Share the moment or event that made you realize you needed to start prepping as a dad. Your story might inspire someone else to take action.

One of the most overlooked areas of preparedness is also one of the most important: your kids. As fathers, we prep to protect. But true protection isn’t just about stacking supplies — it’s about building capable, confident children who can stay calm, take action, and think critically in a crisis. Involving your kids in your prepping journey doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. In fact, when done right, it can strengthen your bond and equip them with life-long skills. Shift the Narrative: Confidence Over Chaos First, let go of the idea that prepping with your kids has to be heavy or fear-based. You’re not scaring them. You’re teaching them to be capable. Frame it like this: - “Here’s how we stay ready, just in case.” - “Being prepared means we’re in control.” - “This is what strong families do.” The goal is to normalize preparedness — not make it a source of anxiety. Age-Appropriate Ways to Involve Your Kids Ages 3–6: - Help stock shelves with canned food - Teach “stop, drop, and roll” - Name and identify safety items: flashlight, radio, first aid kit - Play “hide and seek” drills with walkie-talkies Ages 7–12: - Practice fire drills and bug-out routes - Let them pack a small go-bag (add snacks, games, flashlight) - Teach basic first aid and navigation with a compass - Include them in your food storage plan Teens: - Involve them in decision-making: gear, routes, strategies - Assign responsibilities during drills - Teach self-defense and advanced first aid - Let them help research real-world survival scenarios - Make It Fun, Make It Routine Prepping doesn’t need to be a chore. The more you can gamify it, the more engaged your kids will be. Ideas: - Build a weekend “no power” challenge (no lights, no fridge, no Wi-Fi) - Start a garden together for food and hands-on learning - Use board games like Risk or strategy apps to teach decision-making - Do a family scavenger hunt for gear or supplies Consistency matters. Even small monthly drills or gear reviews teach that preparedness is a family lifestyle — not just a dad thing.

Most people have heard of an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) in movies or conspiracy circles. But if you're a dad serious about prepping, it's not science fiction—it’s a potential real-world threat you need to be ready for. An EMP is essentially a high-powered burst of energy (often caused by a nuclear explosion in the upper atmosphere or a solar flare) that can fry electronics, knock out power grids, and throw society into chaos in seconds. The good news? You don’t need to be a doomsday extremist to prepare. You just need a smart, family-focused plan that helps you protect and provide no matter what hits. What Happens After an EMP? Imagine this: no electricity. No phone service. No vehicles. No running water or refrigeration. That’s the power of an EMP. Our modern world is built on vulnerable systems. And if those systems go down, the average household only has about 3 days of food, no water purification, and zero backup communication. As a father, it’s your job to think ahead. To not rely on luck. To lead. First Steps: Protect What You Can 1. Harden Your GearThe best way to protect electronics from EMPs is by using a Faraday cage—a shielded container that blocks electromagnetic fields. You can DIY one with a metal trash can, foil-lined bag, or buy pre-built solutions. Suggested items to protect: - Shortwave radios - LED flashlights - Battery-powered walkie-talkies - Small solar chargers - USB thumb drives with important documents 2. Backup Power & LightSolar panels, crank-powered devices, and battery banks are crucial. Even if your main systems go down, having a way to light your home or communicate locally makes a massive difference. Family-Centered Survival Must-Haves Water:After an EMP, municipal water may stop. Stockpile water jugs, but more importantly, keep gravity-fed water filters or tablets on hand. Food:Keep a rotating stock of shelf-stable meals—canned goods, dehydrated meals, and grains. Prioritize simple, calorie-dense, no-cook options.

Cody Barbo isn’t your stereotypical survivalist. He’s not living off-grid, stockpiling ammo, or raising chickens on 20 acres. He’s a father, a CEO, and a prepper living in a townhouse in San Diego. His story is a great reminder that preparedness isn't about paranoia — it’s about responsibility, especially when you have a family depending on you. Let’s break down what makes Cody’s approach relatable and smart for any dad trying to keep his household ready, even in limited space. The “Switch” That Turned Him Into a Prepper For Barbo, prepping wasn’t always on his radar. But becoming a father changed everything. The moment his child was born, he started asking deeper questions: - What happens if the power goes out for a week? - What if civil unrest hits our neighborhood? - What if we can’t rely on supply chains anymore? This shift in mindset is common among many dads. It’s not fear—it’s instinct. It’s leadership. Barbo didn’t want to leave anything to chance when it came to his family’s well-being. Urban Prepping With Purpose One of the most practical parts of Cody’s story is how he’s adapted to urban prepping in tight quarters. He doesn’t have a bunker, but he does have: - A deep pantry with weeks’ worth of food and water - Portable solar chargers in case of grid failure - Medical kits and basic trauma supplies - Cash reserves for emergencies - Communication backups in case cell towers go down He also studies the news, runs scenario planning, and reads books that challenge mainstream narratives. This helps him stay level-headed and proactive instead of reactive. What He Teaches His Family Barbo is focused not just on stocking gear—but also on building self-reliant mindsets in his household. He’s teaching his family: - How to cook from scratch - How to garden in small spaces - How to have “plan Bs” for everything from transportation to communication - How to stay calm and focused during emergencies It’s about confidence, not control. Prepping becomes a normal part of family life, not some secret or fearful obsession.

What’s your first move if the power goes out indefinitely? Share your home response plan and help others tighten theirs.