When your kids are old enough to learn to prepare, then I suggest that you make it fun, and make it worthwhile.
I may be kind of weird. I love it when the power goes out. Where we live, we’ve had a lot of power outages for one reason or another. In Michigan, weather can change quickly. If you know someone who lives in our great state, you’ve probably heard jokes about how we can see all four seasons in one day. Unfortunately, it’s actually true. I remember days where it would start with relatively warm weather and rain, turn to sun in the afternoon and then snow in the evening. Being surrounded by the Great Lakes sure can swirl things up.
One positive consequence of such events is that it helps you to prepare for a large number of catastrophes. In my life I’ve been through floods, tornadoes, straight-line winds, blizzards, ice storms, and extreme heat, just to name a few. I’ve even felt a couple of earthquakes. Some strange part of me thrives off of all of this. Not that I want tragedy to strike. I do not want anyone to be hurt in such events. It’s just that it gives me the chance to test my preparedness.
At times, my wife has questioned why on earth I need all of the “stuff.” I’ve explained it several times, and she never complains when I get out the water jugs or lanterns in time of need. Being prepared has helped us through a few situations. It has also helped to teach my two boys–who are now teenagers–the importance of planning for the worst.
I want my family to always be safe. There are so many things that could happen that can put them in danger. As my boys have grown older, I’ve begun prepping them for many sticky situations. They may find themselves in a flood, or other natural disaster. It’s possible that they could find themselves lost in the woods, or worse, in a city! The political climate could cause a number of difficult circumstances that may end up in any number of negative scenarios. As a result, I have worked with them to prepare for whatever may come their way.Continue reading“When Kids are Old Enough to Prepare, Part 1, by M.K.”