changing needs

[LabRat2k3]

While going through my supplies to rotate stock and check for any expired goods, I got to thinking about how my needs have changed over the years. I have never had a doubt that I could survive for an extended time in the woods around where I live. I grew up extremely poor and even though I'm doing well now I still know how to scrape by. I figure I could hunt, gather, and grow enough to get by on, I may loose a few pounds but I have plenty to spare ever since getting out of the Army. The thing that gets me now is I have an 8 month old son to think about also, and in every bug out situation I can think of that sure makes things alot more complicated. The good thing is he is getting more teeth everyday it seems and eating more regular food. Still it changes my shelter needs and ups the amount of food i would need by a good bit. I can't be the only one here with a small child(ren). What changes have you made to your bug out kit? Also I've been thinking about snares for catching more game the only problem is snare hunting is illegal in this state, which wouldn't bother me in a survival situation, but how do you get proficient at something you can't practice? Any other thoughts on bug out/EOTW with a child are appreciated.

[don heath]

Same problem...made it to 40 as a single, free and pretty wild bushman...and then got married and have two small kids.

from an African viewpoint....a) The truck had better be very well stocked- espeicially with liquids. My daughter is extremely fussy and in a country where food is often short and individual items as frequently out of stock as in- this makes life doubly difficult. When we find something she likes it is almost guaranteed to be the last stocks and you will not get any more for 6 months.

b) better to stay than to move. Again, becuase Zimbabwe is such a train smash, I hold at least 6 months supplies of anything I really want to use...eg- I like tuna fish...so have 80 cans in stock- I drink black coffee all day, but like the first cup with condensed milk...so have 20 tins on hand... Have 20l (about US 5 gal) of the fruit juice concentrate my daughter likes...my son will not touch forula so basically his dietry needs depend on mommy being well fed....so have 50lbs of rice, the tuna, tins of ham, never less than 50lbs of dried jugo beans on hand...etc.

With two small kids it has to be by car or not at all- I could get both Kids into the Piper cub, but suspect mommy would have a few things to say about being left for the second trip

The summery is then- to see trouble comming far enough in advance to bug out while vehicle travel is still possible

[LabRat2k3]

Very true words. I need better planning and to really keep my ear to the ground to give us a better head start if things do go bad. There are no more quick trips anywhere.

[vacek]

One of the best things you can do is keep the wife (mother) well fed and let the primary food for your child be breast milk until he is 2 to 2.5 years old.  He will be healthier and while lactating your wife will be less likely to get pregnant.  He will also need less water which it a potentially bad situation may be hard to come by in a true safe form.  Granted you can filter and chlorinate but the more calories, protein, fat and liquid he can get from mom, the better off he will be.  We didn't need too, but we nursed our daughter until she was 2.5.  She is now 20 years old, 5'10", healthy, and unlike her dad extremely intelligent.  People/relatives thought we should wean her versus self-weaning.  However, she was never sick during those early years although she started out as s 6 week preemy, 5 lbs and jaundiced.  I cannot say enough about natural nursing.

[vacek]

I need to clarify my above post.  After 6 months the baby does need extra nourishment, most calories for energy, even though the mother's milk is still the primary food source.  Mother's milk alone after 6 months doesn't provide enough calories and to a certain extent protein.