Editors Note: I ran across this article last week and I figured with Mothers Day being around the corner this would be a great salute to all of the survival moms out there!
Survival Moms tend to be a bunch you’d want on your side when you’ve broken down in the desert or locked yourself out of the car, again.
I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve “swooped to the rescue” with a multi-tool, or band-aid.
It feels good to be someone who can be counted on when times are tough.
But, is there a possible downside to always being prepared?
I say there is. The very people you’re aiming to protect, your family, just may come to expect you to always have whatever it is they may need, want or wish for, at any given moment.
In fact, they may forget to do anything at all for themselves. Maybe. Not pointing any fingers.
There are at least five things my kids, maybe even my husband, have learned from the rare moments when I’ve been unprepared.
1. Patience: “No honey, sorry, we don’t have any juice in the car. You’ll have to wait until we get home”.
2. Forethought: “Hey, Mom, can we bring my thermos in case I get thirsty on the way again”?
3. Self-reliance: “No, I do not have crayons in my purse, find another way to entertain yourself”.
4. Adaptability: “ Sorry, Yellowstone doesn’t have a baby potty in the outhouse, would you rather squat outside”? (Turns out she would)
5. Although You Are The Most Important People In My World, Your Immediate Comfort May Not Be The Most Urgent Item On my To Do List: “Uh-oh kids. I forgot the bag with the snow pants in it. The good news is I have a first-aid kit, gloves and toothbrushes for everyone in my purse”! Which brings us back to #1.
I’m not saying you should go for an over-nighter in the winter woods without the snow gear on purpose. But maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to occasionally “forget” to pack your kids an extra snack, or pair of gloves, or your husband’s iPad charger when you‘ll be otherwise safe and taken care of. You’ll be delighted at how they begin thinking of these things for themselves, thereby becoming valuable members to your prepping team.
To give credit where credit is due, this was originally posted on survivalmom.com as a guest post from Magi over at, Half Acre Heaven.
