A.K.A “The No-Fortnite-Apocolypse”
Our lights went out a week ago and didn’t come back on for three days. Darkness forced our family to embrace luddite ways, and we did our best to stay positive despite the discomfort. We were lucky that our house didn’t sustain damage, and we suffered only minor inconveniences. Life without refrigeration, of both people and perishables, certainly wasn’t ideal, but, with a few well-stocked supplies and mom hacks, we were ready to embrace our pioneer days.
Living in Texas means crazy summer thunderstorms and frequent high winds and tornado warnings. No wonder it’s fourth on the list of states with the most power outages. Living in Dallas means dicey electrical infrastructure and big trees that often blow over. So while we weren’t completely unprepared for the likelihood of a bonkerballs summer storm, the intensity and aftermath shocked us a bit. Regardless of climate, weather changes can happen fast. As Mark Twain aptly quipped, “I have counted 136 different types of weather inside of 24 hours.”
Now that we have air conditioning and a restocked fridge, I thought it would be useful to shed light on a handful of ideas to get through the dark days and darker nights. While sitting ALONE in a warm(ish) dark house wouldn’t have been so bad, managing two kids and a busy husband certainly added a layer of chaos.
Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best
It is really easy to talk about the importance of preparation after your lights are out and the cool air stops blowing. It’s harder to be proactive about disaster readiness. While this post isn’t intended to give serious life-saving advice for surviving life without power, it is important to consider safety and relative comfort in the eye of the storm.
My best advice on preparation: Don’t ignore the to-do list. The minute we let our gas tank get too low and forget to buy batteries (for the third time) a freak storm descends to smite us for our procrastination. As soon as we start getting thunderstorm warnings in Dallas, I double-check my emergency cabinet and storm supplies (batteries, candles, bottled water – really just the basics). Your storm survival stockpile will obviously vary depending on your location, family size, and tolerance for deprivation.
Halfway through the first night, our daughter’s smoke alarm started beeping. It was completely unrelated to the power outage, but I was extra thankful for the surplus of nine-volt batteries I had on hand (we had to stop laughing long enough to climb the ladder in the dark). My husband’s camping coffee percolator over the gas stove saved me from a serious case of The Grumpies on day two. I even tapped into my theme park supplies to retrieve my battery operated hand-held fans and glow sticks.
It’s a good idea to build some routine into the things we often forget. Try to buy items like batteries, bottled water, and even flashlights in bulk to have a few extra set aside for a rainy (windy, stormy…. you get the idea) day. When in doubt, calendar a reminder to check emergency supplies twice a year. I set mine for April and October. And please, for the sake of all of us in the wake of your karma, don’t ignore the reminder!
Go Old School
How long has it been since you played a rousing game of chess or tested your steady hand at Operation? Dig out some of the games your kids haven’t played in a while (or ever), light that lantern, and throwback to the unplugged 80s. Rock some Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe, Slap Jack, anything to distract from the absence of wifi.
Get creative
You know the best thing about flashlights – Shadow Puppets! Dark nights create a perfect backdrop to work on that hand-shadow-horse you’ve been trying to perfect. Take it one step further and have your kids trace the puppets to make fun and interesting shadow art. Build a blanket fort, bust out the craft box, or head outside (if it’s safe) for some freeze tag. You got this, mama!
Be Productive
Are your kids’ drawers due for a thinning and reorganization? Is your Tupperware cabinet in disarray? Always wanted to color-code your craft supplies? Why not shed light on the darkness by checking off a few of those items deep on your to-do list? Get the kids to help out. Tidying, cleaning, and organizing can be done by candlelight. And, if you’re like me, making progress on forgotten tasks around the house almost makes up for the power outage. Almost.
Stay Positive
Parenting has taught me that poor attitudes are contagious. Yes; it stinks to live in the dark. Yes; it’s hard to sleep when you’re uncomfortable. No; I can’t turn on my Hotspot (for the 100thtime!). I always remind my kids that we often can’t control the things that happen to us, but we can control the way we respond to them. Storms and power outages certainly test this family adage. Staying positive during trying times helps maintain perspective, especially in light of the uncertainty of Mother Nature. Wine also helps.
Storm season continues, and we’re crossing our fingers that the lights stay on. But if they don’t, I have some drawers that need organizing and a cabinet full of vintage board games calling our name.
I’d love to hear from you because we’re all in this together! What tips do you have for surviving a power outage?
Oh and just for fun, here are the Top 5 Power Outage States:
- Michigan
- Ohio
- New York
- Texas
- California
Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.
Elizabeth Taylor