Prepping

You may have heard a little bit about the concept of  "prepping" over the past couple months. Whether from the recent History Channel show "Preppers" or on the news ever since Hurricane Sandy and the "end of the world" this past December. Its been a popular topic and still a bit taboo. If you're a real prepper you're not really suppose to be talking about your prepping because heaven forbid if disaster ends up happening to you, your neighbor may try to get in on your stash! Plus, if you do talk about it...people might begin to think you are a little coo-coo! But I'm talking about it! There is a greater cause to talking about it than the risk of the world knowing that yes in fact, my family and I do partake in preparing for an array of disasters. In all honestly, I think its our responsibility as parents TO PREPARE ourselves and our families for as many life scenarios as possible.  I am sure that many other responsible parents have an 8 month financial emergency fund in case someone loses their job. That doesn't sound too crazy? And I'm sure others of you make sure you have updated batteries in your flashlights, smoke detectors, or own generators, emergency radios, or have actually drilled with your family a meeting spot "in case" something happens like a home fire.  Prepping for other disasters such as tornadoes or long term electrical grid outings is not that far fetched...not these days anyways! Ok, ok, ok, there are some more extreme versions of prepping...that kind of sensation makes TV worth watching! What I'm advising is that a good parent will assess & determine what kinds of disasters are possible where they live, what is realistic? And then begin researching & preparing for your family's well-being should such an event occur.  We CAN learn from the past...we are a brilliant & resilient species...though more often than not, our mind gets the better of our instincts, and we say "It won't happen to me." 

So you may be wondering "where to start" in terms of your prepping? If you aren't wondering this then no need to continue reading! lol... One site I found helpful is the Ohio Preppers Network  ohio.preppersnetwork.net. There is a forum board where lots and lots of people have posted questions and you can read the responses. Topics from gardening to HAM radios. It is interesting to see what people are up to if nothing else! Ok, maybe it's just interesting to me! lol!  Another place to start is to think about the basics...food, water, shelter, access to information if you are cut off from it, and protection from danger.  For example, food can be handled a bunch of different ways...there is gardening (season dependent), canning, hunting, eating whatever you have non-perishable in your cupboard, MREs, or other prepared meals. Once you determine your preferred method(s) then you can make arrangements accordingly.  For water it is actually not recommended that you rely solely on bottled water. It is good if the situation is short term, however, long term you may consider investing in a water purification system and know the location of a nearby water source. And so on... The extent to which one preps is up to them & their family, however, I do think it is important to be prepared to the best of ones abilities.
Like any parent, I don't look forward to telling my kids that bad things happen or that things happen beyond our control that may or may not impact us directly. As a good parent, I know that it is important that I do what I can to keep my family safe & alive during short term, realistic crisis. My philosophy is that if something huge happens, there is little I can do to prepare...I'll either survive or not (luck of the draw). But there are many other situations that ARE possible in which survival is
IS do-able IF prepared.
As a new year dawns on us once again....take stock of your blessings and consider prepping to keep them.