6 Essential Skills to Prepare Your Children for a Chaotic World

By Cade Shadowlight

 

In an unpredictable world, preparing your children with practical and principled skills is essential for their survival and success. Here are six key areas to focus on, blending timeless values with hands-on abilities. Some recommendations, particularly around values, may spark debate, but they can be adapted to align with your worldview.

 

1. Attitude of Self-Reliance

 

Instill personal responsibility in your children as the foundation of self-reliance, the cornerstone of preparedness in chaotic times. Teach them that responsibility means taking initiative, doing what needs to be done, not just what’s enjoyable or convenient. Encourage them to act proactively rather than waiting for others to step in. Self-reliance empowers them to navigate challenges independently.

 

2. Strong Work Ethic

A strong work ethic is vital for success in any environment, not just survival scenarios. Emphasize the value of hard work, such as the concept of “an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay” (rooted in traditional American values) and the hard-working ant from the Bible (Proverbs 6:6-8). Assdign age-appropriate chores to children, even young ones, and ensure they follow through. As they mature, increase their responsibilities, and consider part-time jobs for older kids. Shielding them from hard work hinders their growth; embracing it builds character and resilience.

 

3. Biblical and Traditional Values
 

Guide your children toward a relationship with God through regular prayer, scripture reading, and worship. Teach them the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ teachings, emphasizing the Bible as the ultimate authority for morality, not the shifting trends of society. Explain not just what you believe, but why, preparing them to face a world—through schools, media, and pop culture—that often denies biblical and traditional values. 

 

Additionally, instill traditional American principles: individual freedom, self-reliance, the sanctity of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, private property rights, the morality of true capitalism, the value of hard work, respect for human life, common decency, and the monogamous family as society’s foundation. Clarify that our rights come from God, not government. 

 

If faith isn’t part of your worldview, adapt this section to reflect your core beliefs, ensuring your children have a moral compass other than personal whim to guide them.

 

4. First Aid (Including Wild Medicinals)

If your children are school-aged, they’re ready to learn basic first aid. As they grow, advance their skills to handle more complex emergencies.  

 

Introduce them to wild edibles and medicinal plants early, teaching identification, collection, preservation, and use. Encourage them to start and maintain a medicinal herb garden, building expertise over time. These skills could prove invaluable in a crisis. See the Resources section below. 

 

5. Self-Defense Skills

Teach situational awareness. More than just observing surroundings, it’s about knowing what to look for and how to assess risks. My article on situational awareness offers practical guidance to start teaching your kids these skills. 

 

Consider enrolling your children in a martial arts program, such as karate or judo. Beyond self-defense, martial arts foster fitness, confidence, and discipline, serving as a lifelong hobby.  

 

If your household includes firearms, prioritize gun safety education from a young age. The NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program is an excellent resource for kids. 

 

Firearms training should begin when you deem your child mature enough. I started shooting and hunting with my grandfathers at age 8 or 9, carrying a .410 shotgun under their supervision. I also learned responsibility by helping clean what I shot, learning a practical skill and reinforcing the gravity of handling firearms.

 

6. Gardening Skills

Teach your children to plant, grow, preserve food, and save seeds for future crops. Involve them in your garden or allocate a small plot for them to manage, letting them choose what to plant while taking on most of the work. In urban settings, explore community gardens or encourage your church to start one. At minimum, visit a farm to show them food’s origins beyond the grocery store. These skills ensure self-sufficiency in times of scarcity. 

