Monthly Archives: March 2018

Severe Weather Awareness Month in Minnesota

April is Severe Weather Awareness Month and it’s important to be ready. Late spring is when we see a large number of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, so here’s how to handle that.

A severe thunderstorm is one which may include any or all of the following: frequent lightning strikes (which can be extremely dangerous,) high winds, hail, and heavy rain with street flooding.

A tornado is a specific kind of storm where winds and air pressure combine to create a funnel cloud. This spins around in a circle and creates crazy wind speed. Depending on the severity, trees can be knocked into houses, houses can be blown down, windows can shatter and strew broken glass everywhere.

If a severe thunderstorm watch or a tornado watch is announced, that means  that conditions are right for bad weather to develop, but nothing is happening yet. Mainly, just be aware of what’s going on outside at this point – maybe don’t get too far from shelter. I would turn the TV on or listen to the radio to see if there is anything near me.

If a severe thunderstorm warning or a tornado warning are announced, that means they have identified an actual storm in your area. Sirens will go off and they will definitely break into programming to give you information. If the warning is for a thunderstorm, keep everyone inside and away from windows – sometimes hail can break a window, or lightning can strike right through it.

If the warning is for a tornado, DROP EVERYTHING, Grab the kids and go to a safe part of the basement – away from windows, and also in a sturdy place – under the staircase can be perfect. Stay there until you hear that things are all clear – sometimes tornadoes can come in waves, so just because one has gone by doesn’t mean the danger is over. Try to keep the kids calm by singing or reading to them.

Families probably want to have things like a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and maybe a blanket ready in the basement in case of severe weather.

I’ll be going over all this with the au pairs at our April cluster meeting.

Rainy Spring Days

Image by Tilda Rice

Rainy days and Minnesota spring go together like hot dish and tater tots. You can count on cold, windy, rainy, muddy weather well into May. So it’s best to have a plan ready. Otherwise, kids can get pretty squirrelly stuck inside!

Think about the kids you are caring for when thinking up activities. You can’t expect a super active child to sit for hours doing a jigsaw puzzle. But there are a lot of different ideas out there.

Some activities to consider:
* Teach kids a new skill. Depending on the age and interests of your kids, teach kids something they haven’t tried before. Some ideas include watercolor painting, bread baking, doing a maze, or trying yoga (go to the Cosmic Yoga YouTube channel for some great kid-oriented yoga.)
* Acting in a play. Take a favorite book and adapt it to your own use. Costumes and props are fun to create. Even if it’s just for yourselves, it’s still a fun activity.
* Go on a scavenger hunt. Make a series of clues that lead from one to another, with some kind of small prize at the end. Little kids can decode easier clues, like “Look where the eggs are kept;” older kids can be given more complicated puzzles.
* Movie and popcorn time. It can be fun to recreate the experience of going to the movies at home. Make a big bowl of popcorn and pick a fun movie, and everyone can snuggle on the couch and relax.
* Get out and play in the puddles. Dress kids in waterproof jackets and boots, grab umbrellas, and splash around out there. You can learn a lot from watching how rain falls, how puddles develop, or how raindrops fall off of leaves. Obviously, you can’t go out in a thunderstorm!

Our Pinterest page has many, many more ideas. Keep the kids occupied while the rain is falling and everyone will be in a better mood when you can finally get outside into the beautiful Minnesota springtime.

Daylight Saving Time Begins March 11

What is Daylight Saving Time?

During Daylight Saving Time, clocks are turned forward one hour, effectively moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. Today, approximately 70 countries worldwide utilize Daylight Saving Time, in at least some portion of the country. The U.S. started observing it in 1918, so it celebrates it’s 100th birthday, this year.

In March, we move the clock forward one hour, losing an hour of sleep. In November, we move the clock back one hour, regaining that extra hour of sleep.

An easy way to remember it is: Spring forward, Fall back.

Before you go to bed on March 10, be sure to set the clocks forward one hour!

Photo: Mark Lee