boy wearing blue shirt and glasses holding a plate of brownies and saying Ohhhh

Why You Need Comfort Foods in Your Food Storage Pantry

27 Comments / Basic Prepping, Food Storage / By

Imagine a scenario where you’ve meticulously prepared for six months’ worth of provisions, complete with an ample supply of water and essential supplies. You’ve taken every precaution possible, ensuring you’re well-equipped to face any unforeseen challenges that may arise. But amid all your preparations, did you remember the power of comfort foods? Here’s why I recommend that you include in your emergency food storage planning foods that make you feel better.

mom helping two daughter slice bell peppers in kitchen

Raising Prepared Kids: Homeschooling with a Focus on Survival Skills

6 Comments / Family, Homeschooling / By

Homeschooling is quite an undertaking, but one of the great benefits of homeschooling is that you can teach your kids the real-world life skills you think they will need to survive, not what some bureaucrat decreed. (For the life of me, I still can’t see why I needed that many years of math in high school!) While different parents naturally have different focuses for their kids, you probably see the benefit of having your kids learn homesteading and outdoor skills. After all, you are on The Survival Mom website! So, let’s look at some things that are natural fits

image: young boy using a sewing machine while a young girl observes

5 Ways to Promote a Culture of Self-Reliance in Your Family

7 Comments / Family / By

As you begin to create a culture of self-reliance, you will feel more confident about your ability to withstand almost any hardship. We cannot depend on the government or charities to provide services and care for the millions of people across the nation when a disaster happens. It is essential that each individual and family do all they can to be responsible for themselves when needed. If we are wise and careful with our resources, we will be able to sustain ourselves through difficult times.

woman after shower in towel with arm raised and holding hand in ok sign near armpit

Take Care of Personal Hygiene in Off-Grid or Disaster Scenarios

9 Comments / Basic Prepping, Sanitation / By

Do you like feeling clean? The vast majority of people want to be clean and hygienic. Daily showers or baths (sometimes more than one!), multiple hand washings, and brushing teeth a couple of times per day is the norm. But how will you do that if the grid is down, or after a disaster, or if you’re just wanting to explore a more off-grid type of lifestyle? Cleanliness remains paramount whether by choice or after a disaster. Especially after a disaster! Here are some options for off-grid personal hygiene.

image: woman in white top hanging laundry to dry inside her house

3 Methods to Wash Laundry When the Power is Out

19 Comments / Family / By

We all need clean clothes and we’ve become very dependent on our washers and dryers, but laundry can still be done without these conveniences.  You need a plan, proper equipment, these off-grid laundry tips, and plenty of practice. It will take longer, and it’s not easy, but it’s still do-able.

medicine dropper dropping liquid into amber bottle creating natural medicine kit

10 Fundamentals for Your Natural Medicine Kit

18 Comments / Family / By

A time might come when a quick trip to the store or pharmacy for medical supplies isn’t an option. Visiting a doctor might not be feasible either, but fortunately, there exist tried-and-true remedies that could be invaluable. Keeping a natural medicine kit within reach can effectively equip you to handle situations demanding medical attention.

image: black teen with Type1 diabetes checking blood sugar levels

Adapting Prepping for Life with Type 1 Diabetes: A Mother’s Story

72 Comments / Family / By

If you’re new to prepping or T1D, I know this is really overwhelming. Take some deep breaths and then some baby steps. Figure out what your child or grandchild needs to get through a single day, calculate, and start. Just, start. Don’t worry that you are starting with “the wrong thing.” You will need it all, eventually. Here’s how to go about it.

image: white car driving down the road, road trip, family road trip

Survive Your Next Family Road Trip With These 13 Tips

18 Comments / Family / By

As you embark on your family road trip adventure, remember that a successful journey is not merely measured by the miles covered, but by the cherished memories and laughter shared along the way. Embrace the spontaneity, the challenges, and the joys that come with traveling together. Keep these tips in mind – plan ahead, pack wisely, entertain creatively, maintain patience, and nourish your sense of adventure.

hurricane survival

The Wisdom I Learned Surviving 3 Hurricanes (Part 1 of 3)

3 Comments / Emergency planning / By

I learned a lot about hurricane survival when I lived through three hurricanes in a short two-month period. Some of what I gleaned I was able to use almost immediately as the trio of storms swept over Florida. Since it was written in a diary format, some conclusions in the first part have changed by the time you get to the end. Be sure to read all three parts of this article about hurricane survival and lessons learned.

image: woman helping another woman symbolic of personal survival stories

The Power of Personal Survival Stories

1 Comment / Skills & Knowledge / By

There’s no shortage of prepper and survival books and websites, but when a survivor of a disaster talks and tells his or her personal story, it’s another thing altogether. By embracing the lessons embedded within these stories, we can navigate life’s uncertainties with greater wisdom, strength, and determination.

image: women placing foil covered casserole dish in HotLogic portable oven

A HotLogic Portable Oven Review: The Best Way to Enjoy Hot Meals Anywhere

7 Comments / Family / By

My sweet friend, Brenda, first introduced me to the HotLogic self-heating portable oven. She told me how it provided hot, homemade meals for her family during long road trips. “So much better than fast food, and it saves us a lot of money,” she said. I didn’t understand how this simple, insulated, zippered bag could be this miracle worker that she claimed until I tried it myself. Read on to learn what I discovered about this ingenious little tool.

image: boy with bug bite who needs bug bite remedies

Beat the Bugs: Unlock the Secrets of Bug Bite Remedies

11 Comments / Family / By

When friends warned me about the South and bugs, I really thought they were exaggerating. Bugs of every shape, color, and size decided to make their appearance, and it wasn’t long before I was scrambling to learn the best bug bite remedies that wouldn’t have harsh side effects. This resulted in a study of repellents and learning what I can do to prevent as many bites as possible because who needs to be covered with bug bites that become liquid-oozing welts? Read on for what I discovered.

image: two girls woodworking practicing survival skills for kis

Summer PREP School: 48 Survival Skills for Kids to Learn This Summer!

