Support for Families After the Hill Country Floods
Whether your child was at camp during the floods or you’re just trying to help them make sense of what happened in our community… this is hard. Big weather can bring big feelings for kids and for us as the grown-ups trying to help them feel safe again.
This page is here to support you. We’ve gathered tools, words, and resources to help you talk with your child about the floods, and to support them (and yourself) in the days and weeks ahead.
A heartfelt thank you to Child Life Disaster Relief for making it possible for child life specialists to support families during both natural and manmade disasters. Your work brings comfort and calm when it’s needed most.
Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) are trained professionals who support children and families during medical experiences or traumatic events, helping kids understand what’s happening, express their feelings, and build coping skills through developmentally appropriate support.
Learn more about child life specialists here
How to talk to kids about the floods:
There’s no perfect script for conversations like this. But what your child needs most right now isn’t perfect words: it’s you.
When scary things happen in the world around us, kids look to their grown-ups for a sense of safety and understanding. Here are a few simple ways to start the conversation and support your child emotionally:
Start by Asking What Your Kids Know:
“Have you heard anything about the floods?”
“What questions do you have?”
Let their answers guide the conversation. Kids often fill in the blanks with their imagination, so this helps you clear up confusion and offer reassurance.
Simple, Honest Language:
Explain what happened in age-appropriate terms. You don’t need to go into detail, just the basics. Be honest, and focus on safety. For example:
There was a lot of rain that caused flooding. Some homes were damaged, but people are working hard to help each other and stay safe.
Validate Their Feelings:
Whether your child seems scared, confused, sad, or quiet—it’s all normal. You can say:
“It’s okay to feel upset. I felt worried too.”
“Big storms can be scary, and here are things we are doing to stay safe…”
Reassure Through Routine and Connection:
Kids feel safe when they know what to expect. Keep familiar routines when possible, and lean into comfort activities, snuggling, drawing, reading a favorite book, playing together.
You don’t need all the answers. You just need to create space where your child feels seen, safe, and loved. That’s more than enough.
Tools to Help You Support Your Child
Disclaimer: Child Life On Call is not affiliated with the organizations listed below. We share their resources out of respect and appreciation for their support of families.
Child Life Disaster Relief
Hearts Connected
Child Life To Go
Lost Stuffy Project
SACLP
