I've been mulling over the idea of 'preparedness' for a while now, always putting it off as impractical, unnecessry, etc. Seeing how the goverment has failed those in NY/NJ after Sandy has solidified the idea that we as Americans can no longer rely on the government in an emergency. Being a devoted husband and father, I need to make some basic changes to at least try and make things easier for my family should there be another natural or man-made disaster.
First and foremost, if the impending zombie apocalypse becomes reality or we get invaded by aliens, welp, we had a good run. I'm not looking to prepare for the end of the world or to re-populate the Earth after some super flu pandeminc. However, if my wife or I get stuck on 93 and need to get home (MA/NH border) we have basic supplies in our cars. If the power grid fails or there is a food/gas shortage, we can ride it out for 30 days at home.
My wife either thinks I'm a bit nuts or is good at teasing me. How can I get her to understand that stocking up on some essentials, at least initially, is not a waste of time/energy/money and that some extra cans of soup or kidney beans or sacks of rice is not "doomsday prepping?" Has anyone else had this challenge?
Similarly, I am in the process of getting my LTC-A as I recognize preparing for an emergency also involves personal defense, which has also posed its share of problems with the Mrs., which is odd as she grew up with guns. She feels that somehow our kids would find the gun safe, get passed the biometric lock, trigger lock, load the magazine, chamber a round and pull the trigger.
I, on the other hand, would rather start the kids (8 and 6) now in teaching firearms familiarity/saftey and emergency preparedness.
I am completely new at the practical side of this - not even sure what goes into a GHB or what I should be aiming for as far as per-person caloric intake should food become scarce. I ordered a book that was recommended to me about family preparedness basics so that should help, but currently we all lead pretty sedentary lifestyles aside from daily trips to the gym, and what I want to do is have all of just a bit more comfortable with the idea of self reliance and what to do in an emergency.
So, end of rambling, unfocused entry. I'm sure everyone has their own ideas on the subject and I'm looking forward to reading them.
First and foremost, if the impending zombie apocalypse becomes reality or we get invaded by aliens, welp, we had a good run. I'm not looking to prepare for the end of the world or to re-populate the Earth after some super flu pandeminc. However, if my wife or I get stuck on 93 and need to get home (MA/NH border) we have basic supplies in our cars. If the power grid fails or there is a food/gas shortage, we can ride it out for 30 days at home.
My wife either thinks I'm a bit nuts or is good at teasing me. How can I get her to understand that stocking up on some essentials, at least initially, is not a waste of time/energy/money and that some extra cans of soup or kidney beans or sacks of rice is not "doomsday prepping?" Has anyone else had this challenge?
Similarly, I am in the process of getting my LTC-A as I recognize preparing for an emergency also involves personal defense, which has also posed its share of problems with the Mrs., which is odd as she grew up with guns. She feels that somehow our kids would find the gun safe, get passed the biometric lock, trigger lock, load the magazine, chamber a round and pull the trigger.
I, on the other hand, would rather start the kids (8 and 6) now in teaching firearms familiarity/saftey and emergency preparedness.
I am completely new at the practical side of this - not even sure what goes into a GHB or what I should be aiming for as far as per-person caloric intake should food become scarce. I ordered a book that was recommended to me about family preparedness basics so that should help, but currently we all lead pretty sedentary lifestyles aside from daily trips to the gym, and what I want to do is have all of just a bit more comfortable with the idea of self reliance and what to do in an emergency.
So, end of rambling, unfocused entry. I'm sure everyone has their own ideas on the subject and I'm looking forward to reading them.