How to Get Your Parents Into Prepping Without a Fight

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This episode and article were inspired by a great listener question from E. Hunter, who asked: “As an 18-year-old living with my parents, how would I go about getting my parents onboard with prepping?” That question’s probably not one a lot of you are wondering—especially because, let’s face it, most preppers are old enough to be the parents or grandparents in this situation. That’s what makes this topic so interesting — it flips the usual dynamic.

So, Hunter, you’re ready to take preparedness seriously, but your parents? Not so much. Maybe they brush it off, change the subject, or roll their eyes when you bring it up. That’s frustrating. Especially when you just want your family to be safe.

Here’s the thing about making that happen. Most of the time, it’s a long game, and it’s about being strategic and steady rather than trying to fight against the tide and make it happen immediately.

In this episode and article, we’re going to break down how to approach the situation in a way that actually works—without starting a family fight. You’ll learn how to build trust, avoid common pitfalls, and become a steady presence that gradually shifts the preparedness in your home.

Because even if they never fully come around, you can still lead the way. And if you’ve got a question like E. Hunter’s, send it in—your story might be the next one we unpack here.

TL;DR Struggling to get your parents to take prepping seriously? This guide shows young preppers how to lead by example, reduce resistance, and stay strategic when family members aren’t on board—yet.

1. First, Understand Where They’re Coming From

Before you try to change someone’s mind, you need to understand what’s shaping it. Whether it’s habit, fear, stress, or just a lack of exposure, your parents’ reluctance to prep probably isn’t coming from a bad place. These next two points break down why they might not be seeing things the way you do — and how to work with that instead of against it.

Why they’re not thinking about it (yet)

This is often a case of normalcy bias at work. For some people, the idea that things could go bad doesn’t even register—they’re too used to life staying the same. Others might feel the threat deep down but avoid the conversation altogether because it’s too uncomfortable. And depending on how much they’ve already got going on, prepping might just feel like one more thing they don’t have time, money, or energy for. There are also those who avoid prepping because of the pressure put on them by others.

Your age works against your credibility at first

I didn’t get this when I was 18. I felt like I was an adult and I’d get frustrated (as all young people do) when I thought I was being treated as a kid. Unfortunately, that’s the way of the world. Maybe that comes from some parents always seeing their children as their babies. Whatever the reason, you—just like I was—may be fighting an uphill battle when it comes to getting your family on board. And if it is, don’t worry, because there are ways to get it done—you just have to be strategic about it. One thing to keep in mind: trying to force the issue often backfires. Oftentimes, the harder you push, the more likely they are to dig in. So be smart about how you bring things up, and don’t expect them to jump on board right away.

2. Don’t Preach Preparedness — Model It

Many people tune out when they feel like they’re being talked at. So, if they’re not into preparedness, don’t bombard them about it. If you want your parents to take preparedness seriously, start by doing what you can to prepare on your own. Quiet, steady actions, with results they can see, stick with people more than preaching to them about the need ever will.

3. Focus on Action

When you quietly build habits that show you’re thinking ahead, it gets noticed. You’re not bragging or preaching. You’re just quietly doing the work. Ensure your family vehicles are set up with a first aid kit and other emergency supplies. Check the smoke detectors. If your family doesn’t have a 7-day food supply set aside, ask if they’d mind if you create it. Yes, I know you’d like more days of preparedness, and you have to start somewhere with them.

If you are starting from scratch, take the time to create a seven-day meal plan for your family using food they like, which will last a couple of years.  Price out what it will cost. Then, you can either buy the food yourself and store it away, or ask them to pay for it. If you’re asking them to pay for it, you’re armed with your meal plan and costs to show them you’ve thought it through. If they still push back, Christmas is just around the corner—ask for it as a gift.

One of the things you may find is that sometimes the best, least drama-causing way to get them prepared is to prepare for them in advance. It may seem like a lot at first, but over time, you’ll get it there. Then, if or when it’s ever needed, you’ll be ready, and they’ll be relieved.

4. Build Small Wins They Can’t Ignore

If you haven’t already done so, consider taking a CPR and first aid class. If you do, mention it to them. Ask them if they’d like to go with you.

