I dreamed that I was sitting on a beach on holiday and I saw this giant wave coming in to shore, I grabbed the kids and ran into the hotel and we went up as far as we could, we got to the top of the hotel and stayed there, I looked out of the windows and the water was up to the windows outside even though we were up on the top floor.
When I looked out the window again I saw that the water had receded and almost gone.
This type of dream is quite common and not usually a premonition dream, it can be translated quite easily:
Being on holiday shows how you wish to take a break from everyday life and it's pressures, hotels represent temporary structures, in this case to shelter you from the powerful emotional onslaught that seems to be heading your way. You are therefore protected temporarily from overpowering situations that are emotionally charged and all around you at the present time. (or the situation is only temporary)
In dreams windows are seen as a view into the past, future or into current situations. They are also used to symbolise your eyes and seeing things as they really are.
Because water symbolises emotions and the way in which they flow and manage to spill over into every section of our life, the Tsunami literally shows how we can be overcome or taken over by powerful emotions. These may or may not be our own emotions. Waves simply represents the way emotions can wash in and out, take over and change the current set up.
Salt water can also symbolise tears in dreams and this is also why it provides a good symbol for emotions.
Water is also a cleanser and being such is able to clean and clear the negative (dirt) away.
In your dream the water did recede and this highlights that the circumstances and emotions that wash in will wash out just as quickly.
It is impossible to say what causes these powerful emotions to appear so suddenly or in what section of your life they will correspond, but you are forewarned and therefore forearmed with the knowledge that they will pass and that you will find solace by climbing upwards and being above it all.
The emotional situation seems to be going on around you but because in your dream you and the kids manage to climb above the level of the water I would say that you are adept and able to cope well with what happens and rise above any emotionally charged circumstances that might be building up.