Helping Mom on the Farm
Our Great Pyrenees Livestock Guard Dogs are good with kids
I don’t know who was happier to have the kids at the barn this weekend – me or the dogs!
Aza loves a belly scratch!
One guilty secret that I have is that I don’t have my kids help me with the farm every day. They do help, and they know how to do many chores, but during the summer – I let them sleep many weekend mornings rather than roust them out of bed to do farm chores.
When we home schooled there was more time for the kids to be involved with the alpacas. All of my children have helped halter train alpacas, and have showed them in Performance Obstacle Classes. My oldest has even shown in Championship Halter Classes. But now that they go to regular school they barely have time for homework and enrichment activities during the week.
Recently a Twitter friend suggested that I put the kids to work digging ditches and putting up fencing. Now he may not have realized how old my children were (6-12), but when I read that I thought, “Man, my kids have it good.” Too good?
This weekend I had two eager helpers and we had a great time doing alpaca chores. Our livestock guard dogs, Joy and Aza, were happy to have the kids around to play with. My son filled up lots of water buckets while his sister enjoyed playing in front of the fans. (She also filled up the feed buckets.)
The kids never miss a chance to play in Mom’s office at the barn. They love the little finger puppets made from alpaca fiber. Those puppets, paper and pencils can keep them entertained for hours. My barn refrigerator door is filled with sticky-note artwork.
The verdict? "It has gnats," to quote the scientist.
As a parent I struggle with the questions – How much work is too much for a child to remain a child? How much work is not enough for a child to develop a good work ethic?
I guess every family has to determine how much they should make their kids do with regards to work/chores. All my kids do chores, but I have to admit…sometimes I like to go to the barn to do the chores myself to get away from the chaos in our busy home with four children and numerous pets. The alpacas and the barn are so peaceful…sometimes that is just what I am craving. A few minutes away. Where it’s quiet.
But this evening when my son said to me, “Mom, I want to help at the barn every time! It’s fun!” - it was music to my ears! What a joy, sharing the alpacas with my children.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. What do you think about children and chores?
August 17th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Oh, you said it perfectly. I struggle with the same concern. I love the pics you shared and I believe if the kids see barn work as fun and see that your “work” makes you happy that they will develop a good work ethic. My eight year old loves to help me feed the pacas and fill their water but if she doesn’t, I don’t get on her because…she is eight. She is learning that it’s fun and it needs to be done and she is loving the herd as much as Mom. Your daughter standing in front of the fan and the kids at the microscope….well, taking my farm motto, I believe they KNOW THE WONDER of alpaca and the picture of your son looking out the door, water pail in hand, totally shows it.
August 17th, 2009 at 5:46 am
My 8 yr old often helps TOO much. I like to”putter around” (as my granny used to say) while I do the chores…lets me get to know the personal antics of each alpaca, and unwind from the day’s stress.
But when I get help, I find my self hurrying about to get done so my “helpers” aren’t burdened.
The time in the pasture gives me time away from the chaos, too…and having heart-to-heart talks with my animals keeps me from going insane! (at least I think so anyhow!) LOL!
August 17th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Katy your kids are adorable. I only wish I had started sooner with alpacas to be able to have your dilemma! Mine are all grown and gone and I’m hoping for grandkids one of these day to share the alpaca life with – including some chores of course!
August 17th, 2009 at 7:33 am
I have a 11 year old boy and a 15 year old girl that like to help with some chores. I tend to let them help with toenail and injections. That way they get to brag to their friend that they can give shots. They help around in other ways, but are usually sleeping or in school when most of the work is done.
August 17th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I think working along side children is the answer. If ditches need to be dug dig them together. sending a child out to dig ditches alone at a young age somehow I cringe at that.
I like the idea of working together with children on hard tasks. Later on when they are bigger I have noticed that they will complete these tasks on their own and be proud to do so. that my opinion anyway.
you have precious children and you are raising them in the best place. well done!
**C
August 19th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Katy, your children are darling. I agree with Charlotte, working with them can be so much fun but sending them off to do it alone makes it a chore. Different children have different abilities and different interests. You may have one that is fascinated by looking for parasites in the microscope and another that enjoys bringing the hay or grain. You will never know which child is which if you “send them out.” As parents, we are supposed to help our children achieve their fullest potential whether that is on the farm or somewhere else. Mine is across the country, studying things I never dreamed of studying, but I am proud that I raised a child that can venture that far emotionally and physically.
I always figured it was our job to give him wings and teach him to fly. I don’t know how far he will go or if he will ever return permanently, but I do know he calls home, tweets us, and spends his free time with us when he can. He is living his life, sharing it with us, and we are terribly proud of him…