hurricane and flood come this way, we’ll have plenty of time to be prepared.”

• Gather information about weather; use reliable weather websites and sources.

• Limit your child’s exposure to the televised worst-case scenarios. “Turn off the drama so they don’t keep seeing photos of Galveston looking like it’s completely submerged in water,” Thomas said. “Children don’t need to be exposed to that.”

• Keep normal routines; maintain activities; have dinner together. Eat regular, healthy meals; take walks together; play games together; spend time together doing something other than watching TV.

• Have the child help in preparing the hurricane kit. “Children like knowing that there’s a plan,” Thomas said. “They like norms.”

• Nail down some coping methods and how to talk about feelings and solving problems. Focus on what you didn’t lose in the storm, or what you gained (new appliances or toys).

• When evacuation is advised, if at all possible, leave when ordered to evacuate (as early as possible) and don’t come back until it is safe for you and your children to return.

• Be willing to go for help. Start with the school system and resources linked to it, including University of Texas Medical Branch’s telemedicine school-based mental health programs. The Family Service Center and the Gulf Coast Center offer resources as well.

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Family Disaster Plan

• Gather information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website — www.fema.gov/areyouready — and the Texas Department of State Health Services “Ready or Not?” website — www.texasprepares.org.

• Hold a family meeting and develop a plan. Several of the listed resources publish guide forms online. Each family member should know what to do, where to go and whom to call in the event of a hurricane. Practice or review the plan several times during the season.

• Plan for your pets.

• Add items to your disaster supply kit specifically for your children, such as books, games or toys. Children can help select items.

• Develop a “worry-buster” plan. Help your child identify their worries or fears. Brainstorm on solutions. Make that list part of your hurricane kit. Be ready to repeat the process several times.

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Resources

• A free workbook for parents and children, “After The Storm: A Guide to Help Children Cope with the Psychological Effects of a Hurricane,” written by Dr. Annette M. La Greca, professor of psychology and pediatrics at the University of Miami and a nationally known researcher on the impact of disasters on children: www.7-dippity.com/docs/After_The_Storm_%282008_Internet_Edition%29.pdf

• Texas Department of State Health Services “Ready or Not?” website, www.texasprepares.org, has family emergency plan forms, emergency kit lists and other information.

• The Galveston County Daily News Hurricane Guide, http://galvestondailynews.com/hurricane.

• “Time to Get Ready: A Hurricane is Coming to Our Town,” a book by Jill Klaskin Press for children ages 4 to 8 about preparation and recovery, with illustrations and dialogue. The book follows Mia and Jonathan’s family, including Elvis the dog, as they get ready for a hurricane, experience the event and recover from the storm. For information, check the website at www.time2getready.com.

• “After Ike: 20 Stores from 20 Galveston Kids,” edited by Nine Francois, produced with help from Susan and Robert Lynch; the Kempner Fund; the Galveston Arts Center; the Galveston Independent School District Foundation; Satori Elementary School faculty members Nina Corley, Sandy Woodlock, and Janet Roy; Satori art teacher Stephanie Thomas; Satori director Billie Rinaldi; GISD teachers Paula Przestrzelski, of Rosenberg Elementary School, and Amanda Kanz, of L.A. Morgan Elementary School; Tim Baker, manager of the Galveston Target store; and Galveston writer Kathryn Eastburn. Order from blurb.com at www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/818972.

• Teen Health School-based Mental Health Centers — Galveston Independent School District provides screening, assessment and treatment for mental health issues free of charge to the families, including help for post-traumatic stress following a hurricane. Parents of teens who attend Galveston county schools can call 409-354-9615 and make an appointment.

• Family Service Center, 409-762-8636 or 888-267-4994. The Gulf Coast Center, 877-226-8780. The Crisis Hotline of Galveston, 409-741-TALK.

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Warning Signs In Children

• Unexplained feelings of sadness or loneliness;

• Troubles with friendships;

• Problems in school, difficulty concentrating;

• Newfound worries about dying at an early age or that bad things will happen;

• Feelings of helplessness;

• Sudden lack of interest in favorite activities; and

• Aggressive behavior.