One of the great desires of any prepper is to see their family safely through whatever disaster they might face. While I’m sure there are some people who are in this just for themselves, the vast majority of us are concerned about taking care of our families.
But what about when we’re gone? Does anybody out there share my concern about what their kids are going to do to survive the disasters that happen after our death?
As I’ve grown older and my children have begun to have children of their own, I’ve become more and more concerned about the legacy I’m going to leave behind.
My wife’s family has developed a tradition of legacy, demonstrated by the number of pieces of furniture in our home, which originally belonged to her grandmother or grand-aunt. Yet on my side of the family, we can’t say the same thing.
Thinking about that, I’ve come to realize that the legacy I leave my children has to be about who I am, not just about what I have.
That wouldn’t be complete without leaving them at least something of my life as a prepper. So, just what sorts of things are the most important for me to leave them?
Related: 19 Survival Skills You Should Teach your Children This Summer
My Notebooks
There’s a large quantity of survival knowledge locked up between my ears. After all, I’ve been into survival for over 45 years.
Even so, I can guarantee you that I don’t know everything or even as much of everything as I’d like to. As much as I’ve studied through the years, it’s just not possible to retain everything.
Part of my solution for this is my notebooks. Through the years I’ve found useful information written by others, which I have printed out and filed away in those notebooks.
They contain everything from lists of how to make use of various household items to recipes for making those same items, along with various instructions of how to DIY a whole host of useful things.
The real purpose of those notebooks is to use as a reference in a survival situation; specifically a survival situation where the grid is down.
All those bookmarks in our computer’s browser aren’t going to do the least bit of good when we can’t turn our computers on; or when we turn them on to find that the internet just isn’t there.
My Guns and Ammo
With the amount of effort some politicians are putting into pushing gun control, the only guns my kids and grandkids might have access to are the ones in my collection.
Granted, some of them already have a couple of guns, but that’s because they are hunters. While hunting rifles and shotguns can be used for home defense; they’re not the best choice.
So, whoever ends up with my guns is going to be better prepared to protect their family.
Related: What Kind Of Guns Are Best Stored To Leave As An Inheritance
The nice thing about that is that there will be no record of sale, showing that they have them. Even if they pass a “universal background check” law, requiring a background check and associated registration of firearms that are inherited, there’s no real way to enforce that law.
All my kids have to say is “What guns?” should anyone from ATF ask them.
But perhaps the guns themselves won’t be the biggest blessing here, but rather my stock of ammo.
Considering how hard it is to find ammunition these days and how high the prices are, those boxes might be worth their weight in gold, especially if they’re faced with a crisis where they need more than the box or two that they currently have.
My Stockpile
Speaking of stockpiling ammunition, perhaps this is a greater blessing to me, than to my children, but leaving them my stockpile means that I never had to use it.
At the same time, it might just be what they need, in order to kick-start their own efforts at stockpiling.
I remember how hard that was for me, while trying to raise a growing family.
Even if they see my stockpile as unnecessary, they’ll still be able to use it, eating the food and using the other supplies. That should save them some money, which they can then use for other necessities.
My Walking Stick
I have a walking stick that I made years ago. It has traveled extensively with me, whether I was going on missions trips or hiking trips.
My kids all know and recognize it as much as being mine, as Moses’ staff was recognizable to the people of Israel.
There’s something special about owning something that belonged to your parents; even more so if it was made by their hand.
I have a couple of things my own dad made, and they are some of my most precious possessions. I take care of them, and display them prominently in my home, using them as a touchstone with him.
Related: 18th Century Skills That Will Become Life-Saving When SHTF
Should one of my children ever have to bug out, I would hope that they would take my staff with them.
While just a piece of wood, it’s a piece of wood that has been in my hand. I hope that would give them some comfort, bringing to mind the lessons that I’ve taught them along the way.
Things I’ve Made
Going beyond my walking stick and my guns, I have a large number of other things that I’ve made, including a number of pieces of survival gear.
Every bit of that would be useful to them, when they are faced with their own survival situation.
While they may look at it as a curiosity, more than anything else, they’ll know what it is really for and know how to use it when the time comes.
My Home
When I bought my home, I was reaching the empty nesters stage of my life. Yet I still bought a large home, bigger than I actually needed.
The idea wasn’t just to have a home to live in, but to have someplace my kids and their families could use as a survival retreat, should they ever be forced to bug out.
