Been digging and reading some excellent old posts on reacting to crisis situations which brought up a question/issue I have with my family.

To summize, I live about 30 minutes from my parents, who are in their 80's. My brother, who thank God is also a survivalist, lives about 20 minutes from the folks.

My brother and his wife seem to be on the same page with the survivl mindset but to be honest I feel my sister in law will cut and run to be with her parents/family who live close by. They are disturbingly close knit.

I live with my 18 y/old step daughter and my wife. My wife shows interest in prepping but I think its just to be kind to my obsession. My step daughter looked at me like I had 2 heads when I prepped/gave her her BOB.

To further complicate keeping the family intact, my son lives 20 min away with his fiance and 3 kids and has NOTHING prepped nor any funds to save. My oldest son has an arsanalt of assault rifles etc and lives alone 3 towns over.

So I got family scattered within a 50 mile radius and only a small percentile take survival serious. I'd appreciate any help in handling a crisis situation and family instruction. Do I take care of my family/household and provide info and instructions to the others that know little or what?

That's my plan. None of my family members have any interest, not even for conversation. My girlfriend did when we were first going out. Now that our lives are intertwined, she's not faking her interest anymore. It's not going to change. Oh well, what can you do? It's family.

I reckon, I feel the same way as ireckon (sorry, I couldn't resist! LOL!). I'll give any info I can, but they're adults and have to make choices on their own as to what's best for THEM.

Just my 2 centavos...

-Jason

I figure that if disaster befalls my in-laws they'll be lucky to be able to show up at my house bedraggled and without much of anything to contribute. Then they will loudly and repeatedly comment on how "lucky" it is that I have food, water, and so on for them as well as for those that live here.

I would only talk about the survival stuff only if it is a natural part of your conversation. They will resist "proselytizing" if you go out of your way to talk about it. Things like, the new generator (good for hurricanes and ice storms), the extra food (good for hurricanes and ice storms), flashlights ( good for hurricanes and ice storms), and first aid supply upgrades (good for hurricanes and ice storms). But, if they love college basketball, football, or whatever and blab about it, that leaves the door open to your interests. Just make sure you have a natural, everyday, matter-of-fact tone about it.

Have fun!

Oh, and wear the helmet and flak jacket.

My $.02

I don't consider myself a "survivalist".
A "prepper" is better word to describe my attitude and startegy.
Anyway, don't worry. You are not alone.

Not only my family is non-preppers, NONE of the people I know , family, work, anywhere, are preppers. This is why I jumped half a planet over and landed in ETS for info and advice.

My DW used to ridicule or criticize me whenever I bought a few cans or bottles of grocery items ( long lasting stuff like honey or peanut butter). I din't force the preparedness because I knew the natural reaction will be negative. So, be patient and utilize opportunities as they present themselves. My opportunity came when food prices started climbing. Only then she saw it as "smart" to buy more foodstuff every time and be ahead of the game. Now , we mostly buy canned food by the case, not individually.

Like wise, she went to a marriage one time, and there was a power failure. She accepted afterwards to take a small flashlight in her purse.

So, take it easy , and go the "baby steps" way.

My first marriage encountered a power failure as well. Oh! Wait! You mean.......

you can only help people that want to be helped.

Hey, its family. For birthdays buy them water storage. For Christmas make sure they all have NOAA weather radios. Same with LED flashlights, and maybe COSTCO eneloops and chargers to sustain them. Folks don't all understand "survivalist". More folks understand "preparedness" - for storms, fires, earthquakes etc. Everyone is "prepared" in those contexts, on a relative basis - maybe not as prepared as you, but almost everyone can lay claim to some level of being prepared. Your somewhat dull and unimaginative Christmas gift of 5 gallon water storage for all won't make sense until the next water interruption, when they may have that "Aha" moment about your bent for preparedness. Whether the storage is empty and sitting in the garage or full and sitting in the pantry is up to them; for family though, I would make sure that their 5 gallon storage is topped off the next time I am over visiting.

When #1 daughter finally moved into her own apartment my first gift after checking her smoke detector and sprinklers was a BOB containing first aid, a crow bar, water and other necessities. I said baby, I love you and if we have an earthquake and I can't get to you right away I want you to have this stuff in case you can use it - and please walk the 30 blocks to grandma's house, where there are more people and resources - and less risk - than sitting here in your apartment. That I think she could understand.

My girlfriend and I just got back from Jamaica. When we went out on the town at night, she was content to have me carry her ID, cash, and anything else she needed. In a foreign country, she literally had nothing on her except her clothing. I realized at that point that I had to be prepared for both of us. You would think she would understand by now why I at least carry a flashlight because she got caught in the Jamaican darkness a few times. Nope, it didn't matter. She proudly carries no gear and still makes fun of me if I try to discuss. I've learned to put some things on ignore. That's life.

That has to be frusterating for you. My wife was raised Mormon but by the time we met she had fallen away from them, the stories I could tell you! Anyways as an LDS shes big on the whole prepardness pantry. As far as BOBs or EDCs she puts on ignore but does listen to what I tell her about them and their importance.

