It is entirely likely that when disaster strikes, my kids will be at school. (We do not currently home school, but feel we could and would if we need to and have a like-minded family out in the boonies with whom we would share resources, information and kid time) Our kids go to a private school about 12 miles from where we live (which is rural and hidden, so our home is our retreat).
Where are your kids during the day?
Can you get to them quickly and easily or are there a million hoops to jump through, such a bureaucratic pain put there by the public school system?
Have you talked about a plan with your kids? Are they mature enough to understand and not get frightened, strong enough to do what you ask over what an authority figure opposes?
I want to share our plan and if anyone sees a prob or a better option, by all means share...
Our daughter (9th grade) has a cell phone and it is to be on her person at all times. Like there is any other way with a teenager ;) Anyway, it is to be on silent, but she is to check it after each class. If she EVER sees "911" from me or her father, she is to immediately go check herself out, and then check out each of her brothers who are in elementary.
** Having all the kids on one campus is a real plus and a HUGE blessing in so many ways. I know this wont be the same for all and you may have to divvy up duties between Mom and Dad or neighbor or trusted adult.
Our daughter also carries a generic note stating that she has permission to check everyone out for some "event".
The kids' school backs up to a large expanse of woods. It would offer protection for a short period of time, keep them hidden as well as allowing me to get them without using any main roads - or any roads at all.
Well, INSANE Survival Woman, why not just leave the kids in their classroom until you get to them?, You might say. And its a good question. One of the first "Tenets" of bugging out is to see it coming and get out before "the masses" realize what is going on. A practical example would be grabbing your kids after the first plane hit the first tower and not waiting until several hours and 4 planes later before getting the kiddos - a 9/11 reference...
I also do not want to waste time and having to deal with a line or anything else when I get to my kids' school - I WANT MY KIDS and having them free to move on the outside works best for us - they also will be closer to home in the woods and allowing me to not even go inside the school grounds where chaos may be underway and you never know what "those in charge" will do - they may just put the school in lock down where no one goes in or out... I believe the "Lock down" scenario is highly probable in a Public School environment and not so in a Private School, but you just never know... (I just read the above "paragraph" and to those English majors, SO SORRY)
There may be a situation where cell phone networks are jammed and we may have to change the plan on the fly - so be it. I may have to go into the school to get the kids - but I will be one of the first and not with EVERYONE ELSE trying to get their kids. But by being on the move first hedges our bets against this.
This is the plan worked out with the oldest child. The next 2 are in elementary and so they dont hear the plan - at least not in the entirety. They know that if Girl comes and gets them, they are to go and not question. They are going to wait for me in the woods (a GREAT idea to my littlest). They are to keep this TO THEMSELVES. They are also to grab their school books - we have no idea how long they will be home - having their books will keep them on track and occupied.
Have them think of this as a MISSION - boys will be all over this as well as bunches of girls. Stress the importance, but try not to pass on any fear. Kids will mirror what you give them - give them confidence, adventure, even some fun - we always look for "story" opportunities in our family - and bugging out from school would be a great story for them!
I want you to know that I was very conflicted in sharing this with you. Many people I know read this blog as well as friends that work at my kids' school. Even my mom reads and I am sure there are parts she doesnt like but MAJORLY wants those babies home... I dont think anyone would inject themselves maliciously in our family's workings, but would do so thinking they were helping. This is where having the oldest able to maturely and politely disagree and stay loyal to the family plan is indispensable. If she cant get them where they are supposed to go, we lose valuable time while I try to find them.
Pray, Praise, Prepare
JWE
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2 comments:
When I was in upper HS I was on the list to sign out either of my sisters at any point in time for any reason. Since Mom put me on that list without an expiration date I would have been able to go sign them (4 and 6 years younger then me) out if something happened.
A lock down is entirely realistic in many situations. In that situation I would have gotten them, period. I want them at home with me where they can be protected. It would help a lot that I knew all the administrators and teachers but ultimately that would be irrelevant. They are my family and I am getting them. Unless someone was willing to use physical force they would not stop me and if they did that I would hurt them then gather the kids.
Knowing what room they are in at any given time would go a long way with making that smooth and easy (simpler for elementary kids). Keeping those schedule printouts in the cars might be a good idea. You might get confused if she has X or Y 3rd period and when exactly that period ends, etc. Getting Sally from room 287 is simple enough, whether they like it or not. Walking up and down the halls yelling for her would be substantially more complicated.
The blank check note is a real good idea. Also having a meeting place that is discrete is a good idea. I will keep both in mind for the future.
We don't have children, but I can appreciate the problems in having your underage family members separated from you, and maybe subject to some sort of gov't lockdown when you know they'd be safer at home. I commented earlier today on Degringolade's blog that having some gold coins might allow you to, ahem, avoid some unpleasant red tape should there be a "problem". Private schools might not have the red tape that public one's do - but a reasonably convincing story, and a couple gold eagles might help quietly and peacefully get your family back together. Might be worth a shot, before push comes to shove anyway. Take care.
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