Additional Resources

• Recommended first aid handbook: ACEP First Aid Manual (Amazon link)
• For more on wild medicinals, check out Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants (Amazon link)
• Explore my article The Pine Tree Riot (article link) for a deeper insight into private property rights.
• Fr. Robert Sirico’s books Defending the Free Market and A Moral Basis for Liberty provide deeper insights into those American traditional values.
• Recommended gardening guide: Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook (Amazon link)
• For container gardening on a balcony or patio: Container Gardener’s Handbook (Amazon link)
• For growing a medicinal herbs: Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs (Amazon link) and Grow Your Own Drugs, by James Wong (Amazon link).
• For more on wild edibles, check out Samuel Thayer’s books (The Forager’s Harvest, Nature’s Garden, and Incredible Wild Edibles) on Amazon. I own and really like these books.
• The NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program: https://eddieeagle.nra.org/

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Soft Skills for Survival: Unsung Heroes of Preparedness

By Cade Shadowlight

In prepper circles, we often focus on hard skills: first aid, water purification, bushcraft, shooting, and self-defense. These are critical, no doubt. But the soft, less tangible, skills like communication, teamwork, and critical thinking,are just as vital for surviving and thriving in a crisis. The good news? You can develop these skills with intention and practice. Here’s how to start and why these skills matter.

Getting Started with Soft Skills

 

Recognizing the importance of soft skills is the first step. Begin with an honest self-assessment of your abilities in the areas below. Identify where you need improvement, then dive into research. The internet is packed with articles, videos, and books dedicated to these skills. Some community colleges even offer relevant courses. Most importantly, soft skills, like hard skills, are honed through practice. Commit to regular, real-world application to build confidence and competence.

Essential Soft Skills For Survival

Communication and Listening Skills - Effective communication goes beyond speaking clearly. It’s about active listening and conveying ideas in ways others can grasp. In a crisis, clear communication can prevent misunderstandings, de-escalate tensions, and coordinate group efforts. Practice active listening by summarizing what others say to ensure understanding, and work on explaining complex ideas simply.

Social Skills / Networking - A common struggle in the prepper community is finding like-minded individuals or building a reliable network. Strong social skills help you connect, build trust, and maintain relationships. Attend local meetups, engage in online forums, or join preparedness groups to practice meeting and collaborating with others. A tight-knit community can be a lifeline in tough times.

Responsibility / Work Ethic -Taking ownership of your life is the cornerstone of preparedness. A strong work ethic—whether it’s maintaining supplies, learning new skills, or helping others—sets you up for success in any scenario. Start now by tackling small tasks consistently, like organizing your gear or planning your week. Discipline today builds resilience for tomorrow.

Teamwork - Are you a team player or a lone wolf? Survival often depends on cooperation. Being able to compromise, follow shared rules, and work toward common goals is non-negotiable in group settings. Practice teamwork by volunteering for group projects or participating in community drills. Learn to value collaboration over going it alone.

Leadership Skills - Leadership isn’t about barking orders. Instead, Instead, i’s about inspiring, guiding and teacing others. Effective leaders listen, make informed decisions, and foster trust. You don’t need a title to lead; start by taking initiative in small group settings, like organizing a family emergency plan or leading a community preparedness workshop.

Creativity / Problem Solving - Disasters are chaotic and unpredictable. Creative thinking allows you to adapt to unexpected challenges, like finding alternative shelter or improvising tools. Hone this skill by brainstorming solutions to hypothetical scenarios or practicing improvisation with limited resources.

Logic / Critical Thinking - Panic and confusion can cloud judgment in a crisis. Critical thinking helps you stay calm, assess situations objectively, and make reasoned decisions. Practice by analyzing past decisions (what worked, what didn’t, and why?) and engaging in logic-based exercises like puzzles or strategy games.

Organization / Time Management - Preparedness involves endless tasks: planning, inventorying supplies, and maintaining skills. Poor organization can lead to critical oversights. Use tools like checklists, calendars, or apps to stay on top of priorities. Practice breaking large tasks into manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Adaptability - Change is inevitable, especially in a crisis. Adaptability means recognizing, accepting, and responding to new realities without resistance. Build this skill by stepping out of your comfort zone. Try new routines, learn unfamiliar skills, or simulate crisis scenarios to practice pivoting under pressure.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Soft skills are the backbone of survival, complementing your hard skills to make you a well-rounded prepper. Start small, practice consistently, and seek out resources to grow. In a crisis, these skills could mean the difference between chaos and control, isolation and community, survival and failure. Assess your strengths, address your weaknesses, and prepare to face any challenge head-on. 

