Thoughts on the Kumamoto Earthquake as a Parent

A major earthquake has occurred in Kumamoto.

A maximum seismic intensity of 7.
The moment I saw that number, my mind went blank.

I would like to express my deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the disaster.
I know there are many people who are still spending their time in anxiety.

Those whose homes remain in disarray.
Those who have evacuated.
Those spending sleepless nights.
Those trembling at aftershocks while holding their children.
Those worrying about the safety of family members living far away.

Just by watching through the news screen, I cannot fully understand the true fear, the hardship, or the difficulty of daily life.

That is precisely why I feel I cannot easily ask, 'Are you okay?'

Because there is no way they could be okay.

That is what I think.

Even after experiencing a seismic intensity of 6-upper, I cannot imagine a 7

I have experience participating in volunteer activities for nearly a year during the Great East Japan Earthquake.
At that time, I experienced an aftershock with a seismic intensity of 6-upper.

It was a strong tremor.

I could not stand, and the sounds of the building and objects moving violently remained in my body.

Even after the shaking subsided,
'It might shake again'
the anxiety did not disappear for a while.

Even so, I have never experienced a seismic intensity of 7.
Even knowing a 6-upper, I cannot pretend to understand a 7.

How scary it must have been.
How long it must have felt.

I believe there is a terror that only those who were there can understand.
Therefore, I cannot say things as if I understand what those in the disaster area are going through.

However, precisely because I know a little of the fear of that shaking, my heart aches when I think of the anxiety of those currently living in Kumamoto.

The fear for families with children

When you have children, the fear of a disaster approaches in a different way.
If I were alone, I might be able to manage somehow.

But when you have children, you must protect them first.

Hold them close.
Evacuate.
Secure water and food.
Think about the bathroom situation.
Find a place to sleep.

If your child cries, you worry about whether you are bothering those around you.

But children are scared, too.
It is natural for them to cry.
It is natural for them to feel anxious.

I think it is only natural that they cannot sleep in a place that is different from usual, or that they do not want to leave their parents' side.

Parents are scared, too.

But you feel you must remain calm in front of your children.
Just imagining that struggle is painful.

Trying to reassure your child while you yourself actually want to cry.
I imagine there are many parents who feel that way.

The fear of daily life changing in an instant

The fear of an earthquake is not just the shaking itself.
It is the fact that the daily life you took for granted can change in an instant.

Your usual home.
Your usual streets.
Your usual school.
Your usual place to sleep.

Suddenly, those things are no longer a given.
This is difficult for adults, but I believe it is a source of great anxiety for children as well.

The place you sleep is different from usual.
You cannot take a bath.
Meals are not as they usually are.

Even if these things seem small to an adult, to a child, it may feel as though their world has changed.

Disasters shake not only buildings, but also the heart.
Restoring life.
Restoring peace of mind.
Helping children regain nights where they can sleep in peace.

I believe that including all of that, it will take a long time.

I cannot easily say 'please do your best'

I want to send some words to the disaster-stricken areas.
But I cannot easily say 'please do your best'.

That is because there are so many people who are already doing more than enough.

They are doing their best while unable to sleep.
They are doing their best while cleaning up.
They are doing their best while protecting their families.
They are doing their best while trying to reassure their children.

That is why, first and foremost, I hope that you will prioritize your safety.

I hope you do not try to force yourself to clean up.
I hope you stay away from dangerous places.
I hope you get at least a little sleep when you can.

If your child becomes unstable, it is not the parent's fault.
It is also natural for parents themselves to lose their composure.

In an emergency, it is okay not to be the same parent you always are.

I believe that protecting lives is the most important thing of all.

What we can do from afar

When you are far from the disaster area, you don't know what you can do.
Not everyone can go directly to help.

However, I don't think that means we can do nothing.

Look at accurate information.
Do not spread uncertain information.
Check what support is needed.
Donate or provide support within your means.
And, do not forget even as time passes.

Disasters only receive attention immediately after they occur.
But the truly difficult part is the life that follows.

Cleaning up.
Evacuation life.
Work.
School.
The child's emotional anxiety.

It takes a long time to regain daily life.

Therefore, I believe it is important not to just worry for now and be done with it, but to continue to care from here on out.

Thinking about my own home to protect my children

Seeing this earthquake, as a parent with children, I thought about my own home.

If a big earthquake happened now, how would I protect my daughter?
Are there any dangerous places in the house?
What should I take when evacuating?
Where should we contact each other if the family is separated?
Is there enough water and food?
How should I explain it to my child?

There are many things I have to think about.
Talk to them not to scare them, but to protect them.

If an earthquake happens, first protect your head.
Do not go near dangerous things.
Listen to what Mom and Dad say.

I wanted to convey things like that little by little in our daily lives.
You never know when or where a disaster will occur.

That is precisely why I want to connect this to preparing to protect my own family.

To everyone in Kumamoto

To everyone currently spending anxious hours in Kumamoto.
Please, first and foremost, prioritize your own safety and that of your family.

I imagine that families with small children are going through an even more difficult time than usual.

As a parent, the more you try to provide comfort, the more I imagine your own heart feels worn down.

It is only natural for parents to be scared.
It is only natural to feel anxious.
Even so, stay by your child's side.
Hold their hand.
Even if you cannot say 'it will be okay,' just being together is enough.

I believe that, in itself, provides a great sense of security for a child.

I pray that everyone affected by the disaster can spend their time in a place that is as safe as possible.
I pray that the necessary support reaches those who need it.

I pray that children can regain nights where they can sleep with even a little more peace of mind.
And I pray that the daily lives of everyone in Kumamoto will return as soon as possible.

Although I am far away, I am praying for you from the bottom of my heart.