I loved this but my favourite tip was the last. I read a quote a few months ago that said “mom sets the tone” that really opened my eyes. I started noticing that if I was calm and relaxed, the children were the same. If I was irritable or frustrated it took no time at all for the kids to reflect that as well, mere moments! Ever since then I’ve tried to be much more mindful of the tone i was setting. If I really am struggling, stealing away for five minutes to another room to meditate and then think of things I’m grateful for - really helps. Mom sets the tone!
Yes, our emotions are transferable to others. Also how we respond to either good news or bad news also sets the tone of the house. Having a sense of peace about yourself translates to a sense of peace around others.
That is so true...I find if my 5 year old is emotional or crying about something, if I can be a little silly and stay calm it helps her to learn to relax!
When I was about nine years old we had an oil burning cookstove in the kitchen. Twice a year mom and I scrubbed the entire room from the ceiling to the floor. Then we turned out all the cupboards and scrubbed them inside and out before washing and waxing the floor (on our hands and knees). These were good times for both of us. We sang together as we worked and mom taught me to sing harmony. My dad and brothers loved it too because the house was filled with joy and music. How lovely those memories are more than seventy years later.
How I enjoyed this! I remember being a young mother feeling resentment for having such daily, repetitive, menial tasks. Then it occurred to me that I was blessing my then small family every day when I did these activities with love. Supporting my husband's work and raising well rounded children was truly a noble mission when I changed my attitude.
If all the new homeschoolers across this nation would just read aloud this series and use it as a springboard to many other avenues of adventure, their school year would be a blessed success.
We have "chore break" scheduled into our daily homeschool schedule. The children have 2-3 subjects, then we have a chore break where we play our favorite music and everyone breaks up to do their individual chores. Putting it on the schedule has worked tremendously! When it's on the schedule the children automatically do it without argument...it's part of the schedule! ;) Our house has shown the difference in our routine, and we are all enjoying it!
I REALLY want to read this series for myself and to my son. My husband grew up like this, his family grew up in the mountains where things were done the “old fashioned way”, water was boiled for showers and washing clothes, growing their own food and caring for their livestock. He knew what hunger was (sometimes frequently),when the crops didn’t give as planned or they couldn’t sell enough of their goods for food or supplies. My husband and mother in law have some of the absolute strongest work ethic I have ever witnessed;they have taught me so much. I am so very blessed and thankful they have come into my life and taught me all they know.
And now I find myself listening to the audio of these books. I’m 60 and have read them countless times but this has put them back into the forefront of my heart so here I go again! Thank you for this
I was homeschooled and our schedule was very similar to the Ingalls’ family. We always did chores before school. My mom read aloud to us every day from chapter books. Such fond memories. ❤️
My favorite part of home-schooling is reading aloud. The kids learn so much through the books, and it's so home-y. I like to buy snacks and drawing tablets for the kids to use while listening. My youngest kids are high-schoolers now, but I found a way to enjoy the books again by reading to the children we babysit. :)
Fun fact. My family is from the town where LIW wrote the books, (where she lived as an adult). My grandparents are buried literally feet away from where Laura and Alanzo are. We live 45 min from their home and museum and go frequently. My Aunt remembers singing Christmas carols outside her home ❤️
My in laws dont live too far either. We toured the house last year and was surprised to find that our cute little 1938 Sears and Roebak house is the smaller version that was built for Laura. So fun since I also grew up reading the books!
I read these over and over as a child, and then as an adult with my children. Farmer Boy and The Long Winter are my favorites. They are probably the most different, one is about feast and one about famine. I admire the two mothers' hard work and devotion, even though their lives were so different. When I was 9 my family was snowed in with no electricity for two weeks while my father was away working. I remember looking *up* at our dog as I walked the path my mom had dug to our burn barrel and our dog ran on top of the snow. My sister, Mom and I played Little House for that two weeks. I had to be good and patient like Mary, and my younger sister had to be spunky and brave like Laura. We melted snow for water (the well pump ran on electricity) and thanked God the propane tank was full for the gas stove. It's funny, we all have good memories of that winter. Any time we might lose the power during a storm or get a big snowfall I feel mildly excited and I think that's why. (In Michigan it must be a coping mechanism!) I'm looking forward to Farmer Boy, thank you, Jennifer!