 

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Gear Spotlight: 4-Way Silcock Key, aka The Water Key (Amazon link)  In an emergency, water access can be a game-changer. The 4-Way Silcock Key opens recessed water spigots found on commercial buildings, parks, and golf courses—sources others might overlook. Compact and durable, it’s a must-have for your bug-out or get-home bag. 

 

 

The Survivalist's Stockpile: Borax

By Cade Shadowlight 

The Survivalist's Stockpile is a new occasional feature here on Dystopian Survival. Each article highlights an item you might benefit from including in your stockpile of supplies.

Borax (Amazon link), best known as a laundry detergent, has a myriad of other uses. As an excellent disinfectant, it tackles a wide range of cleaning tasks, including odor control, all-purpose cleaning, and removing mold, mildew, rust, and various stains. It can unclog drains and toilets. Mixed with equal parts sugar, it serves as an effective bait to kill cockroaches, ants, and other insect pests. Combined with equal parts salt and a bit of elbow grease, it scrubs cast iron cookware clean without leaving a soapy taste. Borax is also used in candle-making to treat wicks, helping them burn longer with less smoke and ash.

In the Garden: Borax is a natural weed killer. Dissolve 10 ounces of Borax in 4 ounces of warm water. Once dissolved, add 2.5 gallons of water and mix thoroughly. This mixture treats approximately 1,000 square feet. Use a garden sprayer to apply evenly, adjusting the amount for the area you're treating.

Borax can also fertilize boron-deficient soil in small amounts. Typically, apply 1 tablespoon of Borax per 100 square feet of soil. Sprinkle it on the soil and till it in, or mix 1 tablespoon of Borax with 1 gallon of water and apply 1 ounce of the solution around each plant’s soil. 

Safety Note: Like many household chemicals, Borax can be toxic to people and pets if ingested. Never consume it or use it internally. Always store Borax safely, out of reach of children and pets.

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Quick Tip: Prioritize Dental Health for Survival

By Cade Shadowlight

Address dental issues promptly; don’t let them escalate. When stockpiling supplies, include ample dental care essentials: toothbrushes, dental floss, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Consider adding dental first aid kits to your preparedness gear, like this one from Adventure Medical (Amazon link). Make daily flossing a non-negotiable habit!

Dental health isn’t just about avoiding cavities. Poor oral hygiene can lead to serious health risks, including cardiovascular disease, strokes, a weakened immune system, dementia, and even certain cancers. Protect your smile to safeguard your overall health.

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Surviving Dystopia: Free and Low-Cost Medical Information

By Cade Shadowlight

Here are some resources that I have found in my own search for health and medical knowledge. It is divided into two sections. The first section is free downloads of medical information in .pdf format. The second section is low-cost information available to the general public. 

Free Medical Information 

(available for download, just click the links)

Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook - Hesperian's classic manual, Where There Is No Doctor, is arguably the most widely-used health care manual in the world. The manual provides practical, easily understood information on how to diagnose, treat, and prevent common diseases. Special attention is focused on nutrition, infection and disease prevention, and diagnostic techniques as primary ways to prevent and treat health problems.

Where There Is No Dentist - The companion to Where There Is No Doctor features information on maintaining tooth and gum health, and treating dental problems, including filling cavities and extracting teeth, when there is no professional dentist available. 

Basic Physical Health with Limited Resources - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) have taught/required preparedness and self-reliance of their members for generations, and have accumulated much practical knowledge on the subject. In addition to the well-known LDS Preparedness Manual, they have also published this 76-page guide to Basic Physical Health with Limited Resources. This book gives information covering Disease Prevention, Cleanliness and Sanitation, Family Food Production, and Basic Family Medical Care, even when resources are limited because of poverty, war, or natural disasters. 

