My Family are zombies!

[mariposa]

My daughter didn't understand my prepping for a long time. When I'd start getting what we needed for the "hurricane stash," she thought I was overdoing it. When I'd closely monitor tropical weather in the Gulf, she thought I was getting worked up over nothing. Even as we were securing potential projectiles and cleaning up the yard in anticipation of Hurricane Ike, she said, "Mom, nothing's going to happen." We woke up the next morning to no power and very little water. Something happened. Even though something happened, she and I still had plenty of food and had hot meals when we wanted them. We had plenty of clean clothing to wear because I told her we had to wash it all before Ike hit. She is now very much on board and has a different view of why Mom does what she does.

[MeganLynn85]

These are the ones that get me in trouble, the ones that we dont use regularly.
She refers to these items as my "psycho stockpile".

I can understand a spouse not being on board but to deride someone like that is unacceptable, certainly not something I would tolerate from someone who is supposed to be my partner.

My husband started putting together his "zombie pack" about a year ago and to be honest I made fun of him to a little bit and would be slightly embarrassed when he told other people about it. The more he started putting in there the more use full I saw it. Then after a while I started saying "I hope Im with you when something does go down!" So then I started thinking more. He works in another state and only comes home every couple of weeks so its just me and my 4 year old son 90% percent of the time. If some emergency situation did happen theres a good chance he wouldn't be with us or wouldnt even be able to get to us. He told me about this web site this week and now I want to start prepping and putting together "zombie bags" for me and my son. I finally realized that its not fair to just rely on my husband to take care of us and that if shtf I need to be able to take care of myself and my son solo. So be patient ya'll and hopefully your wives/girlfriends will come around. And the best part is now my husband is making fun of me, for making fun of him

[Silent Kube]

These are the ones that get me in trouble, the ones that we dont use regularly.
She refers to these items as my "psycho stockpile".

I can understand a spouse not being on board but to deride someone like that is unacceptable, certainly not something I would tolerate from someone who is supposed to be my partner.

My husband started putting together his "zombie pack" about a year ago and to be honest I made fun of him to a little bit and would be slightly embarrassed when he told other people about it. The more he started putting in there the more use full I saw it. Then after a while I started saying "I hope Im with you when something does go down!" So then I started thinking more. He works in another state and only comes home every couple of weeks so its just me and my 4 year old son 90% percent of the time. If some emergency situation did happen theres a good chance he wouldn't be with us or wouldnt even be able to get to us. He told me about this web site this week and now I want to start prepping and putting together "zombie bags" for me and my son. I finally realized that its not fair to just rely on my husband to take care of us and that if shtf I need to be able to take care of myself and my son solo. So be patient ya'll and hopefully your wives/girlfriends will come around. And the best part is now my husband is making fun of me, for making fun of him

Do a search for bug out bags on this site. There are several threads that might give you some inspiration.

[TWhite260]

I like to think of my self as an amateur "prepper" We have first aid kits, survival food, gas stove, gas heat, gas hot water, generator etc.

My wife would have absulutely NOTHING if I didn't buy it. Well, maybe a first aid kit with nothing but those little round band aids and some anti itch cream in it. So she doesn't really say too much when I show her the neat stuff I bought. Usually its "What did you buy that for?" and when I explain it, she says "Oh." and that's the end of it. My sons getting better, but still not really interested.

Well, we had a 3 day power outage over here a while ago and let me tell you, it sure was nice having light, heat, food, hot showers, clean clothing etc. Shoot, the first night we even had the neighbors over for a spaghetti dinner wth french bread cooked on the BBQ and lots of cold beer. It was in the mid 20's and we were fine. Just like camping.

[Anianna]

I haven't read the entire thread yet, but my response to the OP is that natural disasters happen all the time, so what's so paranoid about being prepared? Preparedness doesn't have to be about some major apocalypse. Start prepping for what your family might consider more reasonable expectations and let them brainstorm on the types of disasters they think are reasonable to expect and build from there. Once you brainstorm all of the possible "reasonable" possibilities, you are well on your way to being well stocked for even the ones they think are paranoid.

[Tater Raider]

On topic: I am relentless about Bug-Out Bags for the grown kids. I have a deal with them that provided they keep them up I keep quiet on the rest of prepping unless asked. Even they can see the wisdom of beign able to grab a bag with clothing, a snack, something to drink when you are going to be standing outside watching the dorm burn down.

Is the dorm burning down likley? No, but it happens often enough to have rules on smoke detectors and the like so it's a "Just-in-Case" thing that I hope they never use, and they get that and are on-board that much.

As they grow older, maybe I'll change their mind a bit. My dad's survivalist nature carried over into my prepping and he's been supportive, even if I disagree with him about some survivalist/prepper scenarios.

[KnightoftheRoc]

Go cut off the power and water for a day, let them see how unprepared they are .

hahahaha...good idea!

