Storms Create Appropriate Fears

Driving my son home from Day Camp we hear the sound one never gets used to. The city tornado warning sirens. Its a frightening, ominous sound. A wale that sends shivers down the spine. He began to get scared. I reassured him it was going to be okay and that I would keep him safe. Being fascinated with tornadoes I watched the sky. Nothing near us that I could see. The sirens continued. I hurried home with him more concerned about hail on my new car. He then asked me "you never get used to it either?" I told him that is a sound that frightens me too. I love to watch storms roll in, but that siren is one of a kind. A sound that one never gets used to hearing even though in the midwest we hear them all time. Too me there is no other sound like it. No other sound can evoke such strong spontaneous emotions. He seemed relieved that his fear was "normal" and that his father also feels afraid sometimes. This fear is what I call reasonable or appropriate fear. It is a fear that motivates, prepares, and alerts. It says "protect yourself and those you love." Forget the stuff, who cares about the new furniture? Time to move and take cover. Its supposed too. Thats what the warning is for. You should be afraid. You should feel fear; its a normal reaction to an appropriate fear inducing event. Similar fears would be a notice that your house is being foreclosed on, or that lay off notice from your company. Feel afraid? I would too. The kids won't fear these particular things but grown ups do. Its okay to communicate that you feel afraid to your child. Add to that a plan of action. Reassure the child that it is your job to protect them and that you will keep them safe at all times. This will alleviate anxiety but don't expect the reasonable fear to go away until the storm passes. In addition reassure the child that the storm always passes, the skies will clear it will be better. Sounds like a metaphor for life in general doesn't it?