Weathering The Weather

As we are slowly and painfully (for some) making our way through Hurricane Season this year, I found it quite the opportunity to talk with my son about the science of weather. We have watched "The Weather Channel" at crucial times (especially when "Frances" and "Jeanne" were headed our way).

I also received some interesting "Virtual Field Trip" links, which we visited just hours before the winds and rain from Jeanne were upon us. We reached a chapter in our science book which covered hurricanes, as well as other types of weather.

In recent visits to our favorite family restaurants we received weather maps and printed forecasts for our area.

I feel by educating him about the weather, maybe he will have a healthy respect for what it is capable of. I also hope that he will know what he can do to stay safe in an extreme situation.

An added result of this situation has been to learn a little flexibility. Although we had to alter our vacation plans, for us it was merely an inconvenience.

We had the opportunity to discuss how some people suffered greatly and their lives were dramatically changed. It was a really good time to teach him the value of compassion for others, whether we know them or not.

I guess real life can teach all of us more than we realize, if we are willing.