I think when you are starting to homestead or starting towards the idea of wanting to homestead we probably all have an expectation of how we want things to work ideally. I read these beautiful blogs and look at these pictures and in a way really yearn for other people's homesteads. But it's not realistic. It's not what works for my family and it's not going to help me feel good about my own situations. It's important to figure out which "elements" of homesteading work well for your family, for your situation and embrace that. Some examples:
Working:
I was a SAHM for about 6 years. I loved it. I really did. But there came a point financially, personally, and an opportunity presented itself that I went back to work full time. Sometimes I do wish that I was still at home and all the kids were running around under my apron strings all day and there were no schedules to tend to. But, REALISTICALLY: I have a job I love ( I do for real, it's great) I get to work in a very professional environment with other like minded people to promote school gardens, farmer's markets, research food deserts, etc. etc. etc. etc. It's AMAZING). Our oldest goes to a fantastic small rural public school with a great teacher and she blossoms in it. Our younger two go to a babysitter 2 days a week that has a huge farm, and she only watches after my kids and she treats them like her own. She gives the real food! and they play outside most of the day exploring forts and tree houses, streams and playing with the animals. The other days they stay with my Mother in law. My husband and I both have flexibility within our jobs and we can attend school functions, doctor appointments etc. Land:
Many homesteaders have a huge, sprawling bounty of land that I could easily be jealous of. But I have to say that our 5 acres is pretty fantastic. 3 ponds, a stream, a well ( that you can actually draw water from with a steel bucket!) trees, open spaces. It's quite stellar. You have to be happy with you have people, and make it work. We know we are very blessed to live here. School:
I read homeschoolng blogs... it's kind of my secret fantasy.. I would like to homeschool, and may in the future. But as mentioned earlier my oldest goes to a great school. My younger 2 will follow when they are old enough. There may be a point in public education that I no longer feel that this is best for them, but for now it works. My husband and I are involved in the school, I read to the kids constantly, we do fun educational activities all the time, I have homeschool materials that I use with them even though they aren't technically "homeschooled". I gave up my guilt of not homeschooling a long time ago, and it makes me a better parent knowing that it's okay!This post is becoming increasing longer so there will be a part 2 coming soon that examines: gardening, food, animals, and frugality.
What are some other things that you really want to do as a "homesteader" but just aren't quite there yet? Are you content being where you are right now?
Excellent post. Very well thought out and good points made. In our homesteading quest, we tend to lump all our goals roughly under a category we call "self-sufficiency." We've learned that means adjusting our lifestyle to what we can do and grow, rather than trying to continue a "typical" modern lifestyle. Energy is one thing on our goal list, though I think it will be difficult to attain. We figured out that neither solar nor wind is particularly feasible for us, energy self-sufficiency still remains a puzzle and a quest. It's a long term goal.
ReplyDeleteGood point about contentment. That's always our challenge. For us, it just seems to be going too slowly, though I think in part that's because we're older. Having an older home in need of much repair is another issue. It would need this even if we weren't homesteading; we're just trying to upgrade it to suit our homesteading needs. Still, there's no where else I'd rather be.
Thanks Leigh! Energy is certainly a great goal to have. We also have thought about the best ways to utilize solar or wind energy and are still trying to figure out some logistics, but hopefully soon we can have some better ideas on that.
Delete" Still, there's no where else I'd rather be." --- LOVE that, and good for you.
How lovely! It is so interesting to read about your life and dreams. thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your lovely comment on my ojo de dios, got me to visit you. i am following you now and would be honored if you would like to follow back, but no hard feelings if not :-)
ReplyDeletehave a great week
love
jutta
Sure thing. Your blog is very fun. Thanks forfollowing and I look forward to "getting to know you" through your blog in the future. Thanks!
DeleteIt' so easy to get caught up in what "everybody else" in blog-land is doing! I applaud your decisions about your job, family, homeschooling, and homestead. It sounds like you have a beautiful place there! And to be content with what God has blessed you with, that's the goal!
ReplyDeleteI went through a time recently, where all I could think about was getting out of debt by selling our house and getting some land with a creek or stream, ponds, barns or outbuildings, etc. I became almost obsessed with those thoughts because that's all I read about! My husband is very content to stay where we are and my discussions about a farm really made him sad. I finally came to my senses and realized that it's o.k. to have a mortgage! As long as we are paying our bills and all, why worry so much? God is taking very good care of us, and I need to keep my eyes on Him, not our debt! Maybe one day we will live on a farm, but for now, I'm: "Enjoying where I am on the way to where I'm going!"(Joyce Meyer) Blessings from Bama!
I agree... it gets very easy to become "obsessed" with something that it seems like others are always talking about, whether it be debt, their homestead or whatever. Contentment is a very good place to be in.
DeleteWe are going to be new to this homesteading stuff. Very soon we will be keeping chickens on our suburban homestead of 1/4 acre! We are very excited, but somewhat nervous too. Also, for the first time in my life I will be attempting a garden! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be an adventure!
Jennifer, chickens will be such fun, I think you will really enjoy them. Let me know how things are going! Best of luck!
DeleteGreat post! It is so easy to look around and want what others have. We constantly have to remind ourselves that we are not them and they are not us. I am struggling to let go of homeschooling... I really want it but it just doesn't fit too well with our life at the moment. Maybe things will change in the future, but for now I always have to remind myself that what kids really need is a happy home. Thanks for sharing!
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