Preparing your children

heartandseoul · Tar Sands Joined: May 29, 2008 Posts: 31

My kids are 14, 11 and 9. (Two adopted from S. Korea, one birth child). I have been working on reducing our energy output and discussing PO in general terms with them.

My oldest is on his own mission to replace every lightbulb in our home and barn (we have horses) to energy-efficient bulbs.

As one who is a "newbie" to PO issues, I have learned that my kids tend to find these new goals as challenges to be met with energy and pride.
They are asking more questions and I'm helping them find answers.

Hermes · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject: Re: Preparing your children

I tell my children that soon I'll be doing work every day that they can do WITH me (farm work, hunting/gathering, working with the land) instead of work that keeps me separate from them.

I tell them we're going to be spending much more time together. That we're going to be eating more healthy food. That we'll be hunting and fishing. That we'll be camping sometimes. That I'll be stressed less about bills and money. That there will be less pollution and noise and dangerous things. That people will be more connected to one another and will hang out together more and talk and play.

I've told them that the world is currently being hurt by lots of people making some very huge mistakes, and that the stuff that they're using to fuel their mistakes is running out.

I've also told them that in a while there won't be movies or cars or airplanes. They're sad about that. I also told them that there will be less people around by the time they're as old as I am ( I chose to NOT go into the gorey die-off stuff... but frankly I think they already get it. ).

In a nutshell, they're really happy and excited about the future.
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Collapse-prep Intentional Community forming outside of Austin, TX. PM me if interested.

turner · Tar Sands Joined: Jun 10, 2008 Posts: 76

I'm not sure what happens in other countries but in Australia the combination of global warming awareness and the prolonged drought means that kids are now being taught in school about how to use less ff and conserve water. I find that my kids know more about these issues (and practice what they have learnt) than many adults. PO is not discussed but the solutions suggested are also helpful for PO. There is a gradual awareness, and as they get older they also pick up on what your thinking/doing. I think that the pace is about right - they can buy into the idea of mitigation without being completely overwhelmed by doom. Young children are not such an issue but a dramatic introduction to PO at the teenage stage could be quite dangerous. Some already have a dim view of the world even if that is more related to their role in it rather than global concerns. PO could tip some kids over the edge.

Agree with others that if you aren't rural introduce kids to free camping, making/fixing things etc - they love it.

Mominator · Heavy Crude Joined: Jun 26, 2008 Posts: 106 Location: FL

I just thought of something today. It's just a little thing, but I plan on reading them books like Little House on the Prarie to give them perspective about world possibilities.
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~Laura

"If you weren't smart enough to plan ahead then Doom on you!" ~Dodo bird

Anjorni · Tar Sands Joined: Oct 11, 2004 Posts: 61

I'm suprised nobody mentioned the boy/girl scouts.

At least for me, that was the perfect embodyment of 'powering down'. As a city-boy, i had no idea what sleeping outside was like, or hiking for miles on end with 15-20 lbs on your back was like, or making due with whatever unusual food they were putting on your plate, or... I could keep going for hours, but although i'm not near ready for power-down, esp with my kid (and soon that will be plural), I do feel like ive experienced enough to fare much better than most of these ya-hoos in the city. (My wife included).

In any case, I plan on starting the garden and having them pull their fair share, and putting them in scouts will be a great leg-up on the millions that they're eventually going to be competing against. (Sorry, but cant leave the rest of my extended fam to live in the boonies)

Mack12345 · Tar Sands Joined: Jun 02, 2008 Posts: 78

meh ,

for what little it is worth .. the boy/girl SCOUTS , are about the most moral insittution that is avalible for young girl's/boy's . becase is treats them SEPERATELY .. little BOY , little GIRL = 2 different thinngs .... dont try to treat them as if they were the same organisam .

mos6507 · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:38 am Post subject: Re: Preparing your children

mos6507 · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:40 am Post subject: Re: Preparing your children

mercurygirl · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jan 29, 2006 Posts: 1290

mommy22 · Heavy Crude Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 270

Definately Little House books (and the TV series, believe it or not) and also, The Waltons, all have interesting aspects of what PO might look like for families.
As for Girl Scouts, I've been a leader for 5 years now, and as one, every time I meet with my girls, it's about empowering them to be strong women one day. That service is important, and we talk throughout the year about earth resources, protecting the planet in any way we can, and about finances. If you have children, please consider having them join scouts...and volunteer yourself. Because I am PO aware, I feel I have an extra sence of responsibility to the next generation, as we all should. Scouts is a great way to teach kids things they really don't learn in the classroom. Like a serious, ongoing enrichment group.

Crazy_Dad · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:22 am Post subject: Re: Preparing your children

Wow, at last people who are thinking and talking sense.
Apart from a few idiots. There are some genuine expressions and sound wisdom to be had in this thread.

I'm in Australia, and I swear I can smell the coming storm.
I will start preparing my kids as best as I can, which is difficult. They don't live with me. I have a new wife and baby on the way.

My boys mother left me for doom saying, I also suffered from depression. I could see this coming for over 10 years(I quit Environmental management 12 years ago after talking to mining/oil/gas industry types - no hope to overcome the system) My new wife has a greater understanding, although I think I need to be gentle in explaining PO.

I will just start learning what I need to know. I started archery a few weeks ago. Then I will teach my wife and kids.

When should I plan to evacuate the kids? Thats my biggest dilemma. Hopefully their mother will wake up soon. She listens a bit more these days - she is not too dumb to see the signs now.

Good luck and go in peace.

Bigfoot3814 · Coal Joined: Oct 12, 2008 Posts: 9

If this whole thing comes about, I personally see myself hopping freight trains and bumming around western towns.

ReverseEngineer · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jul 16, 2008 Posts: 1731

Teach your children to be strong, to be tough, to be fearless. Don't allow them to be lazy, don't countenance disrespect, make them accountable for their actions.

You might be able to insulate them for a while here, but not for long. Best to get to the task now of hardening them for the trials that will come before them.

Communicate NO FEAR. Be as strong as you can be for them. Save As Many as you Can.

Remember though, you CANNOT save them all. If you are the Mother in the Tsunami and you have 2 in your grasp, you might just have to let one go, elsewise you all will drown. Steel yourself for the moment you have to make that CHOICE. It will come.

Reverse Engineer

Bigfoot3814 · Coal Joined: Oct 12, 2008 Posts: 9

Narz · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:26 pm Post subject: Re: Preparing your children