Ah, hurricane season in Florida. It’s coming soon, only a few months away. It’s that time of year when the weather apps become your best friend (or worst enemy, depending on the forecast), and your house feels like a mini fortress with a whole lot of bottled water and batteries. I’m not going to sugarcoat it—hurricane season can be a bit of a rollercoaster for families, especially with kids in the mix. But, like everything in parenting, it’s all about preparation and keeping the stress levels in check.
Nathaniel and I have learned a thing or two about this over the years, especially with Ginny and Adam in tow. These kids love a good storm watch (and by “love,” I mean “are mildly terrified, but find it oddly fascinating”). The trick is making sure we’re all ready—not just for the physical stuff, like stocking up on supplies, but also for the emotional impact the stormy season can have on the kiddos.
First things first: The Prep. Get the “Stuff” in Order.
Let’s be real, we all know the drill. You stock up on canned goods, water, and toilet paper like you’re prepping for a long vacation in the mountains. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself in the store at the last minute, throwing random items into the cart because the news says “It’s a Category 1, but you never know!” Of course, I end up with 20 bags of chips and three boxes of granola bars. Don’t ask me why, I guess I think a hurricane’s more bearable if you’ve got snacks, right?
But here’s the deal: as we prepare for the physical stuff, like making sure the windows are covered and the roof is secure, we also need to prep for what it’s going to do to the kids. For Ginny, she’s been through enough storms to know that the whole process is a little bit like a weird camping trip—but with more rain. Adam, on the other hand, is still young enough to get a little freaked out. And you know what? That’s okay. It’s natural for them to feel anxious when the skies turn gray and the wind starts picking up.
Keep Things Calm and Cozy.
One of the best things we’ve found during the whole storm prep is creating a cozy “storm survival kit” for the kids. Ginny and Adam each get a small backpack, which they can help fill with their favorite snacks, books, games, and toys. We’ve even made a tradition out of packing a “storm movie kit”—you know, the DVDs (yes, we still have them!) and the popcorn we know they’ll love. It’s one of those things that makes it feel more like an adventure, rather than something to be afraid of.
Pro tip: If you have a dog, like us, don’t forget their essentials too. It’s amazing how much more relaxed the whole family is when everyone feels prepared, even the four-legged family members!
Addressing Kids’ Fears: Emotional Well-Being is Key.
The real emotional impact of hurricane season doesn’t come from the wind—it comes from the waiting. The waiting for the storm to hit, the waiting to find out if it’s going to turn, and the unknowns that keep kids up at night. And trust me, they will stay up. Ginny’s got this thing where she’ll stay awake, counting the hours until the storm’s supposed to pass, and she always wants to know exactly what’s going to happen next. “Is it going to be like the last one?” she’ll ask, her voice a little shaky.
The thing I’ve learned is that it’s important to talk about their feelings, to let them know that it’s okay to be scared. I make sure to have those calm, quiet moments where I just listen to her talk—about how loud the thunder was or how she’s worried about the power going out. I remind her that we’ve been through it before, and we came out just fine.
For Adam, I’ve found that he responds well to visuals, so we’ll draw pictures of what’s happening—like how hurricanes form or what the difference is between a tornado and a tropical storm. We’ve also got a “storm tracker” where we can color in the path of a storm as it moves, so he can see what’s coming and when we’re almost done with it. It doesn’t take away the fear completely, but it helps him process it better. And let’s be honest, it gives us something else to focus on besides the impending doom of a storm.
Keep the Routine: Yes, Even During a Hurricane.
Now, I know the idea of keeping a routine during a hurricane might seem impossible (you’re probably thinking: Um, Miriam, it’s a hurricane…), but I’m here to tell you, it can help more than you think. Kids thrive on routine—it’s one of the things that helps them feel secure, even when the world outside is going a little crazy. If the storm’s keeping us inside, I try to maintain some semblance of normalcy. Bedtime stays the same, we keep the same snack time, and I let them have some screen time (yes, I said it), so they can zone out to something familiar.
I’ve found that sticking to a schedule, even a loose one, helps Ginny and Adam stay grounded. Yes, there’s a big storm outside, but in here, we’re still doing the things we always do, and that feels safe. When the power goes out, it’s like we get a whole new routine—flashlight storytelling, anyone?
Turn It into a Family Bonding Experience.
I mean, as much as we can, we try to make it fun. When we all gather together in the living room, blanket forts and flashlights in tow, I’ll often remind the kids about all the things we’re lucky to have: a roof over our heads, food to eat, and the fact that we can weather any storm together. We’ll talk about other people we know who are prepared, and I’ll tell them funny stories from my childhood (which always includes me hiding under the kitchen table during a storm, thanks, Mom).
And, let’s be honest, there’s something about that “hurricane party” vibe where the whole family gets to hunker down and just be together. Sure, there are moments of stress, and no, I don’t always feel totally put together (who does?), but at the end of the day, it’s just another chapter in our family story. And as much as the storm might be a little scary, the memories we make inside are what stick.
So, yes, hurricane season is here again. Let’s get prepared, make it fun, and remind the kids (and ourselves) that no matter how wild the storm gets, we’ve got this. Together.