Contents
It is almost systematic: at each storm, the children are frightened. It must be said that it can be impressive: the very strong wind, the rain, the lightning which streaks the sky, the thunder which rumbles, sometimes even the hail… A natural phenomenon, certainly, but spectacular!
1. Acknowledge her fear, it’s natural
It is not always easy to reassure your child, especially if the storm is prolonged … We often see the youngest, in these cases, start screaming and crying. A situation which, according to Léa Ifergan-Rey, psychologist in Paris, can be explained by the change of atmosphere created by the storm. “We go from a calm environment to a very loud noise when thunder sounds. Gold the child does not see what caused this uproar, and that can be a source of anguish for him, ”she explains. In addition, with the storm, the sky darkens and plunges the room into darkness in the middle of the day. And the lightning can be impressive … The fear of the storm is elsewhere one of the best remembered, adult.
>>> To read also:“My child is afraid of water”
2. Reassure your child
Many adults, even if they don’t admit it, continue to experience this fear of the storm. Which, of course, is very easily transmitted to a child. Thus, the worried parent may very well tell his child not to be afraid; but his gestures and his voice risk betraying him, and the child feels it. In that case, if possible, pass the baton to another adult to reassure him.
Something else to avoid: deny the emotion of the child. Don’t say, “Oh! but it’s nothing, it’s not scary. On the contrary, take into account and recognize his fear, it is normal and absolutely natural in the face of an event as impressive as a thunderstorm. If the child reacts, runs to his parents and cries, it is a good sign because he is exteriorizing something that has frightened him.
>>> To read also: “How to deal with children’s nightmares?”
If your child is afraid of a storm, take him in your enveloping arms and containers, reassure him with your loving gaze and sweet words. Tell him that you understand that he is afraid, and that you are there to watch over him, that he is not afraid with you. It’s safe at home: it’s raining outside, but not inside.
3. Explain the storm to him
Depending on the age of your child, you can give him more or less complex explanations about the storm: in any case, even to a baby, explain that it is a natural phenomenon, over which we have no control. It is the storm that makes light and noise, it happens and it is normal. This will help calm his fear.
Ask your child to express what worries him the most: the sound of thunder, lightning, pouring rain? give him simple and clear answers : the storm is a meteorological phenomenon during which electric discharges occur, inside large clouds called cumulonimbus. This electricity is attracted by the ground and will join it, which is what explains lightning. Also tell your child that thewe can know how far away the storm is : we count the number of seconds that elapse between lightning and thunder, and we multiply it by 350 m (distance traveled by sound per second). This will create a diversion … A scientific explanation is always reassuring, because it rationalizes the event and makes it possible to appropriate it. There are many books on thunderstorms suitable for all ages. You can even anticipate if a thunderstorm is expected in the next few days!
Testimonial: “We found a super effective trick against Maxime’s fear of a storm. »Camille, mother of Maxime, 6 years old
Maxime was afraid of the storm, it was impressive. At the first clap of thunder, he took refuge in our bed and had real panic attacks. We couldn’t calm him down. And since we live in the south of France, summer is quite common. Of course, we understood this fear, which I find absolutely normal, but this was too much! We found something that was a success: to make it a moment to live together. Now, with each storm, the four of us sit in front of the window. We line up the chairs to enjoy the show, if it’s dinner time, we eat while watching the éclairs. I explained to Maxime that we could know where the storm was, by measuring the time elapsed between lightning and thunder. So we are counting together… In short, each storm has become a spectacle to be seen as a family! It completely evacuated his fear. ”
4. We start prevention
Thunderstorms often occur at night, but not only. During the day, if a thunderstorm occurs during a walk or in the square for example, you must explain to your child what precautions to take: you should never take shelter under a tree or a pylon, or under an umbrella. Neither under a metal shed or near a body of water. Be simple and concrete, but firm: lightning is dangerous. You might as well start doing a little prevention early on. At home, reassure him: you are not risking anything – tell him about the lightning rod that protects you. Your benevolent presence and attention should be enough to allay his fear of the storm.
Frédérique Payen and Dorothée Blancheton