Raising the Ant - Not the Grasshopper

It is a story almost as old as the age of reason. The ant toils all summer while the grasshopper squanders the day to sing instead of preparing for winter. As preppers and homesteaders we understand the importance of setting a little extra aside for emergencies. But when it comes to children, the best way to convey this concept is through the everyday struggles we endure...

It is difficult to explain to the youngest children why we need to leave home, venture among the wolves of the world and bring home enough to get by. They don't see the reasoning behind our absence - only that we are gone.

So, the best way to share this understanding is through story. A fable like the Ant and the Grasshopper is the most efficient way to convey this concept, but without practice and involvement, the level of understanding is up to you as a parent. It is up to us as parents and providers to share the in-depth reasoning behind our actions.

Here we are in mid-summer stride as I write this. In six months, the bitter cold will be upon us. The simplicity of preparedness in summer for the woes of wintertime is often far from our minds.  The sun is out. The bodies of water call for us to dive in. The mountain breeze offers an escape from our toil. These moments are fleeting at times and should be captured in moderation. Because winter is inevitable.

By taking action and including your own children in the long-term tasks you can engage another level of understanding. Preparedness is the greatest shield against the harshness of Mother Nature. When the toil of mankind is observed as a virtue, only then will the fallacy of modern convenience be exposed.

So when others around you are spending while you are saving, playing while you are pining, or sloughing off while you are suffering, know that you are building comfort for the ones you love in the times of need. And you are not alone. In time, your children will understand but only if you include them in the experience and share your reasoning along the way.

Episode 4 - Raising the Ant, Not the Grasshopper