Kids and prepping

This is a tough one to answer.
IMHO - we have changed the ground rules so much that we have lost something along the way. That is, kids having the respect for people that we had at there age. We seem to be pushing it's the "It's not your fault" and "You don't have to do that - you have rights". Don't get me wrong some of this is a good change, but for a parent to face prosecution for reprimanding their child with a smack on the bum that's seen in a public place like a supermarket where that kid was a real 'feral', sends a message to these kids that "Hey - I can get away with anything now" attitude. I have seen this happen again and again.
We are sending the kids such a wrong message a lot of the time that you would of noticed they are getting harder to manage (I not saying this applies to yours, but this is a general observation made over time and talking with other parents).
It brings to mind the saying "WE REAP WHAT WE SO."
Guess time will tell what will happen in future SHTF or other bad situations that we have yet to face.

I have a toddler at home and I can say that NO, there is NO POSSIBLE WAY she can sit quietly for long periods, run and hide (although somedays I'm not so sure...), follow an order or not whine. She's 17 months old, it's not gonna happen. I can totally understand the frustration when dealing with kids (especially if you don't have any) but sometimes, yes, they will be a pain no matter what kind of parenting you do. In our case, it's an age thing and will only get better with time. I'm not condoning this kind of blatantly bad behaviour in say a 7 or 8 year old, but a toddler or preschooler is not going to act the way you want them to 100% of the time. It does worry me in a SHTF situation though and I've thought of what could happen if we're trying to survive without notice somewhere and I have to say it's not going to be fun. I'm scared. BUT it will get better with time.

I need to turn this around too and ask for patience and understanding from the adults as well. Do you always remember acting the way you were "supposed" to when you were little? In a SHTF scenario, remember please that parents will be stressed to the max, and those with very young children most stressed of all. Two adults on their own, or those with teenagers, are in a much better situation just with mobility, never mind discipline. Those children will be a help to their parents and able to carry their own weight so to speak. My toddler? Nope. Everything will be falling on us. We only have one...I can't even imagine what parents of 2, 3, 4 or more will do!

In a SHTF scenario I would hope that those around me have enough empathy to understand that in an already stressful situation my little one may not be at her best. But then again, neither may you, and you don't have age to use as an excuse!

It's a big worry as well to think that our family could be rejected by people simply because we do have a small child who will either A) be unable to stay hidden and quiet, B) possibly annoy the heck out of people or C) be too small to move quickly. I also worry about people after SHTF...child predators unfortunately won't spontaneously combust. More's the pity.

My little one is well disciplined, but she is also a sweet, curious, precocious and energetic toddler. And she fully acts like one. Not all parents today are lax in educating their children on how to behave in a social setting, not all are unwilling to fix behaviour problems that arise. Our daughter will know what respect is, what rules are, and when to apply them. She will also know when to abandon them for her own safety. But, yet again, this will come with time. She is after all, pretty fresh here on this planet.

We are a blended family with 6 kids.All I can say is that the kids now days are spoiled and selfish . The new generation became that way from having so called to many rights. Spanking is out. Even kids can be labeled as child labour if they have a large chor list. They all expect to have cell phones, a car, brand name clothing all given to them just because. Even mowing the lawn has to be done on their time when they feal like it. Our kids are ok with us preping but they seem to believe that we have enough stockpiled . They would rather hang out at a freinds than having a weekend out in the bush let alone chop wood.
Its hard nowdays being a parent compaired to the past generations. Life is getting to complex and fast pased. I do know that the kids would be the hardest to adjust to the old ways post appocolipse.

I totally understand mamabear and it really was more directed toward children a little older than toddlers 🙂
Yes it is a concern and I am thankful mine are now older and are really into the prepping as well which does make it a lot easier having an extra two sets of hands.
But as you said "This will come with time" 🙂

The current load of spoiled children in society may improve in character when/during/after the SHTF...here's hoping 😐

This is an area I'm working on. My daughter is 9 and is super obedient. She wants nothing more than to please Mom, and loves to be helpful. Always has been. My son, who is turning 5, is very stubborn and spirited. He is the most polite, gentlemanly fellow to many people out of the house, holding open doors, using manners, and striking up conversation with anyone he meets. Then he turns away and that mischievous smile creeps across his lips, and he'll kick his sister and run away. THAT, is my son 🙂 I'm working very hard to change his behaviour, not only for my sanity but because I believe children should be respectful and disciplined and kept in line so to speak. Of course kids will get in trouble and be silly and goofy, but there's a time and a place for that. I also don't want any child of mine to be any kind of hindrance or negative distraction when SHTF because we will all need to pull together and work as a team, no matter the ages. I think most importantly though, is that if things get really bad and I need my kids to listen to everything I say immediately or their lives could be in danger, I want to know that he will absolutely listen no matter what. It's tough, but I know we'll get there.

I'm 14 years old which is a kid/teen sort of age and I'm trying to convince my family to prep. my mum is pretty easy to convince because she listens but my sister(16) acts like I'm insane and remains ignorant. if the SHTF i would probably be the leader although i don't know how i would get my sister to bug out. she would be the type that sits there and says "wait for the government they'll help" any tips on that would help because im not exactly a parent of any sort and i am not used to bossing people around.

