How do parents talk to their kids about the flooding in Central Texas?

First, allow the child to approach you and see what type of questions they have. Let them speak freely and stick to age-appropriate facts, while also validating their emotions or what they might be expressing.

You do not want to give them too much information or detail because they may become more overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious about the situation.

How do you make your child feel comfortable approaching you with their concerns and emotions?

We always want the child to approach us without us putting our perspective into the situation. I would try sitting at the table together, bringing out what they love best. For example, a 5-year-old might like to color, or a 12-year-old may enjoy crafting. Let them take part in the activity and ask them how they feel about the recent events.

 If they do bring it up, this is when you can put them at ease by talking through their feelings. You can tell them, "Okay. Let's do this activity together and as we're doing this activity, let's express how we are feeling."    

Let them guide the conversation. Listening and answering questions age appropriately while reassuring them.

Why is it important to have conversations with your children?

We must talk to them because not talking about it can cause trauma, distress, anxiety and even PTSD. Children might see the news and reflect on themselves, thinking, "It could happen to me."

Parents and caregivers should explain that you are there for them. If the child is going to camp and has concerns, families can come up with a plan to offer reassurance.

What should parents do if their child is worried, but they, too, are grappling with their own emotions?

If you are not ready to have the conversation, we can assist them or have the other parent/ caregiver step in.  It is always great to have someone who is calm and collected, rather than someone who is anxious, overwhelmed and distressed, because you will just pass on that anxiety to the child.

Cook Children’s wants to reassure parents and caregivers that you are not alone. If you are not ready to have the conversation, you can seek professional help.  Learn more about Cook Children's behavioral health services or to schedule an appointment for your child, contact 682-885-3917.

When should you seek out professional help?

 If your child is having symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Feelings of overwhelm
• Feelings of helplessness
• Jittery
• Difficulty concentrating
• They are not able to do their daily routine.

Learn more about Cook Children's resources online and behavioral health services.  Families can access mental health resources 24/7 through MHMR by calling 1-800-866-2465.

Cook Children’s is here to help, know you are not alone. We are providing resources below to help support you and your child. Talking to one another and seeking assistance is a vital first step in healing. 

• If your child needs additional support, please reach out to your child’s pediatrician. We have lots of resources here: https://www.cookchildrens.org/health-resources/mental-health/
• You can also access local mental health resources for your family 24/7 through MHMR by calling 1-800-866-2465.
• To learn more about Cook Children's behavioral health services or to schedule an appointment for your child, contact 682-885-3917.
• The Parent Pass app also has many resources for families: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/parent-pass/id1597475361

Social Media posts: Please feel free to share these resources from our Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

I left the medical center and started the trek home. Within a few minutes, I knew it was a bad idea. Not only was it pouring, but it clearly had been for a while. The streets were filled with water. Lots of water.

After I made the phone call to my coworkers telling them it was unsafe to drive and to stay at the office, I realized that I needed to hurry to higher ground. I continued to drive cautiously.

The next 15 minutes were terrifying. I saw cars floating and people swimming on the road in front of me. My first thought was I need to get to a street that isn’t flooded. I turned onto a side street and ended up at an intersection that I knew my car couldn’t get through. The big SUV in front of me was driving through it and the water was hitting the car door. So I decided to back up. The only problem was there were cars behind me now.

I was stuck. Nowhere to go. I watched the water go from inches deep to over 2 feet in a matter of seconds. I found myself panicking. I mean seriously, I would never be stuck in a flash flood, right? Well I was.

I didn’t know what to do. I work at a children’s hospital and preach about safety to friends and family all the time. Now here I was, in a situation that I didn’t have a clue how to handle.

Do I get out? Do I stay in the car? Do I swim to higher ground? The water was so rough. It was literally swirling around my car and getting higher and higher.

Fortunately, either by the grace of the man upstairs or pure luck, all the cars behind me started to back up so I was able to do the same and eventually made my way to higher ground.

This was my first and definitely the LAST time I ever want to be in this situation. But just in case it happens again, I wat to be prepared. So I contacted my buddy at the Fort Worth Fire Department, Battalion Chief Richard Harrison and he gave me some good tips:

1. Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
2. Do not drive into flooded areas.
3. If floodwaters rise around your car, when water is not moving or not more than a few inches deep, abandon the car and move to higher ground. You and the vehicle can be swept away quickly. Call 911 in case of an emergency.
4. If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay in the vehicle. If the water is rising inside the vehicle, seek refuge on the roof.
5. If your car is parked in an area that is flooding, don’t go after it.
6. Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

Chief Harrison says these same rules apply when you are in the car with a child, but make sure you give yourself more time to react. This is true if you have to leave your vehicle, especially if you have a car seat. It will take time to get out. Because of this, you have to heighten your awareness with everything going on.

Also, reassure your children that everything will be Ok and try to stay calm. I know I sure could have used my mother the other day.