When building up your food storage and preparation stock, it is often over looked how to include family members. We hope to address that here in Preparation Step #2.
In an ideal world, your family members (be they extended members, siblings, a spouse or children) would whole heartedly see what you were doing and be not only supportive but jump right in with enthusiastic vigor to help. After all, what is family for, right? Well, obviously if we feel the need for preparing for hard times and having ample food on hand, we’re not living in an ‘ideal world’ now are we? So, what do we do?
Well, if you are solely preparing a storehouse for just yourself, you may not have to worry about this, but then again, wouldn’t it be nice to know that if a family member (who thought you were ‘off your rocker’) were in need, you could be ready, able and willing to help them – even if they didn’t support your efforts prior to their need? I believe you’d answer ‘yes’ – so you may want to take some of these steps to at least attempt to include your family members in your journey to preparedness:
· Remind them that you are not an alarmist, you are simply being prudent.
· Learn skills to USE your long-term pantry items. This goes a long way to prove to family that you’re not just storing up in fear.
· Teach family members about what you are doing and why. Fear of the unknown often makes people act like ostriches and hide their heads in the sand.
· If you are a parent, starts passing some of the skills you have to your children. Gardening, baking from scratch, canning, and more are valuable and lost arts that will be cherished for generations.
· Include your family as you build your WORKABLE pantry. Don’t just buy/store things that store well – if no one will eat them – you’ve wasted money. Buy what your family (or you) already will eat. Get everyone involved in thinking ‘What will we eat, that we can also store a good long time?’
By educating family members rather than telling them – “We have to do this!” you will be including them on your journey. In this journey, it’s always nice to know you aren’t alone…in some cave…hiding out with a huge stockpile of baked beans…..so include your family members, somehow.
Best Blessings and enJOY the journey!
Donna
Donna Miller is a work-from-home wife and mother. She delighted to share her trials and triumphs of learning to homestead anywhere. The Millers own and operate
Popular Questions
Why should you include your family members in this preparation step?
Including family members makes sure everyone understands the plan and knows how to participate. Discuss the preparation step together so each person can ask questions and share useful ideas. Assign responsibilities that match each person’s age, abilities, and availability.
How can you involve family members in preparing together?
Start with a short family discussion about what needs to be prepared and why it matters. Divide the work into clear tasks, such as gathering supplies, checking storage areas, or recording important information. Set a completion date and review the results together.
What responsibilities should family members have during preparation?
Give each family member a specific responsibility rather than asking everyone to handle the same task. Older children and adults can manage detailed planning, while younger children can help with simple, supervised jobs. Keep a written list of assignments so everyone knows what to do and when it is finished.
How can you make including your family members easier?
Choose a convenient time when the household can focus without interruptions. Explain the preparation steps in plain language and demonstrate unfamiliar tasks before asking someone to complete them. Check in afterward to resolve concerns, update assignments, and confirm that the entire family is ready.
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