One evening, my eight-year-old looked up from the news and asked, “Mum, why do people live in places where disasters keep happening?”
I paused, tempted to offer a simple answer: jobs, family, history. But instead, we opened a map, traced the coastlines and valleys, talked about wildfires in California, floods in Bangladesh, and the communities that call those places home. That moment turned into a conversation about climate, risk, and how people support one another when things go wrong.
It reminded me that some of the most meaningful values, like compassion and responsibility, often begin with questions just like that.
Natural Disasters are Rising and Kids are Noticing
Current data shows that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more intense. According to the World Meteorological Organization, climate-related disasters have increased fivefold over the past 50 years, ranging from wildfires and floods to droughts and cyclones.
Scientists explain that warmer global temperatures fuel longer heatwaves, heavier rainfall, and more unpredictable storm patterns.
- Wildfires now burn nearly twice as much land each year as they did two decades ago.
- Flash floods are impacting both coastal and inland regions at growing rates.
Children might not grasp all the data, but they see images of collapsed homes, scorched forests, and flooded schools, and they hear our conversations.
Turning Fear into Empathy
Psychologists found that counting acts of kindness over one week boosted happiness and gratitude. Why not harness this in our parenting? Instead of shielding children from news, involve them in age‑appropriate ways:
- Story time with purpose. Read stories about real families recovering from hurricanes—there are plenty of picture books and news features that humanise disasters. Ask your child, “How do you think the little girl felt when her house flooded?”
- Empathy jar. Every time your child does something kind—sharing toys, helping a sibling—drop a coin in a jar. When the jar is full, donate the contents to a hurricane relief fund. Explain that each coin represents kindness for another family.
- Creative fundraising. Host a lemonade stand or bake sale with your children. Then let them choose a cause, let’s say, a recent hurricane disaster, and donate the money to a trusted organisation accepting hurricane relief donation. Kids love seeing how their effort translates into real help.
A lesson in Preparedness
FEMA’s Deputy Administrator reminds us that emergencies can happen at any moment, so individuals and communities should be prepared. Preparing for a flood or storm might seem remote if you live inland, but it’s a useful teaching tool. Ask your children to help build a family emergency kit.
Show them how to store water, pack a change of clothes, and organise a flashlight. Then, broaden the conversation: “If we needed help after a storm, who would we rely on?” That question bridges personal preparedness with community responsibility.
Modelling Generosity as a Parent
My husband and I recently sat down with our kids to review our monthly budget. We showed them categories like mortgage, groceries, and savings. Then we added “giving.”
We explained why donating to disaster relief matters, because not everyone has insurance or savings to rebuild after a storm, flood, or wildfire. We showed them the Red Cross website, where their support can provide meals, blankets, and temporary shelters.
The beauty of these conversations is that they demystify money. Children learn that money isn’t just for buying toys, it’s a tool for kindness. It’s okay to tell them you can’t give to every cause; the lesson is about intentionality, not perfection..
Balancing Honest Feelings
It’s also okay for kids to feel scared. Natural disasters can be daunting. Let them voice their fears. Then counter with stories of heroes—neighbours rescuing neighbours, volunteers driving across states to help, communities rebuilding stronger.
The data may tell us disasters are becoming more frequent or intense, but it’s the human stories that inspire hope.
Final Thoughts
In a world of increasingly severe storms, floods, and wildfires, we have a choice. We can turn away and hope our kids don’t notice, or we can engage them with empathy and action.
Use the next natural disaster season as a teaching moment: discuss the science, prepare your home, involve your children in a disaster relief donation, and highlight the joy research links to acts of kindness.
By doing so, you’re not just raising weather‑wise kids, you’re nurturing compassionate citizens who understand that generosity is as essential as any emergency kit.
