Winter time feels differently on the farm. The days are shorter and though there is still work to be done, the pace is a bit slower. All of the gardens lay sleeping so the ground can rest. There is no green grass to run barefoot through or a warm breeze to enjoy. Still the kids pack on extra layers and head outside to enjoy the sunshine and lend a hand with chores.
They all have chores to do that are age appropriate. Callen (who is just 2) makes things take much longer, but it is worth it to have your little ones begin learning at a young age. He is still able to learn independence and feel accomplishment. Don’t think you have to leave the little ones out completely mamas! When I walk down below to the barn my heart melts a bit seeing a small cowboy tagging along with his egg basket in hand. Callen’s always so proud because he loves feeling like he’s being such a big help! Once we make it down to the barn Colt and Bella gather the eggs for me.
This time of year all of the water troughs like to freeze daily so thats another job for the kids. But they LOVE this one since hammers are used haha! Bella knows how to hook the hose up to start the water pump and get fresh water to all the animals daily. My dad ran water lines for us over the summer and this has been the biggest blessing!
We also have to move all of the hay by hand so this again is a team effort. Many hands make light work, but that doesn’t mean they don’t stop to have some fun on the hay bales! So many fun memories have been made watching these kids play and slide down the big bales of hay.
Keeping a tidy milking barn is also something they all help with. Our barn may be small, but that doesn’t mean we allow her to get messy. Deep bedding . Bella fills the nest boxes with straw so the chickens can give us nice clean eggs for water glassing.
Of all the things we love on the farm, spending time together as a family has to be at the top of the list. We pull our weight and work together. The kids learn that they are capable of so many things, but especially a job well done. They learn responsibility and the importance of doing things right. And you know what, they thrive. They find freedom in learning their own capabilities and independence.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