While we would be crowded, there’s enough room for all of them and their families.
Related: Best States to Buy Your Prepping Property
I’ve put a lot of effort into making my home usable as that survival retreat. From putting in a well to planting a huge vegetable garden, that home is set up for survival.
Regardless of who ends up living in it after I’m gone, they’re going to be well set up to make it through whatever disaster comes their way.
My Attitude
Probably the most important thing I can leave my children is my survival attitude. Various studies, both in the medical field and in the military, have shown that attitude is an essential component of survival.
It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about surviving cancer or surviving a natural disaster, one’s attitude plays a critical part.
Children don’t always pay attention to what we say; but they always see what we do. So I have high hopes that part of the legacy I’ve already passed on to my children is that survival attitude.
Even without a disaster it will serve them well; but if they are ever faced with a life-threatening situation, that will be the best possible preparation I could give them.
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I enjoyed this read. Very thought provoking.
Sir, you and I have the exact same thoughts and actions. I commend you highly. I am 70yrs old, don’t get around well anymore, but I have a wealth of experience and knowledge….this is what must be passed on to younger folks at every opportunity, and you are doing it well. I learn from you everytime you write or post. THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.
Robert Wilson
Orange Beach, Alabama
What people take for granted are the things we need to survive. Navigation by stars. Canning. Root cellers. Kerosene lamps. The original iron, not a door stop. Black frying pans that will last a lifetime. If we forget how our grandparents lived,,,the Amish will be the only people left in America.
Amish rule. BTW – I have Amish relatives.
I appreciate your genuine commitment to family and sharing your knowledge of the skills you’ve acquired! thank you!
Ann
Screw the kids! We gave them the best of everything.Including love. Now they have no interest in,nor time for the parents that gave them the tools to achieve success.
The bank of mom and dad is closed.Bankruptcy of the heart.I love it.!! They and the witches that they married actually think that there will be an inheritance.
I can’t say it enough! Screw the kids!!!!!!
Kay if you were my neighbor I would try to change your idea. You are the proof and so am I , that we are all products of the things that happen to us. Intellect is knowing what is happening to you and knowing better. Nobody has the right to try and change your thinking, this is the great America.
Changing your state of mind is free and your choice. Wish you could make the choice to be an Americans friend.
Kay
For what it’s worth I agree with you. If you do everything to impart your values and your progeny decides consciously to reject them, there is nothing you can do. Why reward this? It is not owed them. That is the problem now, too many feel they are owed.
Our daughter paid her way through college with no debt. Chose a “smart” school instead of an expensive one. She paid for it all. She is 23 and doing fantastic in the working world and living on her own. We didnt buy her a car either.
No one bought me or the wife a car. I paid for my college through the military. Boy did we get pounded by her friends parents. Screw them and the horse they rode in on. Free to raise your own kid. We have never and will never enable her.
Nope. If she inherits anything it will be because we are done with it.
Your kids education is one of the worst investments you can make, save it for your retirement. Any motivated kid can get financing or work their way through school or life. Or better yet get a trade and get PAID to go to school!! Smartest possible money! If the kid doesn’t have motivation, your money cant buy it. Period.
We have family members who want to eat drink and be merry and put their heads in the sand. They laugh at us. Fine by me. We laugh back. The door will not be open, not because I am selfish but because they will want to use our resources the way they have used theirs. Not going to happen.
Bought the kid a rifle, shotgun, handgun and LOTs of ammo and mags. Got her some freeze dried foods well. Got her some FRA to stop rifle rounds, all of the above as a college graduation present. Due to ammo prices she has not added to the ammo. For Christmas we got her more freeze dried food and out fitted a BOB. She knows what to do.
She has issues with the rest of the family giving us crap. We do not care at all. Everyone has the PO Box NO ONE has the actual home location and never will. Not even the kid. When and if the time comes we have a pre arranged place to meet and 3 back ups. The day comes she gets married we will need to feel out the Hubby and see what his thoughts are.
I do not owe family anything at all and they owe me nothing as well.
In the times of a true crisis, you need people you can trust and count on, not free loaders. Blood means nothing. It’s what’s between the ears and what is in the heart.
People have to make their own choices. We have and will continue to do so.
Consco ,
Good job with your daughter. You can be proud.
Like minded we are. Six kids and they grew up knowing they’d be handed nothing beyond bdays and Chrustmas gifts. You leave your bike in the driveway to be run over, you will replace it if you want anither.
