How hard is it to have a mini farm and a baby? That depends on the available help.
For me, it is becoming quite difficult.
I love the great outdoors and cleaning the poop of various animals just isn't a hardship for me. But how to do this with an infant?
When we decided to add another family member, I thought I had it all worked out. I could ride early in the am, as well as get some chores done, finishing up in the evening, when the hubby came home. The reality is quite different.
Khavien is as sweet as he can be, but as unpredictable in his moods and habits as any small child. I can't expect that he will be asleep early in the am. I can't expect him to nap when it is most convenient. I knew all this, but apparently wasn't as aware as I should have been. We're programmed to forget such things over time. Otherwise, we wouldn't do it but once. Maybe not a horrible idea...but I digress.
As for the hubby, he has a job. It's the same job he's had the past few years, but things seem to be stepping up. I'm grateful he's working for a growing company, especially in the current economy. But lately the job is keeping him from home quite a bit more than I expected. By the time he gets here, it's already too dark to do anything outside. He sleeps as late as possible in the mornings to make up for the rest he's losing at night. This does not make for easy critter care and enjoyment.
I could wear Khavien in a carrier, and I do, but that's tough when the ground's frozen. Also, it's difficult to work with a twelve pound child stuck to my front.
I could have his big sister watch him, and do, but only for brief periods. I'm a firm believer that a child should not be held responsible for another child. It isn't fair and it breeds resentment between siblings. I can't have that. Family First.
Where does that leave me? Scrambling to make use of the few available moments I have to feed and clean animals. It isn't enough. Rachel helps out a lot, albeit sometimes reluctantly. But she can't, for example, scoop the paddocks without supervision. Large animals are dangerous and I won't risk her being injured. We're not enjoying our mini farm nearly as much as we'd like, and I'm fighting to keep up the level of care for the critters.
I know it will get better. Before long, Khavien can ride on my back in the carrier. When the weather warms, he'll be able to sit and play in a playpen nearby while I care for animals and garden. Riding in the evening will be feasible with more daylight hours. But for now, I'm feeling hard pressed to keep up with the needs of our animals, not to mention the property.
Perhaps it's time for an update.
He's now almost four. We have goats we milk morning and evening, pigs to feed and fatten, ducks and geese and guineas, oh my, and yes, we still have the horses, and of course the rabbitry.
The garden still hasn't materialized, but slow and steady wins the race, right? Fencing comes first, and eventually we'll manage some greenhouses and aquaponics tanks.
The boy is now old enough to use the TV as a babysitter - yes, we know, but educational shows are pretty good these days. We also have memberships in a few good sites such as ABCmouse.com and Mimio.com, which have him practically reading.
There's the Kindle Fire with Plants vs. Zombies and Fruit Ninja on it, which could keep him quiet for hours, if we let him have it that long. He's able to hang out in the goat yard and play with rocks, sticks and a wooden sword and shield while cleaning is finished. Likewise, his sister is old enough to be responsible now and then, and though raising him isn't her job, we do try to make it worth her time when we need to ask her to help. All in all, when he isn't bringing his mom a book to read or chasing bubbles in the yard, there's stuff to keep him busy and happy while we get on with the work required.
My job has gotten better, so I'm not out all hours of daylight any more. I handle the morning milkings, and loading the hay to the cart, and whatever the Boss asks when I can, but she's still Foreman of the Farm. I just keep us in insurance.
The adventure continues. :)
