How To Care For (And Entertain) Kids During A Blackout

Let's face it. We all know deep down inside that there really is a monster under the bed, a stinky, drooling thing that has power over us in the dark. When there is a blackout, this nocturnal creature shows even less mercy, at least according to children. Blackouts may be awful for adults, who find themselves suddenly unable to navigate traffic lights or make a cup of coffee, but for kids, they are unsettling on an even more visceral level. Suddenly, the power is gone and so is normalcy. Life suddenly feels like it is being lived on quicksand, with no end (or light) in sight. This is when adults can morph into heroes, able to leap their own anxiety in a single bound. Need to comfort a kid during a blackout? You may just wind up simultaneously calming yourself if you follow these simple tips.

Safety First – Power outages can occur at any time of year, bringing with them melted groceries, pitch-black conditions, uncomfortable temperatures and less-than-optimum air quality. Safeguarding your home against power outages and their resultant blackouts is a non-negotiable must if there are kids in the house. Check with the local authorities on their recommendations for power usage tips year-round and always opt for energy-efficient appliances that reduce your carbon footprint and electrical output. If you have a child with asthma or a health condition which might require life-saving equipment such as a nebulizer or apnea monitor, installing a backup generator will not only nab you a medical tax deduction, but should also be a must-do part of your safety action plan. Also make sure to have enough non-perishable food, water, medicine and supplies on hand to get your entire family through a three-day period of time without power, and don't forget the cookies.

Power Up – Even if you have a backup generator and maintain electrical power, your child may need added support and distraction, particularly if the outside world experiences a power outage that lasts for several days. Whether the lights are on or off, helping your little (or big) ones get through the blackout can be fun if you find age-appropriate ways to fill their time.

• Tell Ghost Stories – You know your kid. If scary stories during a blackout will pretty much ensure sleepless nights until they go to college, opt for read-alouds of their favorite standby stories instead. Reading to your children, during a power outage or at any time, can be a wonderful, shared experience that provides comfort and a foundation able to buoy you both up, even during the most challenging conditions.
• Take to the Kitchen – If the power is off, you won't be able to cook, but can still make yummy (and messy) treats together, powered by candles or battery-operated lights. Keep candles completely out of reach of children and have them help you create weird and creative snacks of their own design. Think cream cheese, celery and raisin ants-on-a-log, or peanut butter and dried-cranberry smiley faces on whole wheat bread. Combine goofy ingredients and let your kids get creative with what you have on hand, but try to keep the fridge closed as much as possible in order to maintain a chilly internal temperature until the power comes back on.
• Go Old School – Kids are often astonished at how much fun they have playing board games, crossword puzzles, telephone tag or cards. Tic-tac-toe and play-doh may be lost arts, but take this opportunity to show them there is life after electronics by dusting off your checkers or Monopoly board for a long round of family game night and non-electronic activities.
• Say Hello – You may have been waiting for just the right moment to check in with your rebellious pre-teen, sullen toddler or just-trying-out-for-drivers-ed teenager, but no matter what your child's age, use this time to simply talk. With electronics off and intrusions at a minimum, take a deep breath, initiate a conversation and simply talk. Who knows what you'll discover about each other by the time the lights come back on.

Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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