My Child is Afraid of Thunder

Every day when Pierce gets off the bus, I'm always eager to hear how things went at school.  A few weeks ago, he had an uncharacteristic response by telling me he had a horrible day.  Usually he's fairly happy and excited when he arrives home.  Apparently, there had been a big storm that passed by quickly, complete with a loud and startling clap of thunder.  Indeed, I found a note from Pierce's teacher in his folder, explaining that he was upset by the thunder, and that he'd told them he was having a "rotten day". 

And every day Pierce brings home a book that we read together as his "homework".  On that day, one of his thoughtful teachers sent home the book Thunder Cake by Patrician Polacco.  It's a neat tale of a girl who is scared of thunderstorms, and her grandmother tells her they will make thunder cake.  The girl counts between the lightening and the thunder as they rush to gather ingredients for the cake before the storm arrives.  They gather eggs, milk the cow, and even pick tomatoes (the secret ingredient).

After Pierce and I read the story, Pierce was very adament.  "Mom.  We HAVE to make thunder cake!".  Luckily, the book includes the recipe.  I didn't have two of the ingredients on hand, but promised to pick them up.  And a few days later, Pierce helped me with the mixing, and we had our cake. 

Guess who wasn't feeling quite so rotten anymore?

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