Parents want to protect their children when surprising circumstances arise. No matter whether you’ve been stranded or if your electric service has been interrupted, planning ahead helps you deal with the unexpected.
PLAN NOT TO PANIC
Panic is a great danger in an emergency – as mentioned in the article: RULE OF 3′S TO SURVIVE. Little children are sensitive to your mood and will become overwrought if you are upset. 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.
AMUSEMENTS
Amusements help pass the time when you are unable to travel. Electronic games won’t likely be available. 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. Have educational materials (workbooks, etc.) on hand in case organized schooling is not an option.
HEALTHY ON PURPOSE
While you have access to treatments, make sure you are maintaining your health and dental care. It is far better to meet unexpected events with well-maintained health rather than ailments worsened by neglect. Remember to keep any necessary medicines in stock. Observe closely the eating, sleeping and toilet patterns of your loved ones in order to catch and treat illness early and decisively. Train yourself to be observant of the impact circumstances are having on your loved ones. Otherwise, it will be easy to remain focused on your own challenges to the exclusion of others.
EAT REAL FOODS
The foods you consume today will affect your health tomorrow. Picky eaters can become ill if they refuse nutritious foods. It is possible to introduce children to a variety of real foods and cultivate an appreciation for them, but it can be difficult if these vital foods must compete with processed and extruded processed calories and sugars. Take the time to introduce children to a wide spectrum of foods. Basic real food preparation and nutrition should become hot topics for learning and teaching in your home.
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. Babies need to be kept fed, clean, dry and warm.
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. Keep a good supply of formula stocked and on hand for bottle-fed babies.
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. Employ an umbrella for protection. Layering clothing in the winter will help protect little ones from the cold. At night, long thermal underwear can be worn beneath zippered sleepers made of fleece. Two or three persons sharing a single bed helps to retain warmth during the night. During the day, wool socks and a hat help little ones keep warm along with a zippered fleece jacket.
CLEANLINESS
When water is in short supply or the temperature becomes very cool, it isn’t necessary to enjoy the luxury of a daily bath. Locate the warmest area of your living space and teach each child how to quickly wash face, hands, feet and privates each day. Become diligent about washing hands before meal preparation and before eating. 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 that have gained life skills will be more confident in strange situations. Teaching your children how to shop, stock a pantry, pitch a tent, build a camp fire, sew, repair small engines, perform CPR, first aid, garden and swim is an investment. With the experience of knowing how to defend against an attack, what to do during a fire drill or other scenarios, a child will be much more self-assured. Prepared children aren’t as likely to fall apart emotionally.
Making preparedness a part of your life will help your children avoid panic when moments are crucial. 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.