US Military Medical and First Aid Manuals - There are more than 20 US Military Medical and First Aid Manuals available for FREE download (and no email required) in .pdf format on the Federation of American Scientists website. Just click the link to go to the webpage for those manuals, and download the ones you want or might need. Or just download all of them, since they are free.

Where There Is No Vet - Part of the same series as Where There Is No Doctor and Where There Is No Dentist, this book is more than first aid for pets and livestock. It covers a wide range of topics to help keep your animals healthy. Both traditional remedies and modern medicine are covered, and special emphasis is given to preventing disease and keeping your animals healthy. Includes advice on the care, feeding, and handling of animals. Just click the link to go to the download page on the Livestocking.net website. 

Low-Cost Medical Information

Please take a basic first aid & CPR course before an emergency hits! These basic courses are typically free or low-cost. Places you may be able to find a basic first aid course include your local YMCA, fire department, rescue squad, or community college. You also may be able to organize a course through your church, scouting organization, or a local community/civic club. 

[Better and more advanced first aid courses, including trauma aid, can be obtained through Refuge Medical & Refuge Training (Affiliate link).]

I have all of the following books on my Survivalist Bookshelf. There are no blind recommendations. These are the books I use. 

ACEP First Aid Manual, 5th Edition - Everyone, prepper or not, should learn first aid. This first aid manual of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is much more up-to-date (2014) than the American Red Cross manual, which hasn't been updated since 1992. 

The Survival Medicine Handbook, 4th Edition - In my opinion, this is THE essential guide for when medical help is NOT on the way (which happens also to be its subtitle). Written by Dr. Joseph Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, APRN, this massive handbook (close to 700 pages) is a detailed guide for those who want to be medically prepared for any disaster or austere setting where doctors, nurses, or paramedics are not available. 

Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, subtitled The Layman's Guide to Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings, is also by the husband-wife team of Dr. Joseph Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, APRN. This book is a simplified guide to using antibacterial and antifungal veterinary medications (such as fish antibiotics) in disaster, survival, and other austere settings where modern medicine is non-existent.  

Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal, is a popular health advice book from the editors of Reader's Digest, now in its Third Edition. This book takes the approach of connecting the foods we eat to the ailments that they cause or worsen, or that they help heal. This food-health connection is extremely important, and is a natural way to deal with our health issues. 

Herbal Medic: A Green Beret's Guide to Emergency Medical Preparedness and Natural First Aid - With a focus on herbal medicine and first-aid essentials, former Green Beret medic and clinical herbalist Sam Coffman presents this comprehensive home reference on medical emergency preparedness for times when professional medical care is unavailable.

Wilderness & Travel Medicine: A Comprehensive Guide, 4th Edition - A really good pocket-sized guide. Perfect for your bug-out bag, or to toss in a suitcase when you are traveling. 

When There Is No Doctor: Preventive and Emergency Healthcare in Challenging Times - Full of medical tips and emergency suggestions. 

Diabetes Books

I am a Type II Diabetic. These are the three main books I use in dealing with my diabetes, two of which were recommended by my doctor. One is actually a cookbook.

Of all the books I've read so far, the best and most useful is 60 Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar by Dennis Pollock. Pollock's book is an aggressive plan to control your blood sugar by bringing together the best of traditional and alternative medicine. What I appreciate about Pollock's approach is that it is based on solid science, even the "alternative" aspects, and is not some hippy-dippy book that rejects science (avoid those). Also, his ideas are easy to follow.

When I was first diagnosed, my doctor recommended the book Life Without Bread by Dr. Christian B. Allan, and Dr. Wolfgang Lutz. This book presents a low-carbohydrate diet (but one not as severe as the Atkin's Diet) as the best healthy diet for everyone, especially people dealing with high blood sugar. Right now, based on my own experiences and everything else I've read, I think they are right about their low-carbohydrate diet.

My doctor also suggested I try the cookbook Paleo Comfort Foods. Since the Paleo Diet avoids both grains and potatoes, most of the recipes in this cookbook are diabetic-friendly, although you may to substitute stevia for regular sugar in a few of them. I actually use this cookbook often.  (My doctor has told me that he and his family follow a "mostly Paleo" diet.)

