10 Ways to Prepare Your Kids for the Unexpected

Baseball has thrived in America for well over 100 years. Our “national pastime” mirrors everyday life in so many different ways. Baseball requires strategy, skill, good fortune and the ability to improvise. You have to learn to expect the unexpected. The batter stands at the plate poised for a 95 mph fastball. Instead, the pitcher throws a sinker in the dirt. Strike one, swinging. The batter’s mind races to anticipate the next move. He guesses breaking ball, low and outside. This time the pitcher comes with the heat—chest high. Strike two. He’s in a hole, and at the mercy of the pitcher. Practicing extreme discipline, he lays off the next several pitches and runs the count full. A classic duel. The batter is almost positive the hard heat is coming next and girds his body to swing away. The pitcher glares at the batter, giving no hint of what is coming. The ball releases from the pitcher’s hand and the laces spin. The batter, who expected a fast ball, detects the curve, and on the fly, he adjusts in a fraction of a second. The breaking ball hangs slightly in the strike zone. Crack. The ball lifts like an eagle, soaring towards the left field wall. The outfielder stops in his tracks and just watches as the ball lands in the hands of a very happy young fan. Success due to discipline, skill and most of all the ability to adapt to the unexpected. Being able to handle life’s curve balls is a trait vital to instill in our children.  Here are 10 Ways to Prepare Your Kids for the Unexpected.

1. Constant Motion

   Life does not stand still. It’s constantly changing and in motion. Your parenting styles should be the same way. You need to be able to improvise on the fly for situations as they arise. The struggle in this is that children require security, and change can be disruptive to their growth. The key to good parenting is successfully providing that sense of security, while all the time teaching them to be open-minded to new situations. Ease them slowly into the new, while using life’s upsets to teach them how to “go with the flow.”

2. Saving For A Rainy Day

   Our parents taught us to save for “a rainy day.” Remember that lesson? Radio and TV host, Dave Ramsey, makes a very good living simply teaching (or re-teaching) people the same thing. Now it’s your turn to teach your own children this lesson now, so that they won’t need a Dave Ramsey to rescue them later as an adult. For example, when Grandma gives your son $50 for his birthday, he will instantly begin spending it in his mind. Wise parenting requires that you not allow him to do so. Let him spend $10 on whatever he chooses. Then show him the monthly statement as his money grows. Children are visual. Let them watch their money grow simply by leaving it alone. Saving for a rainy day will become much more exciting then. This develops the mindset of being practical and prepared.

3. Time Is Valuable

   Working parents have a unique perspective and insight on this truth. When you provide a parent access to more time, it’s probably one of the most valuable gifts you can give. There’s always something that needs to be done, and there are never enough hours in the day. Teach your children the discipline of prioritizing and valuing their time. When your daughter gets home from school, teach her to grab a snack and sit down immediately to do her homework. Sure, she could do it later in the evening, but teach her to not procrastinate and to be disciplined. Soon after she’s done with her homework, her friend calls to invite her to the movies. Had she put off her work, she wouldn’t have been able to go.  It wouldn’t have been an option, but instead, she was prepared because she used her time wisely.

4. Major Life Changes

   Moving, career changes and divorce are all gigantic events in the lives of a family. In all these situations, the kids need to be prepared in advance to soften the shock of such an announcement. Bridge the transition with compassion and a gentle understanding of their feelings. Slowly bring them along to the eventual realization of what is happening. Give them time to get used to the reality. It will make a big difference in the final results.

5. When Life Gives You Lemons

   The Rolling Stones famously sang, “You can’t always get what you want...” That’s the part of the song everyone remembers. The rest of the lyric says, “…but if you try sometimes, you just mind find, you get what you need.” That’s the most important part!  Sometimes what we get isn’t what we asked for, but it’s exactly what we needed.  In your child’s life, he’s going to receive what he perceives to be lots of lemons in his life. The trick is teaching him to take that initial disappointment and create something great out of it.  Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.

6. Health

   Our first lady, Michelle Obama, has focused her time and attention on the nutritional health of young children. Too many children in America aren’t eating properly at home or at school. Juvenile diabetes is an increasing diagnosis associated with obesity, and it’s a devastating and unwelcome outcome to a problem that is in your control. Parents, teach your children the importance of good health and the potential and devastating consequences of a poor diet and lack of exercise. Educate yourself and your kids on eating the right food, getting enough sleep and physically training. This will certainly go a long way towards preventing the unexpected in the health of your family.

7. Emergencies

   When things seem the most calm, life has a way of slapping us on the head. Emergencies always seem to happen at the worst possible times. Are your children prepared for any household crisis? Do they know how to dial 911 and clearly provide an address? Can they locate the fire extinguisher and operate it? Teach your kids the age appropriate measures to handle any emergency that might come up.  Don’t neglect the simple things like how to use a plunger to stop an overflowing toilet. Make sure your children know how to keep a calm head in the face of an emergency.  Give them opportunities to practice and be prepared!

8. Tragedy

   Sadly, tragedies happen to families every single day. Dad has a heart attack and dies suddenly. Mom is in a massive car wreck and passes away. Both parents die simultaneously in a terrible accident. It’s a horrible thought to consider, but it happens daily. Is it possible to prepare a child for such an event? To suddenly be in the home of foster parents and feeling lost and frightened beyond their senses? No. However, what you can do is to instill a light within your child that can never be extinguished of a love and appreciation for life that will spur them on in your absence. To know they will one day see you again when God makes all things new.  The determination to live and love will defeat darkness and depression. That’s how you prepare a child for tragedy.

9. The Outer Shell

   An important aspect of child development is teaching your kids how to let unpleasant things roll off their backs. In simple terms, parents need to teach their children toughness. In an age where building self-esteem is considered vital, we have a tendency to coddle our kids and sometimes create very fragile children. When the unexpected happens, they fall to pieces. Childhood isn’t always easy. Kids say and do mean things to each other. That is nature’s way of preparing your child for adulthood and the trials and tribulations to come. When we micromanage their lives and constantly come to their rescue, we are not doing them any favors. Help them develop an outer shell that protects them from the twists and turns that life will bring.

10. Parent Education

    How do you prepare your kids for the unexpected? The very best way is to be educated in their reality. Understand the current style of clothing, the hottest music and the latest dances. Know the slang, the drugs, and every aspect of what is going on in the life of your child. When you can walk in his shoes, you are much better prepared to help him safely navigate a treacherous path. To be able to teach, one must first be educated in the subject. Remember, life is constantly in motion.

Connect with All Pro Dad
President, Mark Merrill on