The pantry is a great thing. I will be moving to my very own first house soon. I am already planning where to put the active (cooking) pantry and the long-term one. As for the BOBs and so forth, I am still woefully lacking in that area. I haven't really committed to the idea I guess. I still look at them as one-time challenge to assemble. I given a huge rolling duffel for Christmas because of my interest in the car BOB thing. It sits in the house with a modest first-aid kit and some shelter items, a few tools and tape ;not much else. It still hundreds of cubic inches to fill. As you can see, you are not alone. So, just plug ahead a little bit at a time.

A very interesting post and question. I am only speaking from my own experience and everybody's situation is somewhat unique.

I found that "quietly taken actions" provides a better example and drives the point home, eventually, as things happen and people find themselves unprepared, at least to some extent. You can lead a horse to water but you can't force the horse to drink.

My wife and her family all thought of me as the crazy one because of my preparations. I have gotten to the point where I don't discuss the preparedness issue unless it is brought to me via normal conversation.

In the meantime (I am talking of years), those that have made the most fun of me (behind my back) have borrowed my generator (and gasoline) 3 or 4 times when they lost power. 1 niece (and nephew-in-law) has learned that the world is a cruel place and now has a pistol w/a 100 rounds on loan from me, and has actually taken an interest in defending herself and family. Her hubby has experienced firsthand how quickly the "normal" can change and he has quietly promoted preparedness with his wife as well.

I have now ignited an interest in 3 nephews to learn how to camp and backpack, and in learning about edible and medicinal plants.

My wife has experienced the effects of having preparations in case of job loss, hurricanes, etc. She is now believing in what I've been telling her. She now carries a pistol (when appropriate) and has been contributing to preparations by purchasing extra canned goods (and paper goods) when she goes shopping (I purchase dry goods). She also keeps track of our medicinal supplies so that we can proper medications for a while.

Having a thick skin and patience will bring a few around but those who prefer to believe that the Gubmint will take care of them, will continue to believe that regardless of what happens. And yes, those will show up on your doorstep when their view of the world has fallen apart, albeit for a temporary but sufficiently long enought time. Think of a post hurricane situation when the power is down for 3 days or more. When they have drunk all their water and soda's, eaten all their food and then realize that the local stores are still closed.

Best we can do is lead by example.Got a couple kids playing with gardens (One who said why bother,what a waste of time,I buy organic!) somehow saw the light.

Another one got into canning and dehydrating from goodies weve given them.

One thinks he should look into maybe some gold or silver for savings,thats my boy (THINKING,WOOHOO,and it only took until his 40's!!!) He got that idea from seeing the banks crumble and it actually gelled,we were astounded!

But all of it came from seeing us do it mostly,rarely does talking to em do more than make their eyes just glaze over.But some of it does stick,whether they realize it or not at the time,it does put a bug in their ears,even if its to ridicule us (The Yuppie/veg one does but he will learn),it does stick (Hence why obnoxious commercials work).

Really got a chuckle from the Yuppie/Ultra Liberal son (In College) who said we are racists, because we believe in Border Control and guns, and there should be no borders,KUMBAYA,Kumbaya!!... etc.....right until a neighbor was robbed at gunpoint by a Mexican National gang banger....and who proudly has a pistol and shotgun now,LOL! Yup,they do catch on,but slowly,oh so slowly.

I'm the crazy one in my family too. At least I was until the tornados came throught town last year. I still haven't gotten family members to actively prepare, but at least now they know where all the emergency gears is, how to use it, and what to do in a bugout situation.

As Wildman says, sometimes all you can do is be patient and hope life experiences teach them the need for preparedness.

I enjoyed reading this articale as it probably pertains to most of American families , I find it odd but most us are alike in many ways , because One of us is a prepper or survivalist or whatever you want to call it while other family members just go about there business on facebook, twitter and what texting away!

After reading this I came to think ,"whats the best way to introduce the family to my way of thinking "?

Ok I am a Marine my wife was never associated with the Marines or the military until she met me in 2005 , now here it is 2012 7 years later and she's more into the Marines than I am , yes I have the license plates on all my cars and stickers and flag out front (what Marine doesnt?) what Im getting at this , I never forced the Marine issue upon her nor did I tell her to buy this or that , if you were in the Marine you know it never leaves you , so you talk about things quite but, thats my point on being prepared.

My wife never gave a thought about the Marines , never thought about back packing, food storage , weapons and ammo , supplies , you see what Im getting at ? Its a process and it might take a few years but right now , my wife is on board , she wont admit it ,but she buys clothes ,food and other items she otherwise wouldnt have bought without me in her life , talking about the lifestyle in a subtle way over a period time as results , and I didnt even plan this , I happened to read this post and noticed how my wife has changed!

I have been and am building what I call a “social network” of like-minded people. I have friends who have other friends and I am getting to know their friends and hopefully their friends’ friends. Some live the big city like me. Others live on the edge of town and beyond where there is no public transportation.

We are all dysfunctional but we are learning what we can do to help each other. If we go though a zombie apocalypse, I want to go through the zombie apocalypse with my family and dysfunctional friends.

Jeanette Isabelle