We're not in Kansas anymore Dorothy... we're in Raymond?!?

Tonight spurred a lengthy discussion in - you guessed it - natural disasters.  Tornadoes in particular.  Last month was earthquakes and tsunamis after the catastrophe in Japan.  Tonight....it was based on videos and photos of 'God's Country' (as my mom calls it) - Raymond.


I remember about 15 months ago when the Haiti earthquake struck.  My work was very involved in collecting canned foods and toiletries for the Lutheran Church Charities to hand deliver to Haiti.  We felt the need not to shield them from the consistent news coverage of devastation and destruction, and in turn - actually let them watch CNN coverage and exposed them to it - explaining it to them - and took the opportunity to share what we do - as structural engineers - and how important it is to live and work in a safe place.  It was important for them to understand that earthquakes can't be avoided, but living somewhere safe that is built in a quality fashion may help protect people from some of these unpredictable events - and that was also equally important for us to convey.  We took them with us to bulk purchase the canned goods and staples from Aldi and Jewel Osco - and deliver to the church for loading on the semi.  At the end of the day, we felt that not only just exposing them, but educating them about natural phenomena was actually a great learning experience that also taught them to think of those less fortunate - those that may not be able to afford to live in safe home like we do.

Well, they were 3 1/2 at the time of Haiti - and now they are 5.  When Japan's earthquake struck, the talk quickly turned to comparing it to Haiti - and understanding what a Tsunami was.  THEN, we opened up our vacation book of our 2004 trip to Thailand, 30 days before the tsunami hit there.  I thought the kids asked a lot of questions - well, this just elevated the 'question asking' to the MAX.  "Why did you go to a place not safe?" "Why does God let people get hurt in earthquakes?"  "Will we die in an earthquake?". 

Man - I love how our kids are inquisitive, but at the same time - we would spend hours and hours on these talks.  Mostly at bedtime.  Kaiden is very well known 'in these parts' for looking for ANYTHING to delay bedtime - including open-ended conversations on complicated topics - mostly on topics that we don't know the right and wrong answers to :)  Like...."Mommy, will Lake Michigan's waves come all the way to Homewood?".  Wow....I can't just say "No".  I have to explain it.  So....for the next 20 minutes, I explain how a tsunami really works, why Homewood can never be struck by a Tsunami...and why you need to go to bed NOW!

Three weeks ago we traveled to California.  I remember one time in the airport when the twins were talking seriously to each other - and standing very still at our gate in the airport.  They were trying to feel the earth shake - seriously!.  Their teacher even told me that 2 days before we left for vacation...she casually asked them, "Oh, you're going on vacation to California?!?  What's in California?".  And guess what Madyson answered- Not the Golden Gate, Not Alcatraz, Not Yosemite, or even San Francisco or Napa.  Nope....she says:  "EARTHQUAKES!"

So....maybe we took things too quick and explained things too early - who knows?  But, I know we're not going to be the type to shield our kids and just plug them in front of Spongebob for the night.  So, last night when the devastation struck Central Illinois, we felt it was equally important for them to understand what our friends and family were experiencing, via the wrath of a tornado.  As you can imagine, we were flooded with questions tonight such as:  "Why does a tornado pick up a swing set but not a trampoline?"  "Why do some people's houses get blown away, but not Grandma's?"  Really, all were great valid questions that we really struggled to answer.  We shared some of the videos and pictures with them that were posted today, and in the end, a great discussion of how thankful we should be that everyone is all right - and that we are all safe here. 

So, what do we talk to our kids about and what do we shield them from?  I don't think there is a right or wrong answer....but I do know something.   Kids are sponges and they love to learn - so if you do decide to expose them to our raw natural world, put your whole self into it.  Explain it.  Provide details.  Encourage them to ask questions.  In the end, you will reap the benefits later on - ten fold!

For those of you that missed the coverage, here are some great images and shots from the day.  My parents have electricity again...and no major damage, so all is good.  Raymond was spared mostly.  God's Country is still safe :)

       

The infamous picture spurring the talks above.... Courtesy of my friend, Kimberly Denney.