Is anyone else in Sandy's path?

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Irene was bad last year. Now the kids have heard on the news that Sandy will be worse. The kids are scared. Does anyone have words of wisdom regarding the best way to handle things like this? For example, we have a lot of big, very old trees near our house and I really want to move the family down to the first floor to sleep because a tree with lightning damage is right outside of my daughter's window, but I don't want to heighten their alarm. My daughter is already afraid of a power outage. We are days away from "the" day.

The truth is, I am a little afraid myself. Especially now that I am a single mother. I get worried that something will happen that I will not be able to deal with.

I feel the same way and I was in the area of Irene last year and was very shaken-what doesn't help is the news and weather reporters going on and on and on talking about it the way they do-that does not help very much.I have no idea as I am trying to keep myself calm.

I would suggest that you have the kids help you prepare an emergency kit with bottled water, flashlights, extra batteries, etc. if you think that would make them feel any better. Go to http://www.fema.gov/. They have instructions there for making a plan and preparing a kit. I know that would make my kids feel better, anyway. I think you would be wise to have everyone move down to the first floor when the brunt of the storm is going to hit your area. I used to live on the east coast so I know what you mean, it is scary. Hurricanes are one thing I most decidedly do NOT miss.
ETA: I hope you all stay safe and that you have no need for an emergency plan!

I'm in the path. Not too worried because we have a generator and just did the main grocery shopping. All we have to do is pick up a few odds and ends tomorrow.
We got the generator after the sump pump went out after losing power with Irene. Still going to pick up batteries and water.
The above posters advice is pretty good, good luck!! !

No particular advice except maybe evacuation depending where you are. I'm inland a little bit (near Philadelphia) but right in the middle of it's predicted path. I've been feeling ill all week maybe as a result of the storm's pressure and haven't done much to prepare.

I am facing this storm coming. A generator is here, and the grocery shopping has been done, but there's still the unforeseen circumstances like if and how long the power goes out. Will I have to go to work on Monday? I will have to accept that I can't just move the storm out of the way and bear it.

You may be able to pull off moving to the first floor as a rather fun thing and not a scary thing if you can think about it enough to be creative. As Bombaloo says, having the kids help prepare will go a long way to help them perpare mentally, and may help you as well. Be sure to clear any rain spouts and bring in any outdoor furniture.

I went through A LOT of big hurricanes as a kid. Ones where we had to board up all the windows and not go outside for 24 hours.
My parents always made it kind of fun. Usually some 'adult' friend of the family was also invited over (single friend of my mom's who didn't want to be alone, etc.). We made it like a big slumber party in the safest part of the house. Threw down pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, etc. Made brownies, played board games, watched a movie (IF the power didn't go off!), lit candles and had snacks, etc. My mom would have a craft ready that didn't require electricity. Usually we ended up getting so tired out, we would crash and sleep through the loudest, roughest part of the storm!
We weathered some pretty big storms--were in the eye of some category 7's and 8's. We stayed inside out of them, and the worst thing that ever happened was a corner of the roof coming loose and rain POURING down the wall of my bedroom.
Take care and try to make it fun!

in the path here as well...stay safe everyone!

Good luck to all of us in the path! Wind is already picking up enough that it woke me up, and we are not due to "get hit" for almost 24 hours!

The kids' school has been cancelled for today (and tomorrow, I am sure), so we are just going to bunker down in the house, stick to the first floor, and try to make the best of it. My daughter is nervous, but my son is doing a good job of "being the man of the house" and helping me to keep her mind off of it. As long as the power stays on, we will have Roblox and Minecraft to keep their minds occupied, but if we lose power, things could get pretty unpleasant. The fear of the dark will also become problematic.

Traditional or battery operated musical instruments can be good entertainment if you lose power, if they have any. No light or electricity required. I haven't played my flute in a long while, but I know if I find myself in the dark with nothing to do I'm going to pull it out and be content.

Maybe this is not soon enough, but (again) Sesame Street has a whole hurricane toolkit: http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/top ... /hurricane

While it's geared towards preschoolers, there is a lot of good advice there on handling childrens' fears and emotions, especially the "tips" section across the bottom.

I think right now, the biggest potential problem is my own rising anxiety.

Stay safe everyone!

Well, we lost some siding and shutters, lost power for 15 hours, and slept on the first floor in fear of trees falling, but all in all, we weathered the storm. No flooding for us. Very grateful.

How is everyone else?

Fine, I think we were lucky. Power did not even go off. I saw some fallen trees near my house though. I am in MA.