They all put themselves thru school with academic or athletic scholarships, West Point, and trade schools.
All are hard working, honest and patriotic.
Last year’s Christmas gifts were 5 gallon bucket emergency toilets filled with all sorts of survival goodies including ammos for the guns they all own. We will welcome them home when SHTF because they will be assets instead of drains and of course, because we love tgem.
Cheers!
I could never turn my children away no matter what. That’s just how I am. They didn’t ask me to bring them into the world, I chose that.
However, I do understand where you’re coming from. I’m sure you worked very hard and I believe you are right… it’s just a matter of time before the SHTF.
Kay, I grew up in a chaotic and all too often abusive household and can understand why children decide to leave and even break off all contact – I call that “breaking the chains” of child abuse, and apparently I have been somewhat successful because my children do remain in friendly contact with my wife and me. Have you done an honest assessment of the environment you generated as a parent? I’m not talking about permissive or overprotective parenting, I’m talking about being honest with them from the time they are born, adhering to morals and expectations, and being smart enough to enforce your requirements without resorting to abuse. Let me clarify, my kids are now in their twenties, were never truly “spanked” but they did get an attention getting swat a few times when needed, most to the back of the hand when they reached for an electric cord or other hazard and ignored us when told “no”, which seemed to work well since both are responsible, not involved in criminal activity, are not a burden on society or have any false expectations of entitlement, and are “pursuing happiness” on their own terms while maintaining realistic perspectives and expectations. My wife and I are not perfect parents, but I think we did a good job and the proof is how our grown children conduct themselves.
After your honest assessment, ask yourself if the reasons behind why your children behave the way they do is rooted in them, or you, or both.
Romans 1 – 1599 Geneva Bible
30 Backbiters, haters of God, doers of wrong, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things,
disobedient to parents,
without understanding, [au]covenant breakers, without natural affection, such as can never be appeased, merciless.
Matthew 24:12 1599 Geneva Bible
12 And because iniquity shall be increased, the love of many shall be cold.
Nothing can be colder then a parent that no longer loves a disrespectful unloving hateful rebel child. Even after spending $$ sending that child 10 years to private Christian school, as I did. The sort of good news is many will discover the child that hates you, really is not human, and is a replacement.
That is part of what the whole farce of COVID-19 was about, to see it for yourself when stuck within 4 walls with each other.
Daniel 2 is already here.
Why not try helping worthy children while you still have breathe, I donate a lot to mercyships org
Kay, I fully understand your posting, don’t know what caused or drove it, but do understand. I would just say keep an open mind(and heart). If they are the problem let it be their problem, if the problem is in you cast it away , any way you can. Live your life as happy and healthy as you can. Miracles can happen, but don’t wait for them. Be Well.
Kay, it brings tears to my eyes to imagine the pain you’ve gone through to have this attitude. It must be a terrible empty feeling in the heart for the kids to disappoint you like that. I know the feeling of children disappointing me but overall I couldn’t be more proud of my children. They have their hearts in the right spot, faith in God, very honorable professions and started good families. It helps that they are conservatives, live in smalll communities and have many of the same concerns about our nation as I do. Though I have many monetary assets the only thing that makes crap difference is what my children will carry on and add to this world. I know of to many rich people that left no legacy. The world doesn’t miss them a bit. My legacy is my children and I wish you could experience this someday.
I encourage you to leave the door open and hopefully someday, you can build a good relationship again.
I’ve always been a prepper. Lived in Los Angeles and was always prepared for earthquakes & shelf shortages. It did payoff when these things happened. My children learned early how necessary it is to be prepared. Passing this down to grandchildren is another story. They HAVE everything! No clue about basic needs! Of course they don’t live with me, but when they visit, I show them where I keep 2 backpacks with supplies to last 5 days along with your survival book. I pray they remember when SHTF!
Teach your children well! The behavior of the Duke and Dutches of Sussex can now be held up as good examples of what one should not be.
Kay…
I understand Sweetie. But you and I know better. Sure, we get angry because they just won’t listen… but dang it, we love them! Leave the bitterness, Kay. Bitterness only kills the one who is bitter.
I guess, truth be told, its our own fault. We tried to give them everything…and now that is just what they expect: everything. Sadly, when SHTF, it will be too late, THEN they will remember… but you will not have wasted your time being bitter.
