Since everyone in the Tennessee Valley was affected to some degree by the recent storms, we want to share a few tips on helping your child cope with the traumatic experience of a tornado.

The best thing you can do for your children is spend time talking with them. Let them know that they can ask questions and that it's normal to feel a wide range of emotions.  It's okay to let them know, without overwhelming them, about what is happening in the community. It's normal for children to need extra reassurance, to be more distracted at school, to act out rather than express their feelings. Young children often use play to recreate their experience of the tornado, and while this may be difficult for you to watch, it can be healing for them.

Remember that even the threat of severe weather is enough to affect a child's sense of wellbeing. Hearing adults speak graphically about the storm or seeing images of the damage on television can be difficult for any traumatized child. The good news is that children are typically more resilient than their parents and, with love and patience, will recover quickly from the experience.

We wish you and your family the best as we work together towards recovery.

Owners Adrienne Stephens and Nick & Erica Weseman

Erica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience in the field of mental health. If you're interested in educating yourself more on this topic, she recommends visiting The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

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Where can you find books, e-books, movies, music and more, all for free?  Your local library! Whether it's a book club for dad, a concert for mom, a summer reading program for older kids, or story time for the little ones, the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library offers something for everyone.

Take the whole family on a trip to the library, and before you go, visit http://hmcpl.org/events/kids to see their upcoming family-friendly activities.