The children of Florida

[ncbird]

I have not herd if any out reach is being done for the children there in Florida. I can only imagine what they are going through... The stress from all of this is enough to send even the most calm Adult into stress overload, and Adults can at least understand it is mother nature. But the children are having to cope with all this destruction, loss and heartache around them over and over which must seem like never ending to them. I know the agencies down there are being overworked but was wondering if anyone is doing anything for the poor children.

Prays and hugs to all
NCBird

[TS Zack]

Plus School how can you learn something then a Hurricane hits and you have to come back in a week and take a test.

[sfwx]

We haven't been in school here for over 3 weeks. We started the year on August 9th and haven't been back since September 1st. I was back for 4 days before they closed all the schools for mold and mildew. They had plans in place for the children who had problems coping. I really can't imagine what will happen if this storm affects our area now. Ivan gave us 7 inches of rain earlier in the week and many, many people had more water come in their house because their roofs were already damaged. I truly think some families are on the edge. I'm worried sick about the kids too.

Eric

[nolabelplez]

I saw a study done on Post Traumatic Shock. They used to think that making people talk about the event would help them cope. Now they're finding out that it makes it worse, unless the person wants to talk.
We're using a lot of humor in our house. We also keep highlighting the positives (we can make chicken nuggets on the grill).
We homeschool, so we haven't lost school time.
My dad was a teenager in FL in the late 50's, early 60's. He isn't scared by these, because he remembers the active 50's and 60's. Maybe we're teaching our kids now, so they can take care of their families when the cycle hits for them. I was born in the late 60's and I have never been through any of this. (Except for a little from Elena)

[HurryKane]

I saw a study done on Post Traumatic Shock. They used to think that making people talk about the event would help them cope. Now they're finding out that it makes it worse, unless the person wants to talk.

Oh, thank goodness (coming from a non-talker).

We're using a lot of humor in our house. We also keep highlighting the positives (we can make chicken nuggets on the grill).
We homeschool, so we haven't lost school time.

Good luck to y'all.

[drudd1]

The children are a real concern. There are programs set up in all our schools now to address this on an as needed basis. I have a son that is 12, and a daughter 9, and they now know as much about the tropical arena as I do. We got them involved in all the prep, and I educated them on the hows and whys of tropical weather, and let them keep abreast of the situation along with me. I think this has helped. Instead of them seeing everyone in a controlled panic and just waiting for the "hammer to drop", so to speak, they know exactly what is happening, and what to expect. It has taken that fear of the unknown away. That, and the fact that they both have been through two very unpleasent storms this year, and have found out that it'll be okay, just a bit miserable afterwards.

[Dunlopiii]

Maybe we're teaching our kids now, so they can take care of their families when the cycle hits for them.

That's what we think. My oldest yesterday asked if another one was coming, and I answered honestly, that I thought so. He said *Yay! More days off from school* Oh to be 7 again My youngest, 5, doesn't get bothered until after the storms when we don't have power. Atleast we have a generator for this one.

Btw, my first post here, but I've been reading here since right before Charley hit us. This place is great, kinda like my own therapy.

[cinlfla]

I live on the East Coast by the Space Center and I can tell you my son is having terrible storm anxiety he has total shut down at the sound of even a thunderstorm coming he goes into panic mode, I have never seen anything like this before. While we as adults do our best to make liife as normal as possible for our kids they feel more then we give them credit for. While I love storms and will continue to watch every Hurricane season my son is scared to death of them and I honostley do not no what to do to help him. Cindy

[drudd1]

Hey Cindy, how old is your son

[cape_escape]

I'm having problems with my son hose 13, and just moved here in March from Ohio. He was so happy to come here and live, but now, he's begining to wish he could go back to Ohio!

[Doc Seminole]

My kids draw pictures of hurricanes now. It did concern me but they are really doing okay with this. Not having power isn't to bad for them. Actually, it teaches gratefulness.




JOB 37:11-13

[wxwatcher2]

OMG, don't you remember when you were a kid????
Kids cope so much better than adults.
While we adults are stressing, the kids are enjoying the heck out of being out of school.

It's the poor adults of Florida who need your help.