A friend
I will pass along to my descendants self respect so they can resist the “crowd mentality”.
Maybe the next thing if there is anything left after the skilled nursing facility is to leave some non-fiat currency after explaining what Article 1, Section 10 of the Constitution meant about the subject.
Article 1 Section 10 is an explicit limit on the individual states, it in no way applies to the Federal Government. It might be good if it did, the national and international monetary system is now so complex and lacking in transparency it will no doubt destroy the USA, suicide by politician.
From day 1 our job as parents is to make our children self reliant. Having done that, we have taught them how to make good decisions, chose wisely in life, and understand that actions have consequences. Continual education and skill building should be understood to be life long. When they go through our stash, whatever it may be, they should already understand the value of this gift.
Good article, again! You can talk your head off, but in the end, kids do it their way. Then come back all sheepish and tell you they should have listened to you, not their friends. Usually by 30, they’re taking advice and working with it. No sneers and ‘I told ya so’ from me. Not even the dippy one about if all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you? Just a sigh and say you’re almost as bad as I was when I was your age. 🙂 niio
Same for us here Red. They don’t grow a brain till 30. Neither did I. Lol. But now the son is 35 and lo and behold has become a self sufficient and responsible citizen with a good common sense brain in his head. Sometimes you gotta let life teach them the hard lessons.
When my dad died, the buzzards started circling real quick. Even people that didn’t have a stake in the game were trying to get parts of the estate. While the widow woman was busy trying to screw the kids out of their inheritance, I was busy remembering things I had been taught in life, laying claim to those items that my dad considered important. Guess what, not one damn dime was considered important! Tools, new or old, broken or working, were fairly high on the list. Land was very high on the importance list. The thing my dad believed to be the most important thing in life was his name. He wanted to have his legacy remembered fondly. He instilled, or at least attempted to instill, LOVE and HONOR in his kids and grandkids. The commandments say to honor thy mother and thy father, and he honored his father by teaching valuable life lessons that he had learned. If you lose your name, your moral code, then any lesson you try to teach will have lost value.
My son has finally come around to understanding my beliefs from a different perspective. I used to be an old fart to be humored, but now, with his own family, he understands the urgency of being prepared. Being prepared does not necessarily mean having guns and food for the next 20 years. Being prepared means a midnight trip to the emergency room, or extra innings at a ballgame won’t mean the end of the world. He has learned to be prepared to handle adulthood and pass on the “useless knowledge” that he was taught. You cannot look at the world and honestly believe that someone else will have your best interest at heart. Those that you expect to help you quite probably have family of their own, and you will always take a back seat to their family needs.
I feel sorry for those that believe the best inheritance to pass on is money. As the saying goes, money can’t by you happiness. At the times of their deaths, no amount of money was more valuable to me than my mother or father. I cannot identify the dollar bill that I got last week, but I can identify knife I got from my dad. My grandkids enjoy the stories that I pass down to them. Will they remember the story? Maybe, maybe not. All I can do is tell the story and hopefully help them to learn the life lesson if the story has one.
I want to be remembered as the fun, funny, old fart. If my kids and grandkids are ever sad, hopefully they will get a little smile remembering that time when ——
“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!”
William Shakespeare was certainly an acute observer of humanity. The above line is from his play “King Lear.”
I am truly sorry for you, Kay. Despite our best efforts and intentions, sometimes something goes wrong between generations. There are literally hundreds of books by folks who have studied the problem and none of them have an answer. Rather than give Kay a thumbs down, consider her position. Sometimes kids just take a turn that we didn’t foresee and a turn beyond our control.
I am somewhat in the position of Kay. Both my kids grew up in a conservative household. My son went to a U.S. Military Academy where he certainly got conservative ideas. My daughter went to a California college but it was essentially an ag school and she took scientific courses and graduated with a B.S. degree. Plus she played varsity basketball for four years and most sports teams forty years ago were quite conservative in their philosophy. They were conservative for most of their adult lives but living in the San Francisco area, unfortunately almost 100% of their friends and acquaintances were Berkeley liberals. My Grandmother had an aphorism for that: Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you what you are. How true. My son was a dedicated Trumper for the first election, somewhere between 2016 and 2020 he converted. My daughter was a true Clintonite from long ago. She converted to feminism probably as she entered the business world and ran into really male chauvinism. She started work right out of college in a large hardware chain. I know it is blowing the family horn but she is a quick study and her facile mind never ceases to amaze me. It wasn’t long before she was the resident expert in how all the products the store sold worked. Every employee deferred to her product knowledge. Despite that, if an employee was asked a question that he or she couldn’t answer and summoned my daughter for the answer, too many times the customer would turn to the male employee and ask him if my daughter’s answer was correct. Typically the reply he got back was, “If she say that’s the way it is, you can bank on it.” Oftentimes the male customer stomped away somewhat put out.
