Goodness this past couple of weeks has flown.
Grant has just had a run of 7 days straight so things have been busy here. Bear also managed to rip his chest open badly in the bush when he and Tucker went to push back some wild dogs that have been eyeing off our goats. The wild dogs have been patrolling since the floods, perhaps the heavy rain washed away our dogs scent markers. Luckily, I could get him straight into the vets who stitched him up, inserted wound drains and put him antibiotics. He spent a couple of nights in by the Aga while he recovered. Poor fella, though he is doing quite well now.
A couple of months ago Grant started a new job in a farming/rural supplies shop. Soon after he was promoted to manager. The job has been a huge blessing. He's working within a big organisation with a good reputation which is managed by good honest people, the work is interesting and the organisation is well run with all the appropriate checks and balances in place as you would expect.
Finding good work on the MNC has proven to be far more difficult than we ever anticipated. He has done crap jobs for crap money, he's been treated badly, witnessed shonky behaviour and been ripped off. One place still owing him over 3k which we know we won't see. Prior to moving here, Grant has always been able to find decent work which he has enjoyed, and has always been considered a hard working and well respected employee. I cannot describe the relief we feel that he is back in such a place. It's the kind of organisation he hopes to be in for many years to come, and a place where he feels he can build a solid career.
However, he is out the door by 6:45am and isn't back until 6:30pm so as a family we are still adapting to a shift in routine. The boys have all stepped up to the plate and are doing a wonderful job of pulling their weight. Firstly, they are all responsible for keeping their own rooms clean which includes dusting, vacuuming and changing their linen though I will often help with the doona covers for the younger boys, as they can be tricky! I help with a deep clean/sort when necessary too. I'm not too fussed about how they keep their rooms, as long as they are cleaned a little mess in between is perfectly fine as their rooms are their space. They also each have a list of responsibilities suited to their age and interests. Some jobs will change seasonally and some will be added or adjusted as necessary.
The little boys bedroom after I helped them with a deep clean.
We believe a bit of work is good for children, and all people really. I am not a maid to tend to their every whim and need. They are capable little people in their own right and if they can't do something, the only way they will learn is by being taught and practising it. Living off-grid with simple systems in place is more complex and more time consuming then living in an ordinary house in the suburbs. As such we all need to pull our weight so we can have time to enjoy our days together too and not work all the time.
Henry (8yrs)
Feeding chickens/collecting eggs
emptying compost bin
stacking wood
clean porch weekly
Filling up the sawdust bin for the composting toilet
emptying compost bin
stacking wood
clean porch weekly
Filling up the sawdust bin for the composting toilet
Angus (10yrs)
emptying dishwasher
feeding cat
bring in/stack firewood inside
clean porch weekly
Bring in dry washing
emptying dishwasher
feeding cat
bring in/stack firewood inside
clean porch weekly
Bring in dry washing
Will (13yrs)
Feeding goats
feeding dogs
chopping wood
filling generator/managing water pump (If it needs doing when Grants not home)
sorting rubbish (with help)
Feeding goats
feeding dogs
chopping wood
filling generator/managing water pump (If it needs doing when Grants not home)
sorting rubbish (with help)
Mowing (with help)
Generally, The boys are pretty good at helping out. There is the odd protest of course but it's usually only when they are feeling tired/run down and we step in to help if that's the case. Pocket money and screen time are reliant on being a helpful and contributing part of the family and for us this generally works pretty well. Jobs are also part of an ongoing conversation. Sometimes the boys will swap jobs and that's fine, as long as the work gets done in a fair manner I'm not too fussed how they work it out between themselves.
We also expect them to look after their belongings and ours. If they wreck something through carelessness despite being reminded, then they need to either replace it with their own savings or contribute financially to the cost of replacing it. Recently someone left Grants drill out in the heavy rain after being told many times in the past to put the tools away when they were finished with them. The culprit has lost his pocket money for two months in order to contribute halves for a new drill. Another little someone kept leaving the lid off the chook feed bin despite many, many reminders and several batches of pellets being ruined until he had to contribute some of his own money to a new bag of pellets. I have recieved surprised looks when I have mentioned these things to people, but I believe it is fair and reasonable. We are working hard to counteract the mentality of living in a time where everything is considered disposable. I very much hope our children will grow up realising there is a cost to their choices. Financially, ethically and from an environmental viewpoint. Of course things get broken, wear out and accidents will happen, that is a part of life with children. We see that very differently from on going carelessness and a lack of regard for things. Generally the boys are pretty good at looking after things, it's a lesson they don't wish to learn too may times!
I feel like as I read back on this that people might think we are too tough on the kids but each family is different and each has different circumstances which is perfectly ok. We enjoy a wonderful life here together on the farm. That life takes work yes, but it involves such beauty and lovely times together that we all agree it's pretty special, and no one wants to live anywhere else.
Much love,
Emma
xx
