With a few flickers, the lights in our home went out. Immediately, my son, Josiah, and niece, Courtney, started dancing, waving fire-engine red flashlights as they twirled and sang “storm party, storm party.” 

No one watching would have ever guessed that months earlier my then 4-year-old son and his 7-year-old cousin were frightened by storms.

What made the difference? Storm Party: my attempt to distract and ease my son’s storm-related fears.

Our first Storm Party was birthed out of the womb of desperation.

Back then, Josiah was afraid of storms, especially noisy ones. His fears intensified during a trip to North Carolina to celebrate the Fourth of July with my brother and his family. On the way there, we encountered a hurricane that turned our leisurely drive into a frightening crawl. 

Not long after, a severe thunderstorm struck our hometown. When I arrived home, the house was pitch-black except for one small lamp in the living room where my mom was reading, and my son and his cousin sat huddled together on a couch, quietly talking.

Looking at their tense bodies, and wide-eyed stares, I knew they were afraid. I moved into clown mode, jumping on the couch, tickling and shouting, “It’s time for a storm party. Let’s dance!”

Improvising as I went along, I added musical chairs, hand games and other activities – anything to make them laugh. It worked. By the time the weather cleared, both kids were visibly more relaxed.

“Our storm party was fun,” Josiah said as I tucked him into bed that night. “I wasn’t even afraid anymore.”

While grateful, I silently acknowledged a need for a long-term solution to my son’s fears. My major concern was to find something tangible, albeit affordable, to divert his attention away from the weather.

But what? As I mulled options, I realized Storm Party just might fit the bill. It was tangible. It cost little or no money. And best yet, it was fun.

Over breakfast the next morning, I shared with Josiah my decision to have more storm parties. His exuberant, fist-pounding “Yes!” sealed the matter.

We planned our celebration– even though we didn’t have any idea when it would be held.

We agreed that, like the night before, any future Storm Party must include games and activities (preferably those that could be played with little illumination), music (playable on a battery-operated boom box) and emergency lighting.

My mother offered her new oversized flashlights, hurricane lights and compact lanterns. Each was battery-operated and waterproof (not that we ever expected to use them outdoors), with easy-to-carry handles that Josiah loved swinging. 

We went shopping for extra batteries and by day’s end we had a party plan mapped out and ready to use.

Good thing. Within weeks, a fierce storm blew through around 6 p.m., knocking off electrical power in our area for more than 36 hours. Shortly afterwards, we went upstairs to join Courtney and her mom for a Storm Party.

We carried our new flashlights, board games, a boom box and a portable black-and-white TV for watching the news.

“Storm Party, Storm Party,” Josiah sang as he handed my sister a black hurricane light and offered Courtney a red flashlight.

While the cousins danced, I laid blankets on the floor, pretending it was a campground. For more than three hours, we talked, ate munchies, played music and prayed together. By bedtime, the electricity was still out, but Josiah was fine.

I kissed him goodnight, reminding him to keep his lantern nearby. He dozed off without a problem. Our storm party was a hit.

Lisa A. Crayton is a freelance writer and mom to Josiah.

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Hosting a Storm Party

Blizzards, hurricanes, tornados and other bad weather can frighten kids of all ages. To help ease fears, considering hosting a storm party. You’ll need:

1. Games and activities. Keep an emergency box filled with games that can be played with little illumination. If your children love playing cards, throw in one specifically for kids (like Old Maid). 
2. Entertainment. A portable TV or boom box can help the minutes past faster. 
3. Lighting. Oversized flashlights, hurricane lights and compact lanterns can be purchased from any large retail chain store like Wal-Mart, Kmart or Home Depot.
4. Batteries. New, fresh batteries are essential in a storm. Keep extra packs on hand.
5. Guests. Your kids will relax more quickly if everyone joins in the fun. If you have family visiting during vacation or holidays, invite them to your party.
6. Munchies. No party is complete without munchies. Even if you don’t have time to shop before the storm, make some of your child’s favorites sandwiches or snacks.
7. Hugs and kisses. Nothing beats a parent’s embrace when a child is scared. During the storm, talk to you child about his or her fears, have fun with a storm party, but most of all, provide some snuggle time.