If you live like me in southern California how do you tell your kids the fires won't come again?

Question

back in the uk today the kids don;t want to go home.

we got out alive but only just no home to come back to

Answer 1

you don't , you need to be truthful with them , there is no good way , .

Answer 2

I write from the UK with all the best wishes in the world to you and your family, and all the other good people who have been affected by the trauma of the fires.It is a beautiful place you live in A grandfather myself,to try to comfort your children regarding the return of the fires,I do not think there is any easy way for you to handle this issue, you are the only one who is best qualified to deal with this as you know the characters of your children, it would be very silly for any of us albeit well meant, to generalise an answer, all we, can do is to wish everyone well in the futureand assure you, we are thinking of each of you

Answer 3

I agree with most of the people here; it could be really detrimental to your relationship with your kids to promise that the fires won't come back when the possibility is there that they will. I think that your best bet in making them feel safe is to be proactive in setting up plans in the event that they do; where you will meet if they are with friends or elsewhere, etc. Maybe find a way to intruduce them to local firefighters and make sure that they are confident that they will know what to do if they are in the situation in the future.

Answer 4

The adage honesty is the best policy, and a whole lot more comes to mind. Many years ago I remember being worried about fires, and was introduced to our old friend Smokey the Bear.

Introduce your kids to Smokey and teach them the difference between natural and arson generated fires.

Camai

Answer 5

My thoughts are with you.
But the one thing I would not do is lie to them. Can you honestly say there will be no more fires????
As you can't, I say don't Don't promise what you can't deliver. That just opens you up to distrust if it happens again.
As devastating as it must be for you, they will take the lead from your reaction and hopefully strength.. Show them by example that it is your family that is of most importance and you are still together and try and build from that.
As I say my thoughts are with you, good luck.

Answer 6

I don't think you can tell them that as that would be lying. Knowledge is usually power, I don't know how old they are but could you not talk to them about how they start and what the procedure would be if it happened? No different to a fire drill really and that's how I would put it to them. Liken it to a fire drill at school.

Answer 7

Jadore said it for me. Don't tell them the fires won't come again when they are a part of life in CA. Take this opportunity to explain to them that sometimes life is rough but we have to make the best of it... or whatever else. Just don't lie to them.

Answer 8

Apparently the fires were started by a little boy playing with matches. It was in the news that he confessed to it.

So you can teach them what can happen when one plays with matches and the best ways to avoid fires..

Answer 9

dont tell your children that the fires wony come back , because they will. thats just what happens around here. the best thing to do is tell them the truth, and tell them that daddy will make them safe if a fire ever comes. dont steer around thetruth.

Answer 10

I think that children should never be lied to.
Just imagine how they will feel after you convince them and then only to find that you were wrong.

One day you will need them to trust you, develop that trust now while you can.