Mini Preparedness # 7 - About the Kids

Short of having lived through a disaster of some sort, no adult can completely imagine what it will be like.  What about the kids?  Not only will it be a incomprehensible experience but terrifying too.  Who do kids look to for comfort and direction?  Adults.  What will kids do if the parents are panicked and unprepared?  Can you imagine this?  Take just a moment, right now, to think about how these little people will feel.  Just one more thing here - add into all of this the fact that children have very vivid imaginations.  You have now taken the fears of the average adult and multiplied it by 10.

Time to plan for the kids.

Children will look to the adults to guide and comfort them.  If the adults in the group are acting in a calm and calculated manor, the children will likely follow.

Children will need to feel a part in securing their surroundings.  The adults should plan, in advance, what type of jobs the children can do to help with the short and long term set up of their home situation.  A busy and working child will be less anxious and confuse.


You don't want your children to live in fear.  Nobody wants their children to be so afraid of what 'may' happen, that they can't enjoy their daily life.  But there are ways to explain and plan on the possibilities without filling them with fear.  Having a exit plan in case of a fire is always recommended.  Knowing how to use 911 is a must for all kids.  Helping to stock the shelves with emergency foods, just in case there is ever a problem with the store supplies, doesn't have to be scary.  And knowing that there may be times when you don't have daily luxuries such as electric, and need to rely on generators or candle light, again does not have to be a subject that will scare the children.  Especially if you practice this in non emergency times.

Keep the kids involved - doing inventory on the stock items is a great kid job.  You can make it a counting game for the wee ones and math problems for the older kids.  Camping in the living room, with candles power only, can be a party and a great way to practice the simpler life.

Do you camp?  This is a perfect time to practice survival tactics and have fun doing it.  If you are not the 'outdoors type' of family, a living room camp trip could be a great opportunity also.  Think you could spend a three day weekend, living at home, without the benefits of lights, microwaves and stoves?  Just try sometime.

 Educate your children on the types of disasters that may occur in your area.  i.e. - earthquakes, tornadoes,fire, floods, etc..  Also, always teach your kids which adults are OK to follow, if necessary.  And what to do if there are no adults in the house at the time disaster hits.   Nothing could be worse for a child then to be stranded, alone, and not know what to do or where to go. 

For all adults - read.  Even if you believe you have everything covered in your home, with your children, read what others have to offer.  You never know when some little tip may come up that you could benefit from.  A couple of good sources are the Red Cross and eHow.com  Check them out.

That said -

I have children of all ages in my family so kids being prepared is a super important subject to me.  Thus, there is a list of items for those who want to be kid ready.

colored pencils - this is better than crayons or felt markers that can
     melt or dry out.  Don't forget the sharpener.
color books and activity books - cover all ages

construction paper - this is great for kid projects and for making signs, if needed

 
playing cards -  perfect for kids and adults
books - short stories and joke books are great
compass - not only keeps kids busy but could prove to be useful
yarn and instructions on yarn projects
scissors

felt pieces
small games such as dominoes, dice, marbles, kid card games, etc..
     Items that you can use over and over.  You can also make up many
     games with just one item.
binoculars

glow sticks - you can not have too many glow sticks.  they are fun for the kids but essential for lighting in long term situations, where you batteries are going to run out.  I shop at Michaels Stores for a tube of 10 small glow sticks for one dollar.   Then I go to Dollar Tree, where I can get one to three larger sticks for one dollar.  The larger ones are the best when real lighting is needed.
glue sticks - keep in a well sealed plastic bag and check occasionally
     to make sure they are still good.  Rotate them like you do your
     food items.

paper plates, paper lunch bags and any items that your children will find entertaining

The above list may give you some ideas, tho most will have their own ideas.  No matter what your list may contain make sure that the items do not rely on batteries or sources of power. 

Make you list and start thinking about your pets.  That list will be coming soon.