I grew up in a third world country... Have an immense appreciation for my mother! No indoor plumbing, no washer/dryer, and btw no diapers for babies and no feminine hygiene products as well. All was washed entirely by hand, daily after the children were in bed. There were 6 of us in the family.. All 1-2 yrs apart.
I was listening to this while working on something and my 3 year old was whining at me and my 12 year old was complaining about cleaning something and I was getting so irritated and right on time you started talking about bad attitudes ruining the atmosphere. I took a break and gave them both some individual attention including hugs instead of yelling. It reset the whole household. Thank you for that. 😊
I gleaned so much from this, but also from the Little House Cookbook which has more than just recipes. It is chock full of wisdom and routine. I had heard that Rose Wilder Lane told her mother she should write books about her childhood because, "... children are so soft today." And that was in the WWII Era. We are much softer now.
I got home at 9:45 P.M hot, thirsty, hungry, tiered, so I decided to prepare something easy and quick for dinner, feta cheese with cucumbers tomatoes and hot peppers spread on flat bread and for drink, none alcoholic bear, And for entertainment I wanted to watch something on TH-cam so first thing your video comes up, enjoying my food and drink as a vegetarian, I was mostly listening than watching your video and it just downed on me that you are reading a story, Story of series that I grew up with and Laura was my favorite☺ as I was enjoying my food and listening to you, it reminded me of my child hood when my father read me stories and how much I loved his story telling time Drear Jeniffer you may not know this, even though you are a young lady, but you are mothering a lot of ladies that may never had good mothers who would spend time with their kids and teach them about life With Love From IRAN ❤
Last night I left the dinner dishes in the sink. I had a difficult physical therapy, was exhausted and went to bed early. Right now, at noon the next day, the dishes are soaking in hot soapy water. I'm moving slowly, but I will catch up and get back on track in the next day or so. Sometimes you just have to shift routines to fit the circumstances.
Laura doesn't talk in detail about what life was like when they all took sick and Mary went blind. But she does mention that the house was untidy when her aunt showed up unexpectedly. Even the Ingalls family had to shift with life's troubles.
The original DAWN dish detergent (without bleach) very good for pre-soaking & soaking overnite for pots & pans. Life comes first but order makes all easier.
Hi Jennifer, I am from the Philippines and had a very simple life growing up. I’ve never read the Little House on the Prairie books, but I grew up watching it on tv back in the 70’s. Melissa Gilbert who played Laura Ingalls and I are the same age, so you can just imagine how much inspiration I had drawn out of her character, plus of course my beloved mother’s wisdom that she had promulgated raising me up. I am now 57, married to a British man, mother of three children, and have lived in eight countries so far, and just loving life and being grateful for everything.🥰
We live in a converted cottage so we don't have a washer or dryer. I wash our clothes by hand in a galvanized tub with a wash board, I have a vintage wringer/mangle that I used to ring the clothes and I hang them out to dry. It's a lot of work but it's also peaceful and meditative.
Their daily and weekly routines remind me so much of the Fly Lady.. without routines, I honestly fall into a lazy trap and that’s a no win situation for me. Their food shortage is definitely something that we should all really look at seriously. Having a very well prepared pantry is so important, not just now, but going forward. Being smart about the staples you need in addition to a very well stocked freezer. Loved the lessons that you shared with us, so many takeaways.
More book chats in general would be great. I was sorry the Lucia and Mapp book club didn’t continue. I love seeing how different communities lived through fiction.
I was reared on a farm in lancaster county Pa. This is very close to how life is at my house today. Just add a lot of manners with a helping of class. ITS A GOOD LIFE😊😊😊 They lived a simple life. We are spoiled rotten. They had a great appreciation for life. I visited her home in Missouri. If anyone ever visits Missouri take the time and visit her home and take the tour.
This I enjoyed. Brought back memories. My third grade teacher would read a chapter of LIW books each day. We all loved that. Actually she taught all of us 3rd graders to knit and we would knit while she read!!! I purchased the books for my children and read to them. These stories were from a wonderful time. Life was different then and in some ways better. I home schooled my children and indeed we had schedules and routines. We also had fun. I am glad however, that I live today: indoor plumbing, central air, whole house heating, refrigerators, washers and driers, lots of windows and with screens, cars, grocery stores, telephones, computers, paved roads(mine needs help!!!), radios, music and lawn mowers etc. Thank you
I LOVE that you're promoting and encouraging homemaking... a nearly lost art. We're starting to see a return to this so important skill and it's so important to a comfortable, contented life. My mother was a lot like Mrs. Brewster, and it made for a very unhappy home. My goal was never to be like her. Thank you for creating these videos, Jennifer 😊
Wonderful video idea! Just needed to note that it would be negligent to not mention that they didn’t just have a positive attitude. They were people of faith. They were Bible educated and believed in the Word of God. Their attitudes and work ethic stemmed from their faith in God. Their genuine love for each other and their sense of purpose and joy is rooted in a biblical faith in Jesus and is the natural result of the Holy Spirit in them. The Bible calls these attitudes “fruits of the spirit”. They are the result of knowing the Lord in a deep sense not merely a choice of disposition.
