Each week, the tired mother in me looks through the house, and wonders 'what happened to everything I did this week?' The farmer in me looks through the barn and wonders 'why is there all of this poop all over here again?' The gardener in me looks through the garden and wonders "how can weeds grow so much faster that the plants?'
As a homesteader, we can tire of doing a job and then a week later, it needs done again! I sometimes look around and feel like I got nothing accomplished! Those days where my hubby works late or is gone for a few days with training, doing all of the work by myself is hard! I get it done, but I am one tired mama when I am done at the end of the day!
On our little farm, we have a 4 goats, 6 sheep, 2 cows, about 30+ chickens, a turkey, and dogs and cats and we have a garden this is about 700 square foot. We also have a large lawn to mow, and flower gardens (mostly perennials). There is laundry to wash and hang outside. I bake a lot, and feed my family about 85+ home cooked meals a month. We have a house to keep clean, and 4 boys to raise.
This is not including anything that we do at/for church, and family activities!
Some people think I am nuts for taking on so much, but I have a helper! I thank God for this man DAILY, if not more. Besides being an awesome husband and father, he is the best homesteading partner I could ask for (give or take a few disagreements over using Round-up! Ha!). Anyone who is taking on homesteading from a mid to major degree, needs a great partner. This could also be a best friend, a sister (or brother), a neighbor, or anyone else who thinks like you and who could add to your gifts and talents on the farm.
On our farm, I am the idea person, my husband is the person who makes it a reality. I am the manager of the garden, he is the manager of the yard. I manage the chickens, the sheep and the goats. He manages the cows. I manage the house, and he is the boss. :)
When my husband is working though, sometimes I need a helper! At these times, I call on my oldest son the most. I can usually count on him to help me with thing that I need help with. Of course sometimes I need to double check his work, or end up doing it to show him how, but in most cases, even a little help is better than none!
Taking on a homestead can be HUGELY (is that a word?) rewarding. But know your limits! A partner can help push those limits further than you would be able to on your own. With the gifts, talents, ideas, work ethic and more of two people (or more!), you can accomplish a lot and make your homestead a success!
Who is your Homestead Helper?
5 comments:
My husband was raised in the city. I was raised on a farm. My kids became my homesteader helpers. CL loved the country life, but had no clue and was so busy working to learn much. Now we've been married 30+ years and he has learned a lot. With the kids leaving, he is spending more time learning and loving being the initiator and I'm becoming the helper. Funny how things can turn around!
Thanks, Becky Jane
Raising kids can be a lot like weeding the rose bed...well worth it, but...OUCH!
http://myelevenreasons.blogspot.com/
I've really enjoyed your blog! I have a moderate garden and a large yard, only 2 dogs and two aging parents. Just with a large garden, there is always something to be done, every day. I try to get Teen Laborers (my nieces & nephes) to help when I need it. Nothing beats a great helper, to get things done and feel like you have a little support.
Oh you must have read my poor achey self of late too! My Mom is my helper and thank goodness for her! My husband is such a hard worker, but mostly away from home. So all the extra hands come from my Mom and I just love her each second of the day! Great post!
My homestead helper is just like yours - He gives my vision legs! I could so identify with cleaning and then having to reclean. While I do not have farm animals or the load of yours - I get so frustrated when I get my world in order only to see it in chaos a few days later! My oldest son used to be such a leader for his brothers and a great help - but he's about 6 years older and he grew up and got married. The brotherhood really misses him - and so does his mother:)
You are an inspiration!
My homestead helper is just like yours - He gives my vision legs! I could so identify with cleaning and then having to reclean. While I do not have farm animals or the load of yours - I get so frustrated when I get my world in order only to see it in chaos a few days later! My oldest son used to be such a leader for his brothers and a great help - but he's about 6 years older and he grew up and got married. The brotherhood really misses him - and so does his mother:)
You are an inspiration!
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