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Asking kids to help on the farm is a great way to show them they are needed.

September 12, 2016

3 Min Read

Editor’s note: From the monthly column, Homefront.

Kendra

I can still remember when, years ago, our youngest son told me with great passion and resolve, “We need another TV.” I also remember my reaction to his seemingly legitimate plea.

“We do not ‘need’ another TV. We need food and clothing and shelter. We don’t actually even ‘need’ the two television sets we already have!”

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It was immediately clear to him that I was not going to rush to the store and purchase that unneeded third television.  If the truth be known, we already had way too many other things we didn’t really need. (And I’m not including those two TVs I mentioned earlier.) Most of us don’t need more stuff, but everyone, young and old, needs to be needed.

John

This past summer provided a wonderful illustration of that fact. We had the fun of having four of our grandkids in and out for several weeks. They don’t live on a farm, so our time together is always packed with new experiences. Our grandson, almost 3, spent a great deal of time with me each morning and that was when he discovered I needed him to help with the chores.

Our chores aren’t extensive. They mainly consist of checking on the horses to be sure they have feed and water. On the first morning Caleb and I climbed into the truck and headed for the other farm where the horses are boarded. I introduced Caleb to SW and Duchess and did chores while he watched. On day two, I told him he was in charge of checking the water, and that just for today, I’d watch him do his work to see if he remembered what I’d done the day before. 

By the third day as he was finishing his breakfast he announced it was time for the two of us to go check the horses. We had a job to do and there was no reason to stick around the house.  I needed him and so did those horses.

Kendra

It’s harder to help young kids feel needed and find ways to work together when you live in the city. It’s not impossible; you just have to be a little more creative. John needed our three boys to help with jobs around the farm. They helped me in the house.

After dinner each evening the boys bussed their own dishes while I took care of clearing the rest of the things from the table. I needed and appreciated their help. We worked together and as is true in any example of teamwork, the job went smoother and typically we finished sooner.

John

Living on a farm does give you a wonderful opportunity to help your kids feel needed because in many instances they really are. Working with younger kids, however, does not necessarily make you more efficient. But when you look at the big picture, what do you want your kids or grandkids to remember?   

“I didn’t help either of my parents much but they got things done pretty quickly.”

Or…

“That summer, I thought Grandpa John couldn’t have gotten those horses watered without me. Now that I’m older I know that wasn’t really the case, but it sure was great to feel like I was his indispensable helper!”

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