Actually, it is.
Since you mentioned being in CT I assume you mean hurricane Irene. If something like that happens, and your being prepared for it didn't work any magic, you may be SOL, brother. We typically lose power about three times a year, on average here. These blackouts are something I personally welcome. I can sit in my recliner, smoking my pipe, and reading a book while the rest of the town is groping about in the dark. My fiancee has learned how to cook dinner on the gas stove by lantern light, and knows how to operate the kerosene pump to refill things- at least in theory. You can only fill just so many lanterns before you run out of practice items.

I'm hoping we lose power during the cold weather one of these days, so we can practice cooking over the kero heater. Since we're on city water, and have a gas service, luxuries like hot water and flushing whenever you like are my next targets for a practice run. I'll turn them off with the power one evening before bed, and see how everyone manages, AFTER I've gone over things with the family. I try to work in at least one "family meeting" a month, so we can discuss whatever is bothering anyone, get up to date on stuff, and just generally have a sit-down dinner with everyone at the table for a change- with everyone working different schedules, that can be tough to manage.

[Yrkoon9]

I really enjoyed reading this thread.

My wifes family came down to visit for a week. I got poked fun at a little by everyone - but I am by no means as prepared as any of you. I have half a dozen totes with camping gear, food, water, and the little neccessities neatly packed away in the 2nd bedroom.

Reading this made me realize I am not alone in being thought weird by the family. And some of your suggestions make a lot of sense. I just bit my tongue and didn't say anything at the time.

[Silent Kube]

Not saying this is the case with everyone, but in my experience the ones that like to make fun are the ones that are scared I'm actually right. Being dismissive is their way of trying to convince themselves that everything's okay and always will be. I hope that made sense, I'm running on very little sleep.

[squinty]

Sounds plausible to me, 'Kube.

One way to convince people might be to reassure them that you aren't convinced that the 2012 event/the rapture/a takeover by the new world order/nuclear doomsday/deep impact comet strike/greater great depression is just around the corner. Not all disasters are world ending in scope or fringe improbable. So tell people you prep just because shit happens. Who among us could argue that shit doesn't happen? You don't have to be an insane doomsday prepper to know that sometimes tornadoes can do a lot of damage to a city, or that there was recently a tsunami in Japan, or an earthquake in Mexico City, or a hurricane and flooding in New Orleans. The idea that all preppers care about is some mythic apocalyptic disaster is silly. Pick up a newspaper any given day, and you can probably find news of an unpleasant event somewhere in the world, the effects of which would have been ameliorated by a few precautions - stored food, first aid equipment, emergency shelter, a firearm or a generator - these are practical items to have, even if the world doesn't end. House catches fire? Not the end of the world - you've got homeowner's, right - Nice to have a bug out bag and pre-determined BOL to go. Nearest gas station doesn't have Regular for a few days or weeks? (happened to me a couple years ago when gas prices spiked one summer. I lived out in the boonies and for awhile the local truck stop - the only place to buy gas that wasn't miles away from me - just stopped stocking 87 octane gas. It was too expensive, they said, and they'd get accused of gouging if they sold it and charged enough to make it worth their while.) The couple jerry cans of Stabil or Sea-Foam treated gas you kept in the shed might come in handy.

[Jenny]

Hmmm. Uh I think the proper songs for this are songs from Rammestein like Du Hast, Das Alte Leid, etc., and Sonne. I honestly don't know. I have some family members maybe all that believe that zombies don't exist. But I believe that they do.

[ZomCon Sargeant]

I have told certain family members that if anything ever happens and they need food that they can expect a little help but not a lot as I have expressed my concerns about their well being and how they should prepare themselves.

The ones that have children should be responsible enough to know this in my opinion. But most don't. I will give them food for their children but they should not expect me to give them food. Maybe shelter but not food or water. It's a tough life. The only reason I would feed their children is that they are family in the first place and they kids do not know any better but the adults should.

[OTTB]

My fiance is semi-on board with my prepping. She understands it's something that is important to do, I think my what my family is going through with Sandy right now hit home to her. She's ok with having her own side arm and going shooting with me and doing some prepper type stuff but she's still not all the way on board with it despite how much I'd like her to be. It's more like she's keeping me balanced from going overboard with my preps while still being supportive. We are weird people.

[ForgeCorvus]

I fail to understand how some people think.

Having smoke detectors is OK, but having duplicates of important papers is weird (Having detectors means you admit that your house could catch fire)
Having a torch by the back door is OK, but having one in the bedroom is strange (Power-cuts during the day are less of a problem with the whole 'seeing' thing)
Fire extinguishers should be kept in the kitchen or the car.....Supposedly (I keep one under the bed, I'm more likely to be asleep and be woken by a detector )


At least you lot understand where I'm coming from

[duodecima]

Fire extinguishers should be kept in the kitchen or the car.....Supposedly (I keep one under the bed, I'm more likely to be asleep and be woken by a detector )


At least you lot understand where I'm coming from

There is a reason you can't have an extinguisher in (or just outside) the kitchen (likely source of fire, esp during cooking activities) AND the bedroom? I've got like 4, sitting in easily visible locations in the house. (People are forever strange, glad ZS is here to tell us we're not crazy )

[Evan the Diplomat]

Has anyone pointed out the effects of superstorm Sandy? Did seeing millions of people without power, thousands trapped in their upper floors due to flood water waters, shortages of gasoline, soap or cash change anyone's mind?