=

[leeanninfla]

I know my kids 13, 14 and 16 are not even wanting to listen to the news anymore. My 14 gets up now and just says... so are we at M yet, or whatever letter is next, in the mean time my 16 is askin if we can become snowbirds and move up north for the hurricane season and back here for the winter. My 13 just asks if one of her cousins can come stay with us for the next one.

I know in Arcadia there is a group of baton twirlers called the Rangerettes, they are sponsored by the Five Star Youth of America, and do help cope with the devistation that Charley has left behind, their coach is offering FREE, totally group baton lessons for the kids, anyone that wants to participate. She is hoping to have over 100 kids this year. My daughters are on a sister team to that group called the Flashettes, down here in Broward County. Many other baton groups and familes have donated batons, shoes, uniforms and other supplies to the Rangerettes so that they will have what is needed to have a successful year.

So far this is the only thing that i have heard that is going on for the kids. Jackie the leader of the group lost her home in Charley, as well as the group lost our camp that had been in the process of being renovated, the camp was an old Historical landmark school, first the roof blew off, then the 2nd floor went flying. Its a shame that all the work put in getting this place ready for the kids of Arcadia has turned to shambles, but at least SOMEONE is thinking of the kids. Thank you Miss Jackie.

[cinlfla]

Hey Cindy, how old is your son

He's 8 actually he just turned 8 on Monday thank god we had a little break so we could have his birthday on Sunday.

[Innotech]

those children arent poor. Theyre probably enjoying time off. Kids often see stuff like this as exciting (so long as they arent in a building in landfall zone)

[cinlfla]

those children arent poor. Theyre probably enjoying time off. Kids often see stuff like this as exciting (so long as they arent in a building in landfall zone)

Escuse me, no my son is not poor but he is scared and not to mention he has Juvenile Diabetes and its been a real b*tch trying to keep his insulin refrigerated during our power outages we could not afford to go out and buy a generator but we do have one now, not to mention his sugar levels hike when he is stressed life in anything but normal here right now because the kids also pick up on the stress the parents are feeling. To keep this post storm related I would imagine if Jeanne does come into the East Coast close to where I am it will just add more stress to everyone here and anyone anywhere that is affected by her.

[Guest]

Come on it is not that bad. Parent anxiety more like it. Watch too much TV

[cinlfla]

Come on it is not that bad. Parent anxiety more like it. Watch too much TV

Um, yes it is I have 2 older girls that are fine they could care less but he is handling it different. I guess it depends on the child. He knows how much I love storms and he also wants to know more about them without having the experience. No parent anxiety here I love these storms just stress from us missing work and bills mounting other then that were good!!!!

[ladygatorslayer]

I haven't heard of any agency in the media that is helping children, per say. Most uneffected schools did things to help such as donating school supplies and donating their lunch money to the relief funds, etc.

My Brother is a foriegn language teacher in Pinellas County. His Schools Spanish Honor Society is concentrating on helping out the immigrants with food, supplies, and money.

I have heard different talking head medical doctors on the news giving tips for parents on how to help your children cope.

As far as therapy, I would say that kids and parents alike can benifit from that right about now.

My bestfriend lost everything years ago in the "No Name Storm". She has always been an emotinally stable person. When "Charlie" came through Polk County, and she stayed at home, she wigged, she thought she was going to die. Mind you, the only thing that happened was she had a tree down, her yard was soaked, and her roof was leaking.

She ended up seeing a therapist because of it. Then, when "Frances" came around, and it was looking more and more like another Florida hit, she had an emotional break down and her husband had to take her back to the Doctor. He prescribed her medication and told her to get out of town. Which, she did. I called her when Frances was coming in, she was in Lake City, fishing, with not a care in the world.

Mind you, she had these emotional problems, and did not loose everything like so many people did this year. I don't understand how many people are coping right now with all that is going on. It's very tragic and heartbreaking.

[Patrick99]

You guys are worrying about the children? sheesh, I don't know about anyone else, but I absolutely loved when tropical storms and hurricanes would threaten. #1, I'd get out of school, #2, we always enjoyed playing football in the front yard, in the wind and rain. I wouldn't worry about the kids.

There's so much more anxiety about this stuff now than there ever used to be, and I just don't feel that it's justified. My dad always tells me about the '50s and '60s - people would just accept the fact that they lived in hurricane country, and would prepare accordingly. There wasn't all this near-panic and hand-wringing over King, Donna, Cleo, Betsy, Inez, etc.