If you have your own car, make a point of staying up on the maintenance. Even people who aren’t mechanically inclined can learn how to change wiper blades and keep the tires properly aired up. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, ask if you can put one in. If you can’t, check to see if you can keep one in your room. That’s better than nothing.

Should you focus on small wins and being flexible in what you consider success, you’ll stand an excellent chance of getting your family much better prepared than I assume you are now. If you can pull some of that off, you’re doing great!

5. Manage Your Expectations

Many preppers, myself included, like to say that preparedness is a journey, not a destination. And yes, I fully admit that that statement gives us a total out on never being satisfied with our preparedness. Because yes, even if I have my bunker, I’ll never be happy with the size. It could be 10,000 sq ft, and I’d want it bigger.

That being said, since it is a journey, it has to begin somewhere. That somewhere is typically, at the starting line of the woefully unprepared. And facing that woefully unprepared feeling is you, me, and most other preppers. What we need to recognize is that for 99% of us, we can’t go from being woefully unprepared to having an expandable 10,000 sq ft bunker anytime soon, if ever.

However, we can start heading in that direction and, over time, become as well-prepared as possible for the circumstances.  After all, no matter how prepared anyone on the planet is, Mother Nature and Humanity itself have the capability to make all human life on the planet extinct—regardless of how large and well-stocked your bunker is.

So, while everyone will probably always want to be better prepared, we must manage our expectations and work to be happy with doing our best. That means

6. Be Careful With Overwhelming Them

When dealing with people who may not be as on board with preparedness as you, you can work to find ways to get them involved, even if for nothing more than making the first time they think through an emergency/disaster/stressful situation, not when they experience, but rather when you get them to consider it.

If you have a family member who isn’t into preparedness, you can try introducing them to it. Begin by researching your area and identifying the disasters that are most likely to occur. Then, ask what they and you should do if that disaster were to happen.

You can also try asking them what it would be like if X were to happen. “What would it be like if the power were out for 3 days?” Hopefully, that helps you get people to think about what it would be like.

7. Don’t Speak in Prepperish

If your goal is to win someone over to preparedness, think twice about acronyms, gear lists, or worst-case scenarios. Most people shut down when a conversation starts sounding like it came from a survival forum. Instead, use words and examples they know. You’re goal is NOT TO blow people out of the water with prepper knowledge. It’s to get them on board. Speak their language, not yours. Let them see prepping as practical, not paranoid.

8. Don’t Argue Politics, Conspiracy Theories, or Headlines

Even if you’re right, you’re likely to lose the bigger battle. Arguments about politics or what they consider conspiracy theories tend to create walls instead of opening doors. They change the focus from safety and preparedness to proving a point, which only makes it harder to move the prepping conversation forward. Once the conversation drifts into politics or controversial headlines, people stop thinking about what they can do and start thinking about whether they agree with you. That shuts the whole thing down. If you want traction, steer the conversation toward common sense, shared concerns, and problems they’ve actually seen or dealt with before.

9. Don’t Push Harder When They Resist

Resistance is a sign to back off, not double down. When someone digs in their heels, it usually means they’re feeling uncomfortable or pressured. That’s not the time to argue harder. It’s time to slow down and let the idea breathe. Give them space. Oftentimes, the best solution is to plant the seed with a little comment or question. Then, let it germinate. At a minimum, they will have thought it through a bit, should the event ever happen, and that’s them being better prepared. At best, they’ll think about it and decide to do something to address any vulnerabilities. Don’t let your worry for them overwhelm the slow and steady strategy that works, by driving them away from preparedness. Changing mindset is a slow process. Be patient. It’ll get there.

10. And If They Never Get on Board? You Still Win.

Because you’re becoming better prepared through this entire process. Inch by prepping inch, you’re becoming better prepared. Remember the Success Formula. Just by listening to this episode / reading this article, you’re increasing you’re gaining knowledge and shaping your perspective. That’s improvement, and improvement is preparedness.

The Bottom Line

Getting your parents (or anyone, for that matter) on board with prepping isn’t about winning an argument or flipping a switch. It’s usually about steady effort, showing—not telling—and meeting them where they are. Maybe they come around. Maybe they don’t. Either way, you’re building your own capability and mindset, and preparing. That’s the long game.

Stay calm. Keep doing the work. The rest will follow.

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