Prepping your child is widely preached, but we don’t seem to have gotten it right yet. Parents and guardians are divided into two dominant groups when it comes to prepping children. A group is staunchly against it, as they are unwilling to accept that they will not always be there to protect their kids. The other group, however, practices the idea but often goes overboard while at it.
Let’s see how parents can properly prep their children for SHTF situations.
Components of Your Kid’s Emergency Bug-out Kit
Children are still very tender and do not have the same strength as you do. While I am totally against laziness, it is wrong to push them too far as well. As such, it is necessary to stock their kits only with items that most suit their skill and age level and keep in mind what they can comfortably carry. Overloading a child’s survival kit is hardly effective.
As a matter of fact, your kid’s survival kit should be light enough for him to carry alongside his backpack. He doesn’t need much to carry; here are common examples of things to pack for him:
- Small, portable first-aid toolkit
- Whistle for signaling
- Compass
- Map of your locality
- Emergency blanket or first-aid blanket
- Emergency poncho, or trash bag as an alternative
- Ferro rod & striker, for starting a fire without matchsticks
- Duct tape, preferably Gorilla brand
- Glow sticks
- Portable, non-perishable foods, including Clif Bars, dried fruits, fruit leather, or granola bars.
- Collapsible water container & filter, for example, Sawyer Mini Water Filter
- Laminated identification card containing child’s names, parents’ names, home address, telephone number, and other important pieces of info.
Tips For Prepping Your Child
Teach Them
You should know that building an emergency kit for your kid and handing it over to him is not enough. You have to teach him or her how to utilize each supply that he carries. Make him understand that his safety and that of others is what matters most. Also, he should realize that he has a responsibility towards others. Plus, prepping with your kids is a fantastic bonding activity for your family
Consider Their Age
On some occasions, you may be carried away teaching your kids, and you may, therefore, be very keen on ensuring that they know all skills essential for survival. This can only cause the kids to feel scared or overwhelmed while you also get frustrated. When this starts happening, relax and take a break to confirm if you’re sticking with age-appropriate lessons and skills.
Your kids will do much better at activities they have the ability to carry out. Therefore, you have to help them feel good by starting with the easiest lessons they can quickly learn. As their confidence grows, you can introduce other skills. For example, you can first teach them to signal with the whistle when you’re out of sight or open their emergency kit and take out their ID card.
Takeaways From Prepping Your Child
Regardless of their age, prepping your child can frighten them. Remember that you’re not teaching them how to swing or ride a bicycle; you’re orienting them on what to do when danger shows up. Therefore, what you must do is to reassure them regularly. Help them to see that you trust their abilities. Don’t be harsh or critical; that will only hurt them.