Legal Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical professional. I am NOT diagnosing or treating any medical condition. This article only points to health and medical reference materials that are available to the general public.

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Refuge Medical & Refuge Training (affiliate link) - American made First Aid Kits that save the day + Training to back it up. Auto-discount at checkout with my affiliate link.

Review: Survivalist Family—Prepared Americans for a Strong America

By Cade Shadowlight

I've owned and recommended Survivalist Family—Prepared Americans for a Strong America for years, but I've never written an actual review until now. It is high time I corrected that oversight, because this book is the absolute best preparedness and survival guide on a market that seems saturated with such guides. 

About the Author

Before I review the book itself, I want to talk about the author, because it is Joe Fox (aka Viking Preparedness) that makes this book so outstanding. His credentials for writing a survivalist book is impressive: 

• Grew up internationally with his family
• 20-year military career (Green Beret, Pentagon)
• "Unspecified" 3-letter agency post-military career
• Pastor (sermons/teachings on YouTube)
• Volunteer fire fighter, Boy Scout leader
• Over a decade living an off-grid "neo-pioneering" life
• Over 15 years making survivalist videos (YouTube channel, Patreon channel)

His knowledge, drawn from real-world experience, is as far from theoretical as it gets.

About the Book

Survivalist Family is 195 pages of practical information. It covers the basics of preparedness and goes beyond to include information and advice not readily found elsewhere. It is a great guide to both beginner and intermediate preparedness and survival.

The sections in this book include:

• Getting Started (covers the basics + how to get a reluctant spouse on board)
• "It's for the Children" (children and preparedness + the skill sets they need)
• Putting It All Together (budgeting, team building, organizing your home for survival, bugging out)
• Taking It To The Next Level (thoughts and advice on food & water; light, heat & fuel; medical, sanitation and hygiene; guns & ammo; tools; communication)
• Appendices (useful and realistic lists, including a family communications plan)

Fox writes in a way that is understandable, relatable, and complete without unnecessary fluff. He is able to put a lot of information into a book that is readable in only a few sittings. Survivalist Family is my top recommendation for a general preparedness and survival book. Get it now, and start your family on the road to surviving whatever the future may bring.

Survivalist Family is currently available from Refuge Medical for only $20 through my affiliate link. You'll even get an extra discount at checkout on it and all other Refuge Medical products using any of my links. 

Unshackle Your Survival Kit: Why Handcuff Keys & Lock Picks Are Must-Haves

By Cade Shadowlight

In a world where control tightens like a noose, your survival gear needs an edge. Handcuff keys and lock picks might just add that edge. Check your state and local laws, but surprisingly in most places in the USA these are legal for civilians to possess. 

Why carry a handcuff key? Good cops aren’t the only ones with cuffs. Thugs, vigilantes, or worse can slap steel on your wrists. A universal key in your bug-out bag, EDC kit, or hidden in a survival bracelet could be your ticket to freedom. Stash a spare at home. Just don’t play games with the Law. If you’re legitimately arrested, immediately own up about the key. Hiding it to escape custody is illegal everywhere.

Lock picks? They’re not just for cat burglars. Knowing how to use them can open doors, literally, when SHTF. Abandoned buildings, locked supplies, or even your own jammed locks could stand between you and survival. But they’re useless without skill. Learn the craft now. Locksmithing is also a potential side hustle that could pay dividends in a dystopian gig economy. 

Check Amazon for both tools: Handcuff Keys, and/or Lockpicks. 

Stay free. Stay ready.

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Ad:  Nuclear War Survival: A One Hour Crash Course - Learn the basics fast, just in case (Amazon link), by David Kobler (aka SouthernPrepper1). This is a short, easy read that is exactly what it says it is - a crash course covering the basics for nuclear war survival.  

Questioning the Survivalist Narrative: Is Food Storage Overrated?

