August 21, 2024

How to Help Children Cope with Extreme Weather

Learn strategies and coping skills to help youth deal with the impacts of extreme weather.

Summer brings bountiful sunshine and opportunities to spend joyful time with loved ones and friends. This time of year also brings anxiety for many of us who are coping with extreme weather events, including heatwaves, wildfires, and the Atlantic hurricane season.

Children – particularly those living in historically marginalized communities – may be “more likely to have their health put at risk from extreme weather due to greater exposure and fewer resources available to build resilience,” according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. A survey by Education Week also found that 37% of teenagers feel anxious about climate change, and more than a third feel afraid, overwhelmed, and/or helpless.

Christina Rodriguez is a national advisor at Healthier Generation specializing in trauma-informed approaches. Using the Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS) principles as a guide, she shares strategies and advice caregivers can use when helping youth deal with the impacts of extreme weather.

Preparing for extreme weather

As you and your loved ones prepare for incoming or ongoing extreme weather events, fostering a sense of safety and predictability and empowerment and collaboration is key to helping children navigate the situation, Christina says. “Provide any facts you have and talk through your plans in an age-appropriate way. Be sure to include your children in your plans as well.”

For example, you can say:

“We’re going to lay out sandbags and put some wood on the windows to keep the house safe and dry. If we need to evacuate, we plan to drive to your grandmother’s house and stay there for a few days.”
“Would you like to help me lay out sandbags?” Or “Would you like to come with me to pick up water?”
“Let’s put together a small bag of your favorite toys to bring with us if we leave.”

Addressing your child’s concerns

When children express their concerns about extreme weather events, Christina says it’s important to listen to understand rather than to fix. “As caregivers, we are quick to jump into fix-it mode. This is understandable – we love our kids, and we don’t want to see them hurting. But when we jump into fix-it mode we are missing out on a great opportunity for connection with our kids and supporting their resilience.”

When having a conversation with your child, show them you’re listening by putting away any distractions (like phones), making eye contact (if that feels comfortable), and not interrupting them. “Sometimes, all children need is someone to listen and hold space for their feelings.”

For example, you can ask:

“How are you feeling about hearing the news about the hurricane? Is there anything you’re worried about?”
“Do you have any questions for me?”
“How can I support you right now?”
“What would make you feel better?”

When your child expresses their feelings, you can respond with affirmative statements like:

“I hear you.”
“You’re right, this is scary.”
“It’s completely normal for you to feel this way.”
“I’m here for you.”

Using a feelings chart can be helpful for younger children. You can also co-create plans with your child to help manage feelings.

For example, you can say:

“When you feel worried, you can listen to your favorite music, talk to me about your feelings, or write in your journal if I’m not available.”

Coping with trauma and stress

Everyone responds to stress differently. While some of us may become sad, quiet, or withdrawn, others may become anxious, angry, or scared.

“There is no right way to respond to stress. Many different reactions are normal,” Christina says. “Think about what your child is like when they are at ease, content, and calm. Then, look for any changes to that behavior to clue you in to how they are managing their stress.”

If you’re concerned about your child’s response to stress, Christina recommends seeking mental health support and referrals through your school, medical provider, or community mental health clinic.

“In addition, if your child is practicing self-harm or having thoughts of suicide, I would suggest you immediately seek support via the Crisis Text Line and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also go to your local emergency room.”

Trying to keep any routines that you have, even if they are small, can be helpful to maintain a sense of normalcy.

For example:

Continue to practice bedtime routines like reading a story together – even if you’re spending the night in a different place.

Caregivers should also set realistic expectations. Elizabeth Cook, senior director of Whole Child Health at Healthier Generation, says, “Sometimes, in our attempt to reassure people we care about, we make promises about situations that are outside of our control. This can erode trust between child and caregiver if the outcome is different than what was promised. Instead, acknowledge their concern and let them know that they are safe in your care.”

For example:

Share plans with your child so they know what to expect. You can say: “We may be without power for a while. We can go to __ house tomorrow to charge our phones.”

Managing emotions at school

It’s normal for kids to be overwhelmed when returning to school after a traumatic event. Christina recommends caregivers work with kids to identify how stress is showing up for them.

“Make a plan to manage stress as it shows up throughout the school day. Caregivers and kids can look through examples of different coping strategies that are easy to practice.

For example, you can say:

“When I feel worried and my heart races, I can take a drink of water and take 10 deep breaths.”

Christina says it can also be helpful to share these plans with trusted adults at school (such as a teacher or school counselor) so they are aware and can step in to support when needed.

For example, you can ask:

“Does the school counselor have open office hours where students can drop in?”
“Are there calming spaces available in the school that students can use when they feel overwhelmed?”

Educator leads emotions exercise with student.

Relationships can also be healing, so some students may benefit from talking about and processing a shared experience together. But for others, this can be overwhelming. Christina says. “If there are students who fall into the latter category, it’s okay to set boundaries with their peers. They can say, “It’s a little tough for me to talk about ___ right now, I’m not quite ready. Can we talk about something else?”

Supporting recovery efforts

Some children and teens may feel motivated to help the community recover after a major weather event. Christina says getting involved can be healing, as it helps build relationships and fosters a sense of empowerment.

“My advice is to make sure that your child is ready to participate. It's okay for them to focus on their own well-being before helping others,” she says. “I recommend caregivers join their child in these activities so that if big feelings or reactions come up, they can process it together. People will likely be impacted differently based on socioeconomic factors, so it’s also important to keep cultural humility and equity at the forefront of our minds."

Practicing self-care

As a parent or caregiver, you are navigating your own feelings and concerns while trying to support your child. Christina encourages caregivers to practice self-regulation techniques, including deep breathing, affirmations, prayer, or counseling to avoid reaching burnout.

For example, you can:

Practice deep breathing while you feed your child or prepare dinner for your family. You’re more likely to practice the coping skill if it’s tied to something you are already doing.

“Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask other adults for help – lean on your village during difficult times.”