My wife hates running out of things so she is a natural prep-shopper.

[duodecima]

My wife hates running out of things so she is a natural prep-shopper.

That was me, pre-prepping. Not a bad way to start.

[Pockie]

I think part of the reason some family members can be hard to convince is BECAUSE they're family. Even though I'll be 30 next month, most of my aunts/uncles/older cousins still think, "Aww, how cute!" whenever I go on and on about a topic I feel strongly about. (It might have something to do with the fact that I still get excited about Tinkerbell, toe socks, and like to wear pig-tails on occasion, but still...) I know I have trouble sometimes reminding myself that cousins who I changed diapers for and colored with are grown-ups now. I think that's why it can sometimes work to expose them to other people who have whatever mentality you're trying to expose them to. That way, they see that "real" people think that way too, not just "kids".
While your spouse or children don't have that as an excuse, it always seems to be easier to dismiss things said by those closest to you, for some reason.
Try to see the benefit in their skepticism. It may help keep you in check and stop you from buying the newest tactikewl crap that comes out when something else will work just fine.

[NamelessStain]

I have some friends who went through Sandy in PA. Only 1 hasn't asked me about prepping, but they had no ill effects. The rest, yea they are already asking questions.

One I was really worried about was a former EMT and now an ER nurse. I convinced him a while back to pick up a few things. He had to dip into the bag a few times for some items, but mostly went unscathed through Sandy. Still, he called me and told me the stories and thanked me for making him build a BOB. Now his GF has her bag "up and ready".

What I did was give them a list of basic items to have in the bag. Each item was more of the common sense kind of thing. Fire, water, cooking pot, etc. So she was worried I was going to make crazy suggestions, but after reading the list, she was on board. She said "It's like getting ready to go camping", lol. We talk about every week or two and they tell me what they've done. Sometimes I just send them a bushcraft video and they can watch on their own time.

These are 2 excellent people whom I was really concerned about in a PAW situation. Now, I feel more relieved that they have bags and understand the plans of where to bug out, what to bring, and how to get there (alternate routes). He's probably our #1 resource for emergency medical attention and a high value person for a PAW, IMHO.

[ForgeCorvus]

Fire extinguishers should be kept in the kitchen or the car.....Supposedly (I keep one under the bed, I'm more likely to be asleep and be woken by a detector )


At least you lot understand where I'm coming from

There is a reason you can't have an extinguisher in (or just outside) the kitchen (likely source of fire, esp during cooking activities) AND the bedroom? I've got like 4, sitting in easily visible locations in the house. (People are forever strange, glad ZS is here to tell us we're not crazy )

I've got one in the kitchen as well....Its just when you mention that you have others in other rooms of the house you co-workers look at you like you've grown another head or something

We're not mad...We're Prepared

[NamelessStain]

Make them watch doomsday preppers from Nat Geo. Maybe that would work.

Edited for entertainment value.

[Jsimmonsgr]

My issue wasn't with prepping in general, that was not a problem. Stocking food and water was always on my ( now ex) fiancees agenda, came from being a appalaecian by birth ( from west by-god virginia no less). My issue was weapons and ammo. " why do we need 10000 + rounds of .308 BTHP? Why are there 5000 rnds of 9mm stocked under the sink in the bathroom? What in the name of satans asshole do we need 18 cases of 5.56 M855 in the closet for?!" " Why are you buying more gun? We already have enought to equip a small third world nation!" I just kept plugging right along and doing my thing, if the arguement turned nasty I would suggest that she go get a job and buy whatever doodad was in question ( most of the time it was dvds or video game stuff) her damn self.

Of couse, as someone mentioned on a different thread, eventually it got so bad that I ended up breaking it off. Now I am with someone who not only understands, but helps me sort the ammo!

[NamelessStain]

" Why are you buying more gun? We already have enought to equip a small third world nation!"

Because I plan to be KING of that third world nation!

[Jsimmonsgr]

" Why are you buying more gun? We already have enought to equip a small third world nation!"

Because I plan to be KING of that third world nation!

My favorite response was ' For the same reason you have a million shoes and only two feet. Each one has a time and a place where it will be usefull. I can't damn well hide a 1911 under a form fitting tux when you drag me to a "nice dinner", nor do I want to get caught with my pants down and ass in the air holding nothing but a .380 if we are camping and run into a fucking bear. So there. '.

I was even nice enought to make it rhyme for her.