Thanks for the clarification. What you've said goes along with my suggestion to limit the kid's carry to "small comfort toys or redundant supplies" ... "to give them something to do and to build training".

My personal take on the issue is that the odds of having to bug out (or deal with any other emergency) are very small; however, the amount of training that DD (2 years old) would need to take care of anything in an emergency would be tremendous; plus, I wouldn't be able to depend on DD being able to recall and execute the steps anyway. Thus, I'm not burdening myself with teaching her what to do in an emergency. I'll wait a few years until DD will be more grown up and training will be easier.

Instead I'm trying to teach her responsibility with everyday tasks when (1) I've the time and energy to followup with her, and (2) the stakes are low so it's okay if she fails.

Here's an example:
When we travel with DD she always has her own bag/luggage that is "her responsibility". The bag contains small toys and other comfort items of interest to her; absolutely nothing that I don't have replacements for in my luggage. We often have to remind her about her bag, and we always carry it for her if she asks nicely. I figure that is part of training her to care for her own stuff. It's not a BOB; however, it teaches her skills that she'll need before she'll be ready for a BOB.

-Kuovonne

We do similar responsibility training with our children. Going to preschool every day is a good chance for us to reinforce those skills. We try to remind them before they leave the house in the morning to make sure they have everything they want (blanket and stuffed animal for nap).

I've been on crutches for a couple of weeks, and the first time I picked my children up from preschool, my oldest asked me very nicely to carry her backpack for her, and I explained that I couldn't because it was hard enough for me to get around on my crutches. And she was mad! She was downright honked off. But in those cases I tell her, "If you choose not to carry it, then it will get left here, and it may or may not be here when you come back to get it later."

I think my biggest fear is not that I won't have gear to take care of my children, it's that the whole, "I'm not listening to you because I'm testing my boundries" issue that happens frequently will happen when an emergency occurs and one of the kids will get hurt because they're not listening.

I'm too young to have gray hair! But I suppose I'd better get some therapy or meditate or something, because I have a feeling those concerns, and even worries will only grow as they get older. <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Winter or summer, it's trousers for me, not shorts... Protect from sun, from poison ivy and other identical plants, etc....

I'd grab my little fire box with copies of my important documents and out the door I go. My truck is already packed with a BOB. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

thanks for the clarification, i think you're right on the mark.

Been a while since I have been in the site so forgive the late response.

I have a BOB for my 6 year old. It has a water bottle, a 2.5 lbs child sleeping bag, pre-packed "outfits" some granola bars / energy bars, a coat, a whistle, a flashlight and a stuffed animal. The bag is a school backpack that has rollerblade wheels build into it so he can drag it if he gets tired. The whole thing weighs about 8 lbs. We live in Wyoming and go to the mountains frequently and he has not only carried it and enjoys the trips, but has learned (practiced) with it... ie "camping".

The one thing that I have to remember to do is update EVERYTHING! At his age he is growing like a weed and everything does not fit for very long.

Personally, it is the most fun I have had with my son. We are guarenteed to go "camping" at least 2 or 3 times a year. I get to teach him "stuff" like fishing, santiation ("Don't go to the bathroom in the creek son or too close to camp!"). He also learns the importance of being prepared just by the nature of having the experience. If we don't bring it - we can't use it.

My wife and I both have BOBs and update (and test) them by USING them. I also am a Nurse / EMT so I have a VERY extensive medical BOB that I have attached to a collapsable hand truck. It would be one of the things that I grab in my 3 minutes to get out (I want to beat the traffic). The hand truck can also be used for carring one or two of the BOBs should one of us get tired or injured (God forbid) and we have to continue to move.

We all have our mountain bike that I would try to load in that time just for back up transportation. I have a Jeep that makes Lora Crofts look like an amature. It is the vehicle of choice to bug out. If possible wife takes her SUV and I take my Jeep. She tailgates everyone so I am confident that she will stay close to me and not get separated enroute. If we do we have our vehicles set up with CB's (with sidebands), cell phones and GMFR radios.

Hopefully - we are prepared as possible, however, plans fail and situations change.

GMFR.. that's a good abbreviation, sure beats GMRS/FRS... I'll have to start using GMFRS. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I guess the abreviations are almost correct depending on what acronym you are going for. Given that this is a rated "G" forum, I guess I will go ahead and use the GMRS/FRS version. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for pointing out the fact that I am not a genious to the WWW. If you can laugh at yourself, no one will invite you to laugh with them.