Ice storms.
Subzero temps.
Tornados.
Floods.
Severe thunderstorms.
Straight line winds.
Just another day in Minnesota.
I don’t know how the weather is in your state, but here, bad weather is just another day at the office.
It keeps us on our toes. Prevents boredom from setting in.
Wherever you live, I’m sure you have your own unique bad weather to make your day interesting. And bad weather CAN be interesting, especially for children. Their curious little hearts are often fascinated by the power of nature.
Why note take advantage of that?
Take the opportunity to make a sometimes uncomfortable situation into a teachable moment.
Use it for some intellectual and spiritual growth.
Here’s how to do that.
Bad Weather as a Teachable Moment
What are some of the things you can teach your child when weird weather wields its wild winds?
You can teach them about that particular type of weather. What conditions make it happen? How does it affect your area?
Teach them about weather forecasting. What does the weatherman mean when he talks about low pressure systems or a warm front?
Look at the weather across the country. Were other states affected by the same weather system? What is happening in other areas of the United States? The NOAA website can be helpful for answering these questions.
Explain emergency procedures for your home. What should every member of your family do when a certain type of weather system approaches? What does everyone do during the storm and after? Do you have a designated meeting place in the event that you get separated? What about pets? All of these things should be discussed ideally before bad weather hits, but it’s also good to remind your children of procedures when a storm is coming.
Teach your children how to react to emergency situations through your example. Stay calm. Do what is necessary to keep everyone safe. Your children learn how to handle tough situations by watching you.
Teach them Emergency Procedure #1: Prayer. They can pray while they are running to the basement or when the electricity goes out or when the storm is approaching. God can help them, calm them, soothe them, and guard them. They need only ask for His help.
Teach them to trust in God. He is always watching over them. Let them know that. That’s something special that they can carry with them into any emergency situation.
Bad weather doesn’t have to be all bad. It can be an opportunity to learn and grow. Share that with your children.
Did you find this useful? If so, share it with others so that they can use these tips too.