Farming with Kids

Farming with Kids

In my last post, I mentioned that working with your kids can be a challenge because the truth is, it can be. A task that will take you 10 minutes can easily take you 30 when little ones are involved. Here are the biggest working-with-kids tips that I’ve learned so far….. 

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Delegation is necessary. Don't try and do everything yourself because you just can't.     
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Growing up in a big family, I learned a lot about delegation. I essentially worked my way out of many jobs.😅. I am a firm believer that kids are capable of a lot more than we think. The challenge is teaching AND having patience to endure through the learning stages. I’m always on the look-out for ways to keep my kids involved: feeding the pigs, gathering eggs, sweeping the kitchen floor. The key is finding age appropriate chores that they can develop over time. Why? This does two things: 1) it relieves some of the work off me and 2) it gives them a sense of responsibility, ownership in the farm.
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Take time to explain the why.
Deuteronomy 11:19 says
“You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

The unique thing about this passage is that it encourages teaching at all times, always looking for that teachable moment, whether we are relaxing, eating, walking, and on and on. I try to take the time to explain the “why”to my kids throughout the day because, living on a farm, anything can happen. When i take to the time to explain, 70% of the time 😅 it yields a better result. This can really help with the big concepts like safety, animal welfare or personal responsibility. Now, I’m not advocating for an explanation session for every task. 👀😐Cause ain’t nobody got time fo dat. But what I am saying is... take the time to teach as you go about your day. It is valuable for you and a treasure for them.

 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲….𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴.

This one is tough. I have had to accept that the seasons change. Let me say that again: every season will look differently. Which is why I am grateful we get to start over everyday. My life is not perfect. And, there have been days where I have cried. But, we press on because this process is refining me. It’s refining my children. It’s refining my marriage.

Farming is a surefire way to grow within any relationship. It can be messy work, but SO good.

Are you farming with your kids?

Share about the challenges you have faced and the changes you have made while #homesteading

What are some of the tips or advice that you would offer to parents who are #homesteading?


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