By Cade Shadowlight

"Stack it to the rafters!” That’s the battle cry of survivalist gurus everywhere, urging you to build a fortress of canned goods to outlast any crisis. But is a massive food stockpile really the key to survival? Let’s ditch the hype and question this narrative, as I always urge my Shadow Tribe to do (see my take on questioning narratives here).

The "Stack It To The Rafters" Narrative

Preppers insist you need a mountain of canned goods, dried beans, rice, MREs, and powdered everything to survive storms, pandemics, or societal collapse. Some even push the old LDS standard of a five-year supply. But is bigger always better? Let’s weigh the pros and cons. 

Why Stockpiling Makes Sense

A food stockpile can be a lifeline in a crisis. Here’s why:

• Disrupted Supply Chains: Empty shelves during COVID proved how fast stores can run dry.
• Government Overreach: Since 2020, over 168 million chickens and turkeys were culled over bird flu fears, spiking prices and shrinking supplies.
• Climate Policies: Some push to limit farming in the name of “saving the planet,” threatening food availability.
• Inflation’s Bite: With prices soaring over the past five years, a stockpile hedges against rising costs.
• Job Loss Buffer: A pantry can tide you over during unexpected unemployment.
• Helping Others: Extra food lets you support family or neighbors in a pinch.

Even a modest stockpile can address most of these risks, so why go overboard? 

The Dark Side of “Stack it to the Rafters”

Massive stockpiles sound great until you face reality:

• Costly Trade-offs: A year’s food for a thrifty family of four costs $11,000+ (per USDA data). Two years? That’s $22,000 you could’ve spent paying off debt, building savings, buying needed gear or training, or moving somewhere safer.
• Bug-Out Trap: Bulky food ties you down. You won't be able to take it all with you, but hesitate too long to bug out, and you’re toast.
• Loss Risks: Fire, flood, tornado, or theft can wipe out your stash in a day.
• Finite Supplies: No matter how much you store, it will run out. A lifetime supply? Impossible unless you’re planning a very short life.
• Big Brother’s Eyes: Hoarding tons of food might raise red flags with authorities, especially as government surveillance and overreach grow (read more here).
• Spoilage: All food goes bad eventually, no matter how well you store it.
• Rotation Headaches: Keeping stock fresh requires constant vigilance.
• Space Hog: Stockpiles clutter your house, turning your home into a warehouse.

Why I'm Ditching the Mega-Pantry

I used to preach the “stack it high” gospel, aiming for a two-year food supply. I was close to that goal when I realized it was more burden than benefit. Now, I’m paring down to a lean two-month stockpile. I calculate this is enough to ride out most disruptions, like winter storms or supply chain hiccups. I'm sticking to store-bought canned and boxed foods, along with powdered perishables (butter, milk, eggs, cheese) from Augason Farms (Amazon link). This keeps things manageable and affordable while I focus on long-term food security.

Smarter Ways to Stay Fed

A survival pantry should be a bridge, not a fortress. Here’s how to build long-term food security:

• Financial Resilience:
  • Secure your job and increase your income to afford food inflation.
  • Pay off debt and build cash savings.
  • Stock junk silver for bartering if the dollar tanks.
  • More on financial matters on Tim Gamble's Wealth From Chaos (website link).
• Local Networks:
  • Hit farmers’ markets to buy and to build relationships.
  • Find and build ties with local farmers, ranchers, egg producers, and beekeepers.
  • Learn bartering skills.
• Self-Reliance:
  • Plant a garden (Vegetable Gardener's Handbook on Amazon).
  • Raise chickens or plant fruit and nut trees, berry bushes.
  • Learn to hunt, fish, trap, or forage wild edibles (practice now!).

I’ll dive deeper into these strategies in future articles. Want to stay in the loop? Join the Shadow Tribe’s free email list by clicking here.

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Survivalist Family, by Joe Fox (Viking Preparedness) is currently available at Refuge Medical for only $20. Great guide to beginner and intermediate preparedness and survival. Highly recommended!