Just as we were getting ready to build another home out there. Events changed, and financially, we couldn't do it. However, the land is there, and it has a creek and plenty of forage possibilities too. We'll be developing it further, or else sell part of it and buy the lots next to our back yard.
Not talking to the kids is part of OPSEC. Inadvertent loose lips. I do make it known that the excessive money printing could cause runaway inflation, and explain the importance of being the world's reserve currency.
All the things that are the likeliest scenario tornadoes, power outages, earthquakes, drought etc. In addition, I talk to them about how I felt in the past when the cities were burning, and Americans were being attacked all over the world etc.
I get peace of mind from imagining the worst, and having a plan for that. This drives them crazy, and somehow makes it harder for them to deal, so I do things my way. And they will be taken care of.
Sometimes we talk about, well if times get bad without elaborating the details of that, and then talk about the various things that we can each do. Like who is talented at cooking, sewing, gardening, etc.
I even talk to them about what it was like growing up and staying on Granny's farm without running water, heated by a wood stove, no bathroom indoors etc. So that's knowledge they'll have if they need it.
Do I tell them that Martial Law could be declared, and Homeland Security is stockpiling ammo, and could turn out to be the American version of the Gustapo?
NO I don't, but I might tell them that would make the premise of a good movie, and ask them to brainstorm what they think could bring on something like that and how do they think it would play out.
Youngest daughter and I share an interest in pesticide free heirloom foods, free range chickens, etc. Local food that we know more about exactly what we are eating. So food independence is something we work anyway.
Like I said, independence is a way of life. I don't consider myself a doomsday prepper, with some bunker mentality. I don't have a crystal ball, so I plan for contingencies starting with the usual and moving on from there.
Sounds like a great way to instill the seeds in them so they won’t be caught off-guard when something happens. But to not cause them to panic by being too upfront if that makes them nervous. I guess a lot of people are like that - they’d rather not think about the worst. For some reason, I get comforted by thinking and planning for the worst that could happen.
I consider myself a prepper by necessity now - but will be a homesteader when I get the right conditions, like you have. Neat to have so much useful land nearby. I guess I’m a prepper when in the city, but in the mountains - that’s just the way of life up there. Simpler, closer to nature, splitting and stacking and using firewood to heat, the power and water outages that occur often - it’s all wonderful, IMO.