The process by which you came to know that the Earth has "always" experienced devastating weather is exactly the same process by which contemporary climatologists are now asserting the existence of anthropogenic climate change. You can't pick and choose when you accept knowledge arising from steadfast application of the scientific method. That's kinda the point.
The parent you are responding to isn't denying climate change, just that events like Sandy or Katrina are caused by it. Saying "you can't pick and choose" is trying to have a different discussion.
