Survival : Family Style (what to do with children)

[bryanrheem]

Ok,

I know this topic has been touched on here and there in different threads, but I wanted to start one dedicated to how to best prepare and 'train' a family. Obviously, this will only apply to those with children here, but all input is welcome!

I have a 10 year old (girl), 7 year old (boy) and a 4 month old.

Surviving with kids is difficult enough w/o a SHTF situation, let alone with a baby. What exercises, training would be good for the family? I know physical fitness is important and we stress that already. My son has a real interest in archery and I'm pursuing that with him, as well as shooting clays with both of them.

Thoughts?

[Greybeard]

Is the 10 yr. old into scouting? That would be a good start. Foraging, fishing etc. would appeal to a 10 yr old. Be sure to include your daughter in the lessons. You'll be surprised at how fast she will pick things up, if only to stay even with her brother.

[mamabearCali]

We are working on hiking with packs and teaching the older ones (my eldest is seven)about wild edibles (and non edibles). Mine are 7,5,3 and 10 months. I am learning that seven year olds can do a ton more than you think. We are in the same boat as you. Pray hard, think ahead as best you can, put away bunches of candy bars and dum dums as rewards.

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[Reverenddel]

All three of my girlfriends boys are scouts... we practice at home... they freak out easy. I have no control over that... I have told her in a disaster, her ONLY job is to tend to the kids. Let me handle everything else, but include her in the process in case something happens to me.

[bryanrheem]

Grey, the 10 year old is the daughter. She is interested though in planting and growing things. Both of them love camping but that's comfortable camping.

The baby is the biggest question mark. I am thinking through what an emergency bag would look like for a baby, which is lots of diapers and clothes. The issue is when diapers run out?

Reverend, I first mis-read your post. I thought you meant that you had three different girlfriends! lol... I think that's a key: learning how to deal with and cope through the fear of the kids, and teaching them how to stay calm. That might be an impossible task, but is probably worth spending some time on.

[mamabearCali]

Bryan.....as for what to do when diapers run out......cloth diaper baby, and camp washers. I am not talking about the super fancy cloth diapers that they have now that cost $30 a piece. I am talking about those super simple flat cloth diapers that you can get for $18 a dozen, a pack of diaper pins from Walmart for $ 2.50 (online about $1 a pair) and a few one size fits all diaper covers.


You want the simplest most durable system you can get when the SHTF. Flats, pins, and covers is the simplest you can get. For less than $35 you can get a system that would cover from birth to potty training. You want flats because they wash the easiest and dry the easiest. Look up how to use cloth diaper flats online and get a few before e SHTF, then if you are in clear with no more babies to diaper they can make great rags too.

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