She got into financial planning, a field that she found satisfying in her desire to really perform a helpful service for her clients. Because she put their needs above commissions, she was extremely successful but the Old Boy network in the financial field was extremely frustrating for her. She has become a dedicated feminist and so she though HRC was The Glowing Star. That Trump, who is easy to dislike, beat HRC she found hard to accept. In fact one could say she didn’t accept it.
That whole situation has caused considerable friction as you can imagine. The rule is we don’t discuss politics when visiting. No disparaging remarks about any political topic. No laudatory comments about any political topic. It does make for a strained atmosphere but at least we haven’t reached the point that Kay is at with her offspring.
Don’t give her a thumbs down: How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child. Be thankful that you are not walking in her shoes.
Prepped In Training,
Some probably have already read this but in my opinion it’s worth sharing. Nearly 53 years ago my mother who is now 90 years old gave this poem to me when I was 17 and about to graduate from high school:
You got it from your father
It was all he had to give.
So it’s yours to use and cherish,
For as long as you may live.
If you lose the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced,
But a black mark on your name son
Can never be erased.
It was clean the day you took it,
And a worthy name to bear.
When he got it from his father,
There was no dishonor there.
So make sure you guard it wisely.
After all is said and done,
You’ll be glad the name is spotless,
When you give it to your son.
Conseco: Good reply. Good Advice. I wish we were closer. I feel it would be very valuable for each of us to exchange thoughts and ideas in person.
LCC Totally agree.
Retirement is near. I will gladly give you my info at that time.
It would be worth the drive on my part to meet you. LOL even if I have to go top the PDRK to do it!!
I have gained much knowledge listening to those older and wiser than I. My parents and grandparents and my older great aunts and uncles as well as neighbors had a fairly profound impact on me “growing up”. It is in quotes as I will be 60 in August and my wife is sure that I use that term loosely. So is my Mom.
So many are so quick to criticize, I have been that way myself.
I try to see things from others points of view but sometimes I am not so successful.
There are several people on here whose responses I really enjoy. Your’s are on the top as are Clergy Lady’s. I have not seen her post in awhile. I hope she is OK. I wish she would download her brain on to a flash drive!!!!!
Even some whose views I could really never agree with I like the responses.
Keep writing LCC, continue my education!
LCC
It is a shame about the Kids’ politics. It is really a shame about the HRC supporter.
Murder is against the law but still happens. We have 20k gun laws that are not enforced and shootings happen.
A new law or rule will not change attitudes. In fact probably causes resentment by trying to force it on to someone.
The Fem Nazi crowd really does appear to be miserable.
True equality would mean equal jail sentences as well as women in the trades being required to lift the same weight as a man. I have found over the years the equality they seek is one of convenience and rarely about TRUE equality.
I was complemented the other day from an older lady as I held a door for her. She said “gentlemen are hard to find anymore”. I believe this is the unintended consequence of feminism.
Late the hateful reply’s begin!!!
LCC- The best way to educate women who think Hillary Clinton is the best, is to educate them about Bill Clinton. He would do more damage as First Dude in the Whitehouse than she would do as President of the United States and that’s saying a lot!
Silver rounds.
Chip
A great suggestion. Hopefully they are acquiring a few of their own along the way!
Tools, tool, tools and the knowledge and ability to use them.
Reloading equipment and supplies.
Most importantly, knowledge!!!!!! Knowledge of life and how to be as self sufficient as possible.
A lot of good info from posters here!!!
Not many hateful replies here, it’s such a pleasure to stop by this site and see some real conversation.
If anybody misses having the door opened for them, move to Texas, we don’t open the door for women, we open the door for everybody.
My land would be at the top of my list.
I have ordered a few books and I enjoy looking on the website. I’m not a prepper but I sure wish I had been. I will be making sure that my kids and grandchildren will get these books. I’m 70 so I’m getting a late start. I truly believe that something bad will happen and we will need to be prepared. Thanks for letting me sign up.