Get your Children Interested in Traditional Skills Pt 1

Many families start homesteading because of their children—but once life gets busy, it’s easy to lose sight of that blessing. So how do we keep them involved and inspired?
In this episode of Simply Living Homestead, Amanda explores how to intentionally involve children in the traditional skills that define homesteading. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, there are age-appropriate ways to include them in gardening, food preservation, animal care, and more. Amanda also shares personal stories and practical advice on nurturing both capability and independence in your children, while remembering this: the homestead is your dream—not theirs.

Key Points:

• Why children are often the original inspiration for homesteading

• What traditional skills are and why they matter for family life

• Two guiding principles:

  • Give your children the freedom to fail (wisdom from Amanda’s dad, Farmer Dan)

  • This is your dream, not theirs (advice from homesteader John Ewing)

• How to avoid resentment and build healthy work habits in your kids

• Practical skills and expectations for kids ages 2–4:

  • Exposure, imitation, and sensory experiences

  • How small children bond through helping and doing

• Overview of five age-based lists for involving children (full breakdown continues in next episode)

Resources:

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