We live in northern Wisconsin so we get real winters. Every several years I reread The Long Winter. But my rule is, I must wait until we have a bad snow storm. It helps set a cozy atmosphere and then as the book progresses a feeling of gratitude.
I loved this video! I would add #16: Everyone in the family took ownership in the household, and contributed to it. Jennifer, you are so ahead of where I was at your age, I am a little envious! Still, I have two wonderful, hard-working and responsible grown children, so I must’ve done something right! Every time I watch one of your videos, I spring into action in my home to get a chore accomplished with renewed vigor. Thanks for all you do. ❤️
What a lovely discussion, Jennifer! My 8 year old son zipped through this series as he really got a strong hold on reading. Now he reads them aloud to his younger siblings. My husband and I have learned quite a few things about homemaking and homesteading from the Wilders over the past few months!
I always thought I was slacking in that in didn’t start homeschooling directly after breakfast. 😄 We kind of fell into a natural routine of breakfast, morning chores, getting dressed for the day, music lessons, and then school. And I think I wear my apron most of the day-I do it to preserve my clothes, but I do try to take it off so that I feel like I’m not tied to the kitchen. 😆 I love how to show the BEAUTY in the tasks we must get done! ❤️ ....and YES - I’m so grateful for the technology of a laundry machine!!!!!
I really appreciate this video. Love this book series too. I have 3 young children who definitely could benefit from a happy cleaning momma. Tip for getting your kids to clean. 1. You have them watch you do a chore. 2. Then Have them join you in the chore. 3. Then watch them do the chore. 4. Lastly, leave them to it and check their work. Give plenty of praise. 💗
This is my second time listening to this video. Perfect timing because I don't feel well today. I got really sick at 3 in the morning. I'm feeling a little better so this video has helped me get myself somewhat presentable and dishes done.
I love the part in the books where Laura realizes her mom doesn't actually like sewing. She just assumed that since her mom did it for as long as she remembered, she liked it😂
Just found your channel and I’m loving it! I even ordered an apron! I’ve been a working mom for 8 years, and just quit my job to become a full time homemaker and homeschooler. Excited to fully embrace my new role! God bless!
Update: Watch the second installment on FARMER BOY here ➡️ th-cam.com/video/Oa110VYg4X0/w-d-xo.html Thank you for watching! Have you read this series? What are your thoughts? Time stamps are listed in the description box if you care to reference the video again. I can't recommend reading this series to your children enough. It will create memories that they (and you) will never forget! I hope this provides lots of homemaking motivation for you this week! Love, Jennifer
I read this series of books so many times as a youth. My 1st grandbaby was born a month ago and I purchased these book in preparation for her visiting grandma's house. I'm jumping the gun on her visits and reading but I hope to instill a love of reading and family and travel at a young age.
My favorite books to read over & over as a child and now my husband has read these to our children. My childhood was similar with daily & weekly chores and we do the same. In spite of their hard lives, this family was given to hospitality on a moments notice and this challenges me on many levels; Biblical hospitality is a command and I wish to work on this moving forward. Thanks for your poignant thoughts on this series, Jennifer! Julie 🌷
Thank you so much for this video. I have not read the entire series but Farmer Boy is my favorite. I think it is my favorite because I have three boys. I am so looking forward to that video. And yes, I think we will do our chores first from now on. Thank you again!💕
I have always loved this series and when I feel especially unstable and disoriented as a homemaker and mama, I tend to go back to this series and read them again more for myself than for my children. You’ve made a video that speaks to my heart. Thank you Jennifer!
I read the Little House On the Prairie books as a child and have read or listened to them as an adult. The audio books narrated by Cherry Jones are so soothing to listen to and even have fiddle music. I've always been impressed by how grateful the Ingells children were with so little for Christmas. I'm amazed at the skills of Almanzo's mother in Farmer Boy .Another children's book series I love is In Grandma's Attic. I'm looking forward to your next video!! Thank you Jennifer.
