Parents Get Ready for Unexpected Events
Parents want to protect their children when surprising circumstances arise. Whether utility service has been interrupted or you’ve been unexpectedly stranded, there are ways to be prepared. PREPARED, NOT PANICKED Panic is a great danger in an emergency – as mentioned in the article: RULE OF 3′S TO SURVIVE. Children will pick up on your emotion. Your preparation will make you confident so that your children will draw strength from you. THE NEED FOR A ROUTINE Look for creative ways to implement a daily routine for the sake of your children. A parent instituted routine is comforting to the child. PASTIMES Amusements help pass the time when you are unable to travel. It is unlikely that you will have access to a source of power to operate electronic games. Craft supplies are wonderful to have on hand; this includes play dough, scissors, paper, tape, markers, glue and other assorted items. Take the time to introduce your children to board games, dolls, toy cars, blocks, puzzles and reading in order that they will be welcomed ‘old friends’ should they need entertainment. It is also wise to keep educational materials stocked (items such as work books, flash cards, pencils, reference books, etc.) in the event you find organized schooling is no longer an option. MAINTAIN YOUR HEALTH Your dental health and other health conditions should be tended while you have access to remedies and treatments. Rather than neglect those annoying aches and pains, take steps to remedy them so they aren’t a factor in an emergency. Remember to keep any necessary medicines in stock. Get into the habit of observing the sleeping, eating and toilet patterns of your family members so that you will detect illness early and be able to deal with it proactively. Train yourself to take note of the impact of circumstances on those around you. It is easy to become consumed with your own difficulties and overlook warning signals that others may need help. CULTIVATE AN APPRECIATION FOR REAL FOODS The foods you consume today will affect your health tomorrow. Children that are trained to be picky eaters could do themselves harm by refusing to consume needed nutrients. A pallet can be taught to appreciate the taste and texture of REAL foods, but the exercise is complicated by taste buds dulled on sugars and processed foods. Take time to introduce new foods gradually in the diet. Learn about nutrition and basic food preparation – and teach your children about these things also. INFANT AND BABY CARE Proper care of a baby doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Contrary to advertisements, babies can thrive without cribs, bouncy chairs, carriers, disposable diapers, pacifiers, music boxes, and other assorted gadgets. An infant’s needs are simply to be fed, warm, dry and clean. Nursing an infant is a skill that can be learned. Even if you should choose to give your infant bottled formula, it is in mother and baby’s best interest to invest the time to breastfeed during those crucial first months. This can help insure that the smallest family member has a ready supply of nourishment. For bottle-fed babies, you will need to keep formula in stock. Infants require protection from extremes of cold and heat as their bodies aren’t yet able to regulate temperature. Babies need to be shielded from the summer sun. Umbrellas are useful for this application. In the winter, dressing little ones in layers protects them from the cold. Zippered fleece sleepers can be placed over long thermal underwear for nighttime warmth. Sharing a bed with 2 or 3 others helps everyone stay warm at night. Wool socks, hats and zippered fleece jackets can keep babies warm during the day. SANITATION Daily baths won’t be possible if water is in short supply or if temperatures are very cool. Find the warmest spot in your living quarters and teach your children that they should wash their faces, hands, feet and privates every day. Before meals, have them wash their hands. As conditions may not be ideal, this precaution is well worth the trouble to maintain everyone’s health. Take the time to teach older children about latrine construction, placement and proper disposal of waste. USEFUL ABILITIES Children become more confident as they gain life skills. Give your children the gift of learning how to do such things as shop wisely, stock a pantry, pitch a tent, build a camp fire, cook, sew, garden, repair small engines, perform first aid, CPR, and swim. Understanding what to do during a fire drill, how to fend off an attack and having practiced other scenarios are real confidence builders. Prepared children aren’t as likely to fall apart emotionally. When preparedness is made part of your daily living, your children will be better equipped to deal with emergencies. Rather than face the unknown with desperation, you will have a plan and your little ones will know what to expect. Strengthen your family today with these measures. Unexpected circumstances present parents with challenges in caring for their children. No matter whether you’ve been stranded or if your electric service has been interrupted, planning ahead helps you deal with the unexpected.
