Natural disasters are scary for kids—even when they’re not happening at home. Watching torrential rains, destructive winds, and shaking buildings can bring out anxiety in the calmest adult, but when you’re a kid, the feeling of powerlessness can be overwhelming.
That’s why it’s especially important to let your child know they are NOT powerless. There is something they can do to make things better—even if it’s just for one person. Knowing they can affect the world in a positive way can give a child courage to face her own small day-to-day challenges and contribute to a positive attitude—even during ongoing global chaos.
Here are a few ideas to help your child save the day:
- Research and choose three relief organizations online. Discuss the merits and good works of each one, and ask your child for advice on which one your family should donate money to.
- Give your child a bag, and ask them to pick out clothing that no longer fits them but is still in good condition to donate to the flood and hurricane victims. Though most relief agencies prefer cash over clothing, organizations like the Salvation Army will sell donated clothing in thrift shops, which provides funding for their on-the-ground relief efforts.
- Organize a fundraising bake sale at your child’s school, and let her help you bake things to sell at the fundraiser.
- Host a diaper drive in your neighborhood or at church. Baby items like diapers, formula, bottles, and sterile nipples are necessities most people don’t really think about during a crisis, but they’re vital to a baby’s well-being. Give your child a duty like counting how many boxes of diapers go into a box or separating the baby bottles by color. Let older kids make posters advertising the diaper drive and post them around town.
No matter how small, any effort to help those in need will make your child—and family—feel better about things and more empowered. Remind them that all those tiny efforts by people all over add up to BIG HELP.
