Your family looks to you when things go wrong.
Power goes out. Tornado sirens hit. A car breaks down on a back road. Flood waters rise.
In that moment, your kids don’t care about your job title. They don’t care what kind of car you drive. They care about one thing: Dad, do you know what to do?
Preparedness isn’t paranoia.
It’s responsibility.
It’s love in action.
Jesus told the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock. When the storm came, the house stood. Not because the storm was easy, but because the man prepared.
Being a badass dad means building your house on the rock — physically, spiritually, and practically.
1. Start With a Plan
Emergencies are chaotic. A simple plan cuts the panic in half.
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Meeting Point: Where will your family meet if separated? Pick one near home, one outside the neighborhood.
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Communication: If phones go down, does everyone know who to call out of state?
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Roles: Who grabs the go-bag, who gets the dog, who checks the doors? Assign it now, not in the chaos.
2. Stock the Basics
Every dad should have:
Home Kit:
3 days of food and water per person
Flashlights + batteries
First aid kit
Copies of IDs/insurance in a waterproof bag
Blankets, matches, duct tape, multi-tool
Car Kit:
Jumper cables or jump pack
Spare tire + jack
Blanket, snacks, bottled water
Flares or reflective triangles
Portable phone charger
Go Bag:
Change of clothes for each person
Medications
Toiletries
Small Bible or devotional (strength for the spirit)
Cash in small bills
3. Train Your Kids
Prepared kids are confident kids.
Teach them how to dial 911 and what to say.
Practice fire drills at home.
Role-play what to do if a stranger approaches.
Show them where the emergency kit is and how to use it.
You don’t need to scare them. You need to empower them.
4. Stay Ready Yourself
A dad who panics is no help. A dad who’s steady changes the whole room.
Keep your body strong enough to lift, run, and carry in an emergency.
Pray for peace and clarity — your calm will anchor your family.
Refresh your kits every 6 months. Rotate food, check batteries, update clothes.
Life Application: The 48-Hour Drill
This week, run a family exercise:
Pick a scenario. Power outage, tornado, car breakdown.
Walk through it. Where do you meet? What’s missing from your kit?
Debrief. Ask your kids what felt confusing. Fill the gaps.
It won’t be perfect. That’s the point. You’ll find the weak spots now instead of in the storm.
Emergencies will come. The question is not if, but when.
Your job isn’t to live in fear. Your job is to be the steady rock your family can lean on. Build the house. Pack the bag. Make the plan. Pray for wisdom.
Because when the storm hits, your kids won’t forget that Dad was ready.
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