When my kids were little people I babysat for other families. Some of the kids were family friends. I'm sure my friend thought I was the worst mother (although she did want me to be her babysitter..) I had a playroom with a gate and when the kids were in there I could do my housework and make lunch in peace knowing they were in a safe place. When her two-hoodlums came over they refused to play - they spent their whole time trying to escape the playroom. They just could not play on their own and their mother wouldn't let them play on their own. My kids had rules of behaviour, chores, set bedtimes, went to church because I said so 🙂 and had respect for their fathers home office, where generally kind to one another but they were kids! etc. My friends behavior and lack of discipline continued on without change until this day.

Fast forward 20 years - my kids are church attenders, with good jobs, one is married to a very nice Aussie boy, they work hard and are home lots and are a real pleasure to be around. We go on vacation together because we love to be together. I feel we have done our job as parents - we love you but please leave home and go have your own life. We'll be there to support and cheer you on and you can know that we will be there if something serious goes wrong.

These grown up kids from the other family - don't go to church, are working (good on them!) are not married, are never home except to mooch - not even expected to pay room and board with fulltime wages coming in - are certainly NOT a pleasure to be around because I am not fond of rude drunk people. My friend spent 12 hours at one of their apartments painting yesterday - while her kid went to a cottage for the weekend. In the past she signed them up for college and picked their classes and their schedules for them. The parents are constantly being put down, sworn at etc. When they go away for the weekend they ask us to check on the house and make sure their are no big parties happening because the one kid that still lives at home - who is now 21 years old - can't be trusted.

I have said all this to give you my two cents worth of advice. Start NOW. If they get of to a bad start the sooner it can be corrected the better. Have the attitude that being a parent is the most important job you will ever have! If your young child (not a baby) doesn't respect the rules they need to be gently and with great patience be made aware that some things are simply not acceptable. Sometimes the - BECAUSE I'M THE MOM - line is all that is required for obedience. When they get older you can explain more but little kids just need to be obedient because you said so.

I work with at risk teenagers and although I love them to pieces their life choices and constant stupidity just boggles my mind. It seems no matter what good counsel you give them they choose to do the opposite. I breaks my heart to see all the trouble they get into that common sense would have saved them from. Most of them are from broken or abusive homes and I often say - if only....

Mamabear and BCPrepGirl - just being aware of the issues and working on it little by little is exactly the way you will find success in the end.

MarlPrepper - hang in there! It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders! Keep working on Mom with good reasoned arguments about what you are learning - your sister is your mom's responsibility - you just love them both and keep making preparations as you can! As a Mom I am very proud of you! Keep going!

Congratulations on your post Anita. Excellent advice based on real life experience balanced observation also based on real life experience. It does not come any better than that!

Marl. If they dont listen now, they wont listen after either. If your parents dont take you seriously now, they wont after either IMO. You see, as a parent we are supposed to be more wise and knowing than our children. For some parents they can not accept that their kids are smarter and in some cases have a better understanding of the world around them. I have worked with some complete idiots (all they seem to know is their work) and then at company gatherings found out their kids were a better conversation and had a higher knowledge about a variety of subjects than their parents. Adults are just old kids with a higher ego.

Well said Anita...we are on the same page with raising kids and mine went from being kids to adults skipping those horrible teenage years 😀
I once had a lady tell me my kids were only good because they feared us and we needed to raise them with love, the kids at 15 & 16 at the time screamed with laughter when they heard that one 😆

Yes being aware is half the issue, a lot of people are blinded by loyalty to their kids and don't even realize what's going on. My neighbour constantly says about her 10 yr old daughter, "Oh she is going to be trouble as a teenager" but then does absolutely nothing to guide her in a different direction. The grandmother who lives on the property as well is always saying to my daughter "She looks up to you, can you tell her to stop 'such and such behaviour'??"

Good on you Marl...I think parents listen a lot better than siblings do, I'm in the same situation. My mum will listen to me but my siblings most think I'm cracked in the head and some go so far as to tell me so! I'm the youngest too and I think that always makes it worse...they still treat me like I'm a kid rather than 40 years old 🙄 so as far as I am concerned they are on their own when the SHTF

I have to say this is a very good discussion, My advise for Marl is this; make your B.O.B..Devise a plan, and if you ever need it you have it....[ "Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it"]..You sound like a very mature young lady, Don't try and boss them just keep talking to them; with the meetings i have organised there is no bossing just lots of talking, sometimes you may have to keep them focused on the task at hand, but just keep the discussion going....
Keep prepping and keep nattering at them, maybe some day they will encounter some thing or see some thing that will cause them to join in until then, good luck and keep prepping...
With that said and bit of topic, I have to agree with the discipline, the kids today are to self centered, and expect some one else to do it for them...I grew up with a father from a very German house hold and a mother right from the U.K. I was not an abused kid by any means, but when mom and dad told you to do something you did it, maybe twice but there was never a third time...
My only child was brought up the same way and I am very proud of --- accomplishments, well on --- way to very good education,and with a bit of luck and hard work will have a wonderful life....

Can I ask: those of you who have survived the toddler, preschooler and young child years...what advice would you give for prepping for a SHTF situation with these ages? I'm trying to cover all my bases here but I feel that all you older and wiser parents probably have some AMAZING ideas and insights.

I grew up in a home where I was able to see about 40+ kids come and go within the ages of 1-10. What is it you need to know? I am not older but I did learn a lot.

Mostly just wondering about stuff to have prepared that I wouldn't have thought of.