New to Site...but enjoying the info

Hi mamabearof5 - welcome to the board!! Yahoo - another canner joins the forums 🙂

You asked if you should forego school and prep as a family...does that mean you homeschool?? I am a "retired" homeschooler and can think of nothing better than to get everyone involved - just make THAT school. (I homeschooled my kids from grade 2 right through highschool) There are many lessons to be learned for all ages. From counting to complicated math, shopping skills, canning skills etc. etc. That's exactly what I did with my kids. We involved them as much as possible in whatever we were learning.

Welcome Mamabearof5 and greetings for northern Ontario.

I am sure you will get lots of advice from both viewpoints for your current dilemma. Both methods of schooling, public and homeschooled, have their strengths and their weaknesses. Personally I would say there is no substitute for the social interaction in public schools also the overall education is much more rounded. Why not continue as normal, continue to prep and bring the kids in on everything that you can as long as they are old enough and the activity is age appropriate.

Later you may decide that you have to take the next step and at that time you can re-evaluate your plan. The main thing is that you have a plan and it seems like a good one.

Thanks, for the imput.
Anitapreapciouspearl--- I don't homeschool, I've never tried. But that doesn't mean it won't happen down the road. I'm slowly figuring out what I can can with a water bath and where I'm going to need a pressure canner. I have been sharing with older children on things that they need to help get ready and letting them know there will be things not coming. I've also been stock piling cloth diapers for the youngest two.

ICRCC --- Thanks for the different view. I may just keep them in public school until I feel it's time to inconspicuously just up and leave for the vast open spaces. I'm trying to preserve food, canned and dry. Now I'm stuck on what to put together next...since I'm still maternity leave till December things needed to be gotten can be abit harder to obtain.
I'm trying to make sure that we will be able to service for six months with our own until we can plant a garden, and kill our food as we need it.

I'm on the same adventure with home canning.
Been doing watter bath of late. Igot a great deal in jars at a garrage sale The old gal said she wasn't gonna can any more. Got 100 plus half quart jars and the same in quart jars. Enough lids and rings to fill them twice. I picked up my presure cooker at a garage sale also plus all the tongs and funnels and spatulas and strainers you can imagine. LOts of good deals out there one just has to get up early on a Saturday and do it.

Thanks Old Scout,
I haven't tried garage sales as of yet but thinking you're right. I've been looking on craigslist alot though. But with the good weather sales should be abundant. Just hoping the little kids will enjoy coming and crossing my fingers I find a great deal like you. Now I just need to figure out where to purchase individual solar squares and silver sodering tape to build my own solar panels as this seems to be the cheapest way to go,since single pane windows are cheap to come by. Also trying to put aside a stock pile of the very basics that we could survive on relatively comfortably with small children.

Good on ya mamabear. I graduated to pressure canner a couple of years ago when I started to get fresh salmon from a fisherman buddy of mine. I do everything in it now, meat, pre-made meals, even fruit. I got a new one from Can Tire (couldn't find one at garage sales and needed one asap) for $100.00.
I've got 2 little ones, and I just prep as I can afford. I have an e vac plan depending on the situation but I don't have any bug out place - just don't have the $, but I'm ok with that.
Like you said , keep on prepping, and welcome:)

Wookie,

Is it hard to do pre-made meals? As that is my plan for the pressure canner. To have meals ready made just in case I cannot cook for whatever reason yet still be able to feed the children. My older children think I've been home to long on May leave, but I keep telling them they'll be thanking me later for it. As of present I'm looking for powerless tools to possibly build a " home " elsewhere if need be. I don't own land but there's an abundance out there that most wouldn't even notice. I'm hoping to be able to afford something relatively inexpensive as a temporary home ( moho,travel trailer ). That would be our BOL for now. Until I could build better. As for now each day I can alittle more stock up each time I see a good sale...sort through our belongings, keep what is useful,and perge what is not needed.

Is anyone else having issues trying to return to this Site? Cause I am since Monday July 23rd. Almost wondering if being monitored. I am just trying to prepare for my family and be able to be completely off the grid and self sufficient without needing or allowing government interference.
Really got me wondering if sites like these that help others,are being monitored without anyone's knowledge.

Welcome,

No, I don't have any issues getting to the site

As for the canning, that is a great idea, I am avid canner myself, and between drying food, water bath and pressure canning, there is not much that can't be put up, I do use my freezers but mainly for meat.

Good luck with all your plans and will watch for your posts in the future

Access has not changed at all for me. Must be a local disturbance.

Same here, never had a problem with the site but I have had lots of internet problems. Not so many lately thank goodness.

Thanks all,

Good to know it might just be my own access issue.
Okay so now that I know where I'm going with the stockpiling of food. What would be the most logical next step? I figure it would be extra large well stocked first aid kit and medicines and antibiotics, just in case. I believe the next step would then be the necessary powerless tools to build or rebuild, make gardens, hunt people, kill food. Then I believe my next step would to secure mobile housing temporarily to be able to leave the Fraser Valley safely,until at such time I can build a home from the land as I won't be able to bring building supplies with me.
If I'm missing something to my plan, please feel free to let me know.

Water..... a means to filter it to a potable state. A means to store a reasonable amount... say at least a 2 week supply on hand and to have at least that ON HAND at all times. Transportable as well. 5 gallon containers refillable. Mobile housing.. perhaps... a tent and tarp setup definitely. And practice.... till you know how your equipment functions and have confidence in it. You don't want your first experiecne to be reading the instructions when you are stressed and in danger. Plus you want your family to have some familiarity with roughing it. Just some thoughts.

Thanks Justabear,

Yes water would be a necessity for sure. I like the 5 gallon pain idea with lids, keeps water safe and drinkable. I was thinking iodine drops to possibly purify water. As for mobile safe home or BOL I'm in the middle of trying secure something through bartering. As this is the only means I can do this.Plus I'll have a place to store all necessitates. But while getting all things together I'm going to be checking over the mechanics and electrical. Plus using your idea ptactice,practice....so it will be second nature when the time comes to leave.