17 Comments / Family / By

About the only life skills kids seem to have these days is how fast they can text on their phones, so why not broaden their horizons and send them to PREP School this Summer? There are dozens of prepper life skills for kids and summertime is the perfect time to learn them. If they learn and cross off 4 skills a week during the 12 weeks they are off from school, they’ll complete the entire list before school starts back up. You can even give incentives for each one they master and hold your own graduation at the end!

image: black woman in pink top holding globe

4 Important Food Storage Lessons Learned While Living Overseas

13 Comments / Basic Prepping / By

I’ve seen the idea come up in conversations from time to time that acquiring food for long-term storage is pointless when you know you’re not going to live in any one place for very long. It’s a pain to lug it from house to house, and if you end up giving all that food away, you probably won’t have it long enough to need it, anyway. My perspective is a little different and comes from my experience with food storage overseas.

image: nighttime tornado destruction

Is Your Family Prepared for Nighttime Tornadoes?

22 Comments / Emergency planning / By

As the sun sets and darkness falls, a sinister threat emerges: nighttime tornadoes. Unseen and unpredictable, these twisters pose a unique danger, catching many off guard. With reduced visibility, seeking shelter becomes more challenging, increasing the risk of injuries and fatalities. Are you prepared to face the terrifying power of a tornado in the dead of night? Arm yourself with knowledge, strategies, and emergency plans to navigate the treacherous realm of nighttime tornadoes and protect your loved ones from their devastating impact.

image: woman in striped shirt and overalls smelling a sunflower sitting on a yellow stepstool to illustrate beauty in hard times

9 Ways to Use the Power of Beauty to Boost Wellbeing in Troubled Times

1 Comment / Family / By

During challenging times, finding moments of joy and pleasure can be essential for maintaining overall wellbeing. Incorporating elements of beauty into our daily lives, such as admiring nature, enjoying art or music, or simply adding a touch of aesthetics to our surroundings, can have a powerful effect on our mood and mental health. Engaging with beauty can stimulate the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, which can improve our sense of wellbeing and help us cope with stress and uncertainty. By prioritizing sensory experiences that bring us joy, we can cultivate a greater sense of resilience and positivity, even in difficult times.

image: cruise ship preparedness on cruise ship anchored offshore of island

Cruise Ship Preparedness: How to Stay Safe at Sea

8 Comments / Family / By

Early in 2013 many of us were fixated on the story of the Carnival Triumph. This massive cruise ship lost nearly all its power due to fire and for five days became a bobbing cork in the water. And how about more recently–remember the Diamond Princess Quarantine? While these incidents are rare, they do happen and if you plan on enjoying the high seas, you need to be ready with cruise ship preparedness.

Image: mom learning how to start homeschooling her daughter and son

How to Start Homeschooling: The Beginner’s Quick & Easy Guide

23 Comments / Family / By

Homeschooling is an educational option that has been gaining popularity in recent years, as more and more parents seek to take control of their children’s education. If you’re considering homeschooling, you may be wondering where to start. With so many options and approaches to homeschooling, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. In this guide, we’ll provide you with some essential information and practical tips to help you get started with homeschooling. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or a first-time homeschooler, this guide will give you the tools and resources you need to create a successful homeschooling experience for your family.

image: young girl showing sheep in a club that teaches kids self-reliance

The Top Four Clubs that will Teach Kids Self-Reliance

11 Comments / Family / By

Family vacations, lazy days at the pool and barbecues are what summertime is all about. Like many moms, you want to keep your children busy. Consider involving them in an organization or club that also teaches kids self-reliance. Many youth organizations are excellent introductions to basic survival and homesteading techniques. Here are brief summaries of four children’s organizations that can teach your child important skills while having fun, making friends and developing a sense of accomplishment.

image: womans hand holding woven basket of how to forage wild foods

How to Forage: Learn the Basics of How to Feed Yourself with Wild Foods

6 Comments / Skills & Knowledge / By

Learning what wild edibles are in your local area is an excellent way to connect with nature, learn about traditional food sources, and gain a greater appreciation for the environment around you. It’s important to research and identify the plants, fungi, and other organisms that grow in your area, and to learn how to distinguish edible species from poisonous ones. There are many resources available, such as field guides, online forums, and local experts, that can help you get started.

image: dead body lying on ground behind crime scene tape because of bad habits

5 Deadly Habits You Need to Change Today

26 Comments / Family / By

Everyone has bad habits. I don’t believe there is a human being alive who doesn’t. In everyday life, most of these aren’t a big deal. You’re not a bad person if you have a weakness for chocolate. So you forget to put your shoes away, no one is going to die from that. Maybe you just need a closet organizer. Survival situations, however, are different from real life. A poor habit that may simply be an annoyance to your spouse on a regular day could have severe consequences in an emergency. In this article, we’ll examine five bad habits, why they will kill you when your survival is on the line, and also some suggestions for establishing new healthier habits.

image: woman in beekeeping suit checking out her bee boxes, reasons to not keep bees

Beekeeping Realities: 14 Valid Reasons to NOT Keep Bees

Leave a Comment / Skills & Knowledge / By

There are several reasons why someone might choose not to keep bees. These can include allergies to bee stings or bee-related products, limitations in available space or time for beekeeping, and concerns related to local regulations, health risks, fear of stings, personal preferences, financial constraints, environmental impact, or ethical considerations. Ultimately, the decision to not keep bees may be based on a combination of practical, personal, and ethical factors that vary from individual to individual.