Children And Self-reliant Living

How well do children and self reliant living go together? If you are considering a move back to a simpler lifestyle this might be a question you are asking. Of course, children who are born into self reliant households do not know any other lifestyle and have nothing to miss. However, the modern conveniences that other children enjoy can be very hard for them to leave behind.

Many families today are choosing to move from the cities and step back into a more rural self-sufficient lifestyle. The children who are accustomed to leaving lights on and waking up to a warm bedroom may find things very different from what they are used to. If their entertainment has been primarily in front of a screen, either television or computer, they may suffer withdrawal if you new home is too far out for those amenities.

Children under three years of age adapt very well to any situation as their security is still based on mom and dad. However, taking steps backwards in small increments may help to eliminate some of the problems that children older than three years may experience when moving away from the modern ways of life to self sufficiency.

Older children especially teenagers may have problems learning to exist without their electronic toys and gadgets. If these kids did not have regular household responsibilities they may also complain loudly at having to help keep the home warm, feeding livestock or farming. Working along side your teenager will help during the transition. As they become comfortable and accustomed to their new work load you will find them needing or wanting you around less.

Before moving into a self reliant situation it would be helpful for the family to have discussions on what they will be doing, what will be expected, and how to avoid the new dangers that will present themselves. Living in the city not talking to strangers is an important lesson we teach our children. However, children in self reliant households have to deal with new and different dangers.

Things like: Never pick up a snake unless you ask us first, Never eat anything that you find in the woods unless you ask us, Never pick plants that you do not recognize are just a few of the admonitions you will have to teach them. For children who have never lived away from cities, these common sense rules will keep them safe from injury or rash. A healthy child is a happy child!

Cooperation and consideration will also go a long way to helping older children adapt. Parents should understand that the older child or teen may become angry at their parents choice and seek solitude. If they are old enough, parents should not be concerned for their safety if they walk off into the fields for awhile. Explanations are important to children of all ages. Parents who are choosing to move back in time should talk often with their children and be ready to respond to their concerns and questions regardless of what or when they may ask.

As with any new situation some children may act out or revert to behaviors of a younger child. A preschooler who was potty trained might start having accidents. A toddler who has given up their bottle or pacifier may demand them back. Knowing that these behaviors are common will go a long way to keeping parents and children content.

Occasionally a child that has never expressed any fears will start to do so. A child who must now use an outhouse may develop a fear of the dark. This is normal, but parents can take steps to empower the child to overcome those fears. Provide the child his own flashlight or volunteer to accompany that child outside every time without complaining. Not only will this help their child overcome this particular fear, but overall this type of support will help that child adapt more readily to their new way of life.

Children who live in urban areas rarely have a chance to watch the sun set or see the Milky Way. Self-reliant households are usually far enough away from light pollution that every night is a spectacular event. Seeing the Milky Way for the first time outside of a planetarium is an amazing thing. Many times children of self-reliant households find the local wildlife; birds, small mammals and reptiles very interesting. Keeping many wildlife identification books on hand will provide an educational plus that many city-reared children never have.

With a little forethought and understanding a return to self-reliant living can be an adventure for the whole family.