Tips to get your family emergency plan in place
When faced with an emergency, it is important to have a family emergency plan in place. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Choose an out-of-area contact – someone each member of the family can call or e-mail in case of an emergency. This person can help family members stay in touch and get back together if they are separated. Be sure to pick someone who is far enough away so as not to be affected by the same situation.
- Decide on temporary accommodation – such as a friend’s place or hotel, where you can stay for a few days in case you are evacuated. This may also be where you will meet if you are separated during a disaster. When choosing your shelter, remember that bridges may be out and roads may be blocked. (Don’t forget to plan for your pets – they are not always welcome in emergency shelters or hotels).
- Use a template to prepare your own family emergency plan. Give a copy to each member of your family, your out-of-area contact, your children’s school (possibly their usual sports facilities as well — arena, pool, etc.) If you live in a residential facility or an apartment building, an emergency plan should be available on-site. Learn the procedures to follow and your role in case of an emergency.
- Post important numbers near your telephone or program them into your cell phone.
- Check emergency plans at your children’s school or daycare. In case of emergency, you should know if the school will keep your children until an authorized adult comes to get them or if they need to find their way home by themselves. Determine what kind of authorization the school requires to release your child to your representative if you cannot get there yourself. Ensure that the school knows your current contact information and that of the people authorized to collect your children for you. Give them a copy of your family emergency plan. Find out about the emergency plans of your children’s schools. Help your children understand all that they must do when an alarm goes off.
- Check emergency plans at work. Find out about the emergency plan at your workplace. Ask questions: What would be your role in case of a disaster? What are the evacuation procedures? Is there an alternate work site in case of emergency? Keep important numbers — including fire, police, ambulance — near your telephone.
- Practice your emergency plan as a family at least once a year. Practice often helps people feel less disoriented and better organized in case of a disaster — even in the middle of the night or the middle of winter.
Children’s Bedtime Rituals
More than thirty percent of all kids have a difficult time going to bed or keeping a standard bed time. Kids will be inventive to stay up late. Much of this has to do with fear of separation from their parents. Regular bedtime rituals can help alleviate some of their insecurity.
Bedtime is important and parents should spend twenty minutes or half an hour each night connecting with their children at bedtime. This is a perfect time for the kids to share their day and unwind. Small children look forward to this uninterrupted time with Mom and Dad.
Keeping a standard schedule will help with getting kids to go to bed without a fight. When at all possible put the kids to bed at the same time every day. Consistency builds security in children. They like to count on things being the same.
Bath time before bed is an excellent way to get the kids to settle down and get ready for sleep. This can be included in the time set aside for bedtime rituals. A nice warm bath will help children relax and unwind before bed.
After bath time, if the child is young, read a story or a chapter of a longer story. If age appropriate, have the child read to you, or take turns reading pages. Stories can be soothing and relaxing. Stories also excite the imagination and give happy thoughts to fall asleep to. Leave time to discuss the story and get your child’s input. Not only with this show you value them, it will keep them excited about reading.
Take time to rub their back and let them talk as the fall asleep. This lets them get anything out that might be bothering them or making them fearful. A teddy bed or doll may help as the child transitions to sleep. Some kids are afraid of sleeping alone, having a bedtime buddy can help ease their fears.
End the evening with a prayer. Give your child an opportunity to talk with God and build relationship with you. At the end of the prayer, tell your child you love them, hug and kiss them goodnight and leave them to fall asleep. Have a phrase like, “Sweet dreams, I love you”, be the last words you say each and every night.
Building a consistent routine will help keep peace in your house and help your child respect boundaries in other areas of their lives as well. If they have a schedule that is enforced, it will make bedtime less hectic and stressful. Remember, it is your responsibility to set the tone for bedtime and alleviate any fears your child may have going to bed.
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