Bugging out with kids

[bushfox25]

Anybody have small children that you will have to bug out with? I have a 5yr old and a 5 month old both girls and the thought of have to bug out with them is kind of disturbing to me.

[DirtPirate]

Can you pre-stage a lot (or most) of what you need at a pre-determined BO location?

That would go a long way toward making a BO with little ones easier.

I know we lived in town when my boys were fairly small...and we kept pre-packed BO bags under the bed and other stuff (camping gear etc) staged in the garage...but like you...I worried about the process.

That is one of the reasons we went ahead and moved to the country...about 45 miles either way to a large/medium sized city.

I commuted for years (of course gas was a lot cheaper) until last year...we've had to make sacrifices...but I wouldn't live back in town for anything. Maybe that's an option...I see you're in Chattanooga...not too far to the "country" is it?

[mjollnir]

Yeah I have a 2yo and a 4yo and I agree that the thought of bugging out with them is quite scary. Not near as scary now that we are living here but still not something I'm looking forward to happening.

[BobS]

By bringing up the kids in a "camping" environment, you can acclimate them to the process....just have to work on the speed by repatition. My 6 year old LOVES to go camping-his bag is always packed and he constantly carries it around on weekends (that is how he says...LET'S GO!!!!!)

LOL

Best regards,

Bob

[mr slow]

There is a lot of things you can do to prepare your children. Take them fishing and hunting. Do gardening with them. Take them to a gun range and teach them how to use a gun safety. My daughter was shooting a AR15 and shotguns at age 6. Go out and buy your kids custom sized guns that they can shoot with you.Teach them to be responsible with small amounts of money. A important thing is to teach them how to prepare food and cook it. I have seen very smart 6 year olds.Start now!

[mjollnir]

We camp and hike often. My issue is being able to keep them quiet. My kids see a rabbit or squirrel on the trail, they get excited and yell "look a rabbit" or whatever, load enough for people three counties over to hear it. My 4yo is starting to understand trying to be quiet but my 2yo..... forget it.

If stealth and avoidance is not much of a concern then there isn't much of a problem for us. I guess it just all depends on the situation like everything else.

[BobS]

We camp and hike often. My issue is being able to keep them quiet. My kids see a rabbit or squirrel on the trail, they get excited and yell "look a rabbit" or whatever, load enough for people three counties over to hear it. My 4yo is starting to understand trying to be quiet but my 2yo..... forget it.

If stealth and avoidance is not much of a concern then there isn't much of a problem for us. I guess it just all depends on the situation like everything else.
Not trying to sound critical-your kids are just being kids. Nothing wrong with that from their standpoint-everything is new and exciting. Be glad they are not terrified of their own shadows-that is a blessing and a tribute to your and your wife's upbringing.

Tactically, it could be an issue, I agree, but simply put-you aint gonna change them overnight. Give them a fair chance to grow up. If they were 8 or 9 and still doing this, it could be a problem. Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best-enjoy the kids and their growth as they learn about the world from daddy and mommy.

It's a good thing and makes life worth living.

Best regards,

Bob

[kid_couteau]

I do not have kids of my own but as an uncle I find that you train them to be quiet by making a game of it.

Basically teach them to be Apaches. Life is the hunt. When you are out in the field and your little one sees a rabbit teach them to hunker down and watch the rabbit quietly.

See how close they can get to it before it runs away. Teach them FUN hand signals to communicate that they see a rabbit. Make it fun for them and they should come around to your way of doing things.

Kid

[john in jax]

I've got a family: wife and two young boys, and BO with them would be a pain not because of the experience but because of ALL the extra stuff. I like reading all the posts the "kid-less" guys post with a grab-and-go B/O set-up they offer up some great ideas, BUT the logistics of B/O with small children is a whole different animal.

[bushfox25]

I've got a family: wife and two young boys, and BO with them would be a pain not because of the experience but because of ALL the extra stuff. I like reading all the posts the "kid-less" guys post with a grab-and-go B/O set-up they offer up some great ideas, BUT the logistics of B/O with small children is a whole different animal.I agree that BO is a lot different with small childeren than without. The thought of having to bug out with a 5yr old isn't as bad it is the 5 month old that really gets me to thinking. I guess it also depends on the situation with what was the cause of the bug out. I guess all you can do is plan and be prepared for the worst but hope for the best. Take care guys, Ryan.

[NMsunshine]

Don't forget the elderly. Right now I have 2 over 70 elders and 3 under 2 years that would have to be included.

[RedNeckSCOUT]

i agree bugging out with kids it something to give some good long hard thought to. i have a 10yr old, 4yr old, and one due in oct. so that would make thing a little different
on how i would approach things compared to if it was just me and my wife.
LOTS of planning and LOTS of practice is about all you can due.

[john in jax]

With a wife, 7 y.o. and a 3 y.o. the best I can come up with is to hitch our little 16' aluminum boat to the back of the SUV and throw in all I can including one of those big metal yard wagons and a wheel barrow just in case we have to ditch the vehicles.

My kids are troopers I'm not worried about behavior, I'm worried about trying to get out "quick" with:
more tent space
more tarps & sleeping bags
more clothing
bigger camp/cook stove and fuel
more food
more water
more medicines, and hygiene stuff
etc...

My 7 y.o. eats as much as my wife when he's playing hard, so I really need to prep for 4 people. Even a pair of BOB's may cover some short term basics but won't last very long.

[randyb]

I have a 6 y.o. girl and a 3 y.o. son with CP. Also going through a divorce.........My plan is to load, go and get to kin who can be of mutual assistance.