Fall is a magical time for kids, filled with changing colors, leaves underfoot and seasonal fun. But as the temperatures shift and air masses collide, there are chances of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and hail — not to mention winter blizzards and heavy snowfall. Adults understand how to stay safe, but for children, out-of-control weather can feel very scary. What can you do to help?
Understanding Children’s Storm Anxiety
Children thrive on routine and knowing what is expected of them. When that faces disruption by a powerful weather event, anxiety is common. Little ones cannot rationalize the way we can. They may feel the danger is much greater than it is, and this fear can become all-consuming if not handled carefully. Children may worry about:
- Being cold
- Whether their pets will be OK
- Being stuck inside
- Not being able to see their friends
- Being in the dark
When kids experience a severe climate event, up to 71% develop posttraumatic stress — but the good news is that the presence of a parent during the event is a strong protective factor. You cannot hold back the weather, but as a dad, your reassurance and support make a real difference in how your child prepares and bounces back.
Signs That Your Child is Worried
Your little one might simply tell you — but often, the signs are more subtle. Look out for sleep disturbances and bad dreams, tummy aches, bedwetting, tearfulness or being overly clingy.
Older ones might obsessively watch weather forecasts or express concern about whether you will be safe when you leave the house. Tantrums and bad behavior can also be signs of a deeper anxiety.
How to Prepare Your Kids for Storms
Whether your child is already worried or not, now is the time to gently prepare them for what might lie ahead. Here’s how.
1. Use the Weather to Cue Your Conversation
A few years back, my boy asked me one night why the wind sounded so loud outside his window. For us dads, these are perfect chances to talk about storms in a way that won’t scare our kids.
You can use falling leaves, colder nights and rainy, blustery days as conversation starters.
| What You Might Say | Why It’s Useful |
| “Brrr, it’s getting chilly outside! Remember how warm it was in the summer? Looks like winter is on the way!” | Gives you a chance to explain the basic premise of it getting so cold that the rain might freeze and turn to snow and ice. |
| “Look how the trees are getting ready for winter by dropping their leaves. That helps them stay strong in the cold weather. People have to get ready for winter, too!” | Normalizes household preparations like gathering flashlights, batteries and blankets. |
| “What a windy and rainy day! Sometimes the wind and rain can get even stronger. That might make the power go off for a while. Let’s think about how we can stay cozy if it does!” | Introduces the concept of power outages lasting for a while, but reassures that you will be comfortable and safe. |
Keep your conversations casual and calm, but truthful. If your kid asks questions, answer them. If they ask about a serious disaster like a tornado, it’s tempting to brush it off with “We won’t ever have a tornado, don’t worry!” — but try not to. It breaks the bond of trust between you. Instead, say something like “That’s very unlikely, but you know what? Whatever happens, I will be here to look after you.”
2. Make a Family Plan for Seasonal Storms
Planning for fall and winter storms — and involving your child in the process — calms anxiety. It shows your little one that the family is prepared. Fear is catching, but so is confidence. If they see you being confident about the preparations, they will feel more secure.
Review official preparedness advice for power outages, heavy snowfall and blizzards. Share this with your kids at an age-appropriate level and let them help check off items. Put together a step-by-step emergency plan and discuss safety risks and precautions. Have them help clean up loose items around the house and make sure they know a safe place to stay while the storm passes.
Remember to include how you will care for pets during an emergency — often a big worry for youngsters. Prepare your car, too, and show that you are keeping emergency supplies in the vehicle just in case it breaks down during a blizzard or you get stranded.
It’s all about calmly demonstrating that you have things in hand.
3. Give Kids a Job to Do
It can be helpful to assign children easy roles in the storm preparation. For example, your little one could be responsible for something like:
- Gathering up flashlights to put them in a central location.
- Choosing family games to have accessible during a power outage.
- Filling a small backpack with toys or a blanket they’d like to have close by.
Assigning a specific role reinforces the idea that storm prep is a team activity — you are all in this together.
If you need to purchase items — for example, the Red Cross recommends having two weeks of supplies in case stores are closed or you cannot leave the house — take your kid on the shopping trip and let them help.
4. Practice for a Storm
Every so often, call a family practice session. This has a serious purpose, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! Rehearse what you will do in a grid outage or if you need to stay warm.
One chilly November evening last year, we turned off the lights and pretended the power was out. My son took his job of handing out flashlights very seriously and even made sure our dog had a blanket. It turned into a fun little adventure for both of us.
5. Weathering the Storm Itself
If you do find yourself in a severe situation, stay positive and reassuring when the lights go out or the wind howls. Your kid looks to you as their role model and guide. If you remain calm, they will too. Remind them that you are well-prepared.
Indoor camping or board games by flashlight can be charming, as long as you are not in imminent danger. Try to relax and treat it as a memory-making experience.
6. Celebrate Teamwork and Resilience
Once the storm has passed, congratulate yourselves for having seen it through. It’s a good time to address any lingering fears or to address what you might do differently next time. After a big snowstorm, my son surprised me by saying he felt proud that we’d stayed calm and worked together. It reminded me that even tough experiences can help kids feel stronger and more confident.
Raising Resilient Kids, One Storm at a Time
As dads, we want to shield our kids, but the weather doesn’t always play ball. However, good preparation makes a big difference. Every storm is a chance to model how to handle tough situations — and that it’s OK to feel a little nervous. By talking openly, practicing and planning ahead, you can help your children grow into confident, resilient people. And honestly, I think I learn just as much from my son in a storm as he does from me.