PREPARED, NOT PANICKED
According to the RULE OF 3’s TO SURVIVE, it is dangerous to panic in an emergency. Young ones will mirror your feelings. Your preparation will make you confident so that your children will draw strength from you.
THE NEED FOR A ROUTINE
Find opportunities to institute some semblance of a routine in your children’s day. This is comforting and offers a sense of stability from the parent to the child.
ENTERTAINMENT
When you find yourself isolated, the ability to amuse oneself is a necessity. It is unlikely that you will have access to a source of power to operate electronic games. Keep craft supplies on hand: crayons, markers, paper, play dough, scissors, tape, etc. Spend time with your children working puzzles, board games, dolls, blocks, toy cars, and reading books so that they have an appreciation for ‘low-tech’ entertainment. Have educational materials (workbooks, etc.) on hand in case organized schooling is not an option.
PREPARE FOR GOOD HEALTH
Your dental health and other health conditions should be tended while you have access to remedies and treatments. It is far better to meet unexpected events with well-maintained health rather than ailments worsened by neglect. Stock any medicines required by your family members. Make note of the eliminations, sleep patterns and appetite of each family member so that you will detect quickly if any are becoming ill and treat them at the first sign of sickness. Rather than focusing on your own challenges, take some time to become a student of others so you will be the first to recognize when someone in your party is being adversely affected by circumstances.
AVOID FAKE FOODS
The foods you consume today will affect your health tomorrow. Picky eaters can become ill if they refuse nutritious foods. A pallet can be taught to appreciate the taste and texture of REAL foods, but the exercise is complicated by taste buds dulled on sugars and processed foods. Take time to introduce new foods gradually in the diet. Basic real food preparation and nutrition should become hot topics for learning and teaching in your home.
INFANTS & BABIES
Proper care of a baby doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Contrary to advertisements, babies can thrive without cribs, bouncy chairs, carriers, disposable diapers, pacifiers, music boxes, and other assorted gadgets. Babies need to be kept fed, clean, dry and warm.
Breastfeeding is a learned skill. Learning to breastfeed is a wise investment in the health of both the baby and the mother. This can help insure that the smallest family member has a ready supply of nourishment. Don’t forget to keep formula on hand for babies fed from a bottle.
Infants aren’t able to regulate body temperature and must be protected from extremes of heat or cold. In summer, protect babies from direct sun. Employ an umbrella for protection. In the winter, dressing little ones in layers protects them from the cold. Zippered fleece sleepers can be placed over long thermal underwear for nighttime warmth. Sharing a bed with several persons will also help keep everyone warm at night. During the day, wool socks and a hat help little ones keep warm along with a zippered fleece jacket.
SANITATION
Daily baths won’t be possible if water is in short supply or if temperatures are very cool. Find the warmest spot in your living quarters and teach your children that they should wash their faces, hands, feet and privates every day. Insure that hands are washed before eating and before meal preparation. This is important for healthy hygiene in rustic conditions. Take the time to teach older children about latrine construction, placement and proper disposal of waste.
EXPERTISE
Children become more confident as they gain life skills. Children will benefit immensely from learning lessons about how to perform CPR, first aid, gardening, swimming, building a camp fire, how to stock a pantry, pitch a tent, shop for supplies, sew and repair small engines. Knowing self defense, what to do in a fire drill and practicing other scenarios builds confidence. These children have a plan and aren’t as likely to panic.
Emergencies will be handled better by children that have been trained in an atmosphere of preparedness. Rather than be fearful, your young ones will understand what is necessary to manage a crisis. Strengthen your family today with these measures.
About the Author
Please see the book To Train Up A Child by Debi Pearl for more helpful parenting tips.
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