When the power goes out at home what do you do? What about a tornado headed your way? How do you clean up a flooded basement? For many of us that have faced such disasters, we understand how important it is to have a disaster plan. How you deal with disaster in the moment and the days to follow will determine survival and surely how you will address disaster in the future.
Serious question, “What do you do when disaster strikes at home?”
Your child lets out a horrific scream, so you hurry into the kitchen to see what has happened. You find they have cut their hand very badly while trying to open one of those impossible plastic boxes that contains their favorite toy inside. The cut is deep and there is blood everywhere. How do you react? What do you do? In shock, you turn and run full speed out the front door, slamming the door in your kids face, get in the car and drive away from home… without your child. Wait. No! That’s ridiculous and bad parenting. Parents would never respond to a situation like this, unfortunately many do when other types of disaster hit the home…and I have heard too many stories to count.
You and your spouse discover one of the following things about your teenager:
- You find a picture of them on social media drinking at a party.
- You see a text message on your son’s phone from their girlfriend, “I’m pregnant“
- You found evidence of illegal drugs in the house.
- You discovered they are looking at pornography.
- Your child recently ____________________.
Teenagers do stupid things but the same can be true about parents… be honest parents you aren’t perfect either. Perhaps reacting to a flesh wound comes second nature to you or your spouse, but how about when you react to your child’s rebellious choices? How you respond and react to these disasters will highly impact your relationship with them, both now and in the future.
Do you and your spouse have a disaster plan for the family?
Here is a free downloadable/printable worksheet that include some questions and conversation starters parents should consider as they build and evaluate the family disaster plan.
