Be Prepared
TRISHA
Our family is a Scouting family. Both our kids are active scouts. A main theme of scouting is “Be Prepared”. As our town was snowed in under 27+ inches, I thought I’d mention some of the things we did to get ready. Note, we used to live in the Midwest … so “being prepared” is not a new concept to us. We simply traded tornadoes for blizzards. A little planning goes a long way, especially when kids are involved. Our list ….
1. Hit the store. Nothing worse than running out of your kid’s favorite when you literally can’t leave the house. I want to be clear …. DON’T HOARD! Nobody needs to that much TP in their garage. However making sure your supply is there for key items such as prescriptions, vitamins, diapers, fruit & veggies, milk, whatever it might be for your family. Don’t forget your pets! If you can’t get the dog walk, make sure they have something to chew to compensate.
2. Power outage supplies. Batteries/flashlights, lanterns, tea lights and matches, bottled water, you get the idea. We’re lucky to have a lot of camping gear, including warm sleeping bags and snow clothes, but refresh your memory of where it is, so you don’t have to go digging in the dark. If it’s a major heat wave, get some extra ice ready so you don’t lose your food. If it’s below freezing and you lose power for a long time, drain your pipes and hot water heater. Pipes can burst when they thaw, and you DO NOT want that!
3. Check your house. Make sure you know where all your vents are so you can clear the snow off of them. Make sure that sump pump is working if you have one. Identify windows or basement areas that might leak and keep any eye out. There’s not a whole lot you can really do about it, but a known issue is less scary than a surprise.
4. Make a plan of things to do with your kids. Pick some things that are “snow day/rainy day/heat wave” activities only, like a special food or a long, drawn-out board game. Blanket forts are great, make slime, build a huge Lego city, watch all the Star Wars movies (again?!) whatever will seem special to your kids. Involve your kids. Have them make their “kit” ahead of time for loss of power.
5. If possible, have a special something held off in reserve (for that moment when you just might lose it). It doesn’t have to be new or expensive, maybe something they haven’t played with in a while or an involved craft you never seem to have time to do. If the snow/rain/heat is as bad as they say, having something exciting will help the whole family take their mind off things for awhile.
6. Stay safe and call for back up if you need it. Keep your phones charged and keep an ear out for emergency shelters in your area as well as evacuation orders. The US has had more than its fair share of fires, storms, flood’s and earthquakes lately, and each area is different. It might seem like overkill, but you should know what to do in your area if things go bad.
7. Hang in there, breathe, and know that very soon, everyone will be saying, “Remember when…” Even when we are at our most stressful points in life, our children are watching. Teach them to plan, to be organized, and to ultimately be strategic. We are in an amazing time where in most cases we can predict the future. Be hopeful, be thoughtful, but also be analytical and be prepared. It’s one of the greatest gifts we can pass on to our kids.
Everyone has had their moment in one aspect or another that has tested our resolve. Remember to stay safe, keep calm, and have a plan to be prepared.