My mom used to read In Grandma's Attic to my sister and I when we were young, I just found the very worn copy at her house the other day! What a trip down memory lane❤️
I read-and loved all of the "Little House" books, as a girl. I loved the relationship Ma and Pa had with their children. Loving, instructive; simple, and engaging. Caring discipline and love.
I’m reminded of these quotes: “The only disability is a bad attitude.” “It’s not what you do, but how you do it.” And, “How you do one thing is how you do everything.”
This has been one of my favorite posts. Thank you for compiling these virtues, Jennifer. Ma Ingalls has always been an example of a Proverbs 31 woman to me. I'm inspired to read through the books again - even though I'm in my 50's! Simple living and godly values = joyful life!
Jennifer, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched this video (& the Farmer Boy one) 😂❤️ I just find it so inspiring, and soothing at the same time. I’ve watched these several times while doing the dishes or picking up around the house. I love the reminders of how tough and disciplined they were & how they kept things simple. Their lifestyle always encourages me towards contentment ❤️
I was hooked the moment I saw the thumbnail pic with the stack of Little House books. Great way to bring them into present day. Read them growing up, shared with my girls, now reading with my husband and look forward to sharing with my grandchildren (5 girls/1 boy).
This is how I raised my kids...I love Laura's life and how she admits that some chores were not their favorites, but they didn't give into their personal likes and dislikes. My little daughters wanted to live like that--they even called my husband "Pa" and named one of their baby dolls "Baby Carrie." I'm so glad you're sharing the wisdom of these marvelous books! XO
My second comment but after watching the whole video I also wanted to compliment you, Jennifer, on such a well researched and presented idea. Almost enough material for another book?!
This was an uplifting video! I never read the books as a child, my younger sister did and loved them. I remember watching the TV series with my two sisters and we couldn't wait for a new episode! My Mom would not watch it (a meticulous homemaker, albeit an angry one....) and I remember mentioning something about an episode to a "neighborhood Mom" and she said, "Oh, that sap!!!" Sigh. Another angry homemaker.....it was the times. 1970's.....women were told they weren't valuable "staying at home". What a terrible lie and set the course for unrest and discord in our homes. Just my opinion, of course, but honestly.....look around. We're a mess. Thank you for sharing. You're a treasure!!! XO
I remember the 50's and how shiny the floors were and the smell of clean sheets off the line...the big breakfasts my mom made everyday. The fun of playing with friends and the home smell when we ate dinner everyday at the same time. Then I married in 70's. I heard that women were slaves to men and not to cook and clean, so I got a job. The house was always a mess. Men were no longer honored anymore. We both worked so we were both equal.I wanted to be a free woman, so I became one.Then came retirement. Suddenly, no husband, just an empty house. No laughter, no chores to do. just empty inside and out. No man was good enough for me. So I am all alone. My daughters love their Dad and his wife who cares for him and their home, so they spend time with him, rather than me. I was selfish and they aren't interested in me. They care for the clean house, sweet home smells, time with family, so they chose Dad. They rarely even talk to me.
Thank you, Jennifer, for gleaning out the relevant day to day issues of these stories and bringing them to us. Your synopsis provides evidence of the legacy and importance of Home keeping. I never read the Little House on The Prairie books myself but was fortunate to have a teacher who would read them to our class to calm us after lunch time recess. She was older and would occasionally pause during the story and tell us about a house keeping task she was assigned as a youngster and her recollection dovetailed somewhat with the Ingalls daily life. Thank you again for sharing this!
I love this video sooo much! Everything is so true and a great reminder for us from the past. My dad read these books to my sister and I when we were little. It was a favorite part of my childhood and something I'll never forget. My dad has been gone for 18 years now, but I'll always remember those times. Thank you so much for this. One of my favorite videos ever. 💗💗
As a woman who has been married for a few years, with little prior knowledge in homemaking, I am having to learn how to be the chief operating officer of our home. You are a joy to watch because of your pleasant and kind demeanor, and your savviness in running a home. Thank you for all of your helpful tips, your family is blessed to have you! God bless you
This makes me think about our former library director, Kathryn, a wonderful lady. When she was in hospice, she wanted this series read to her. These were the last words she wished to hear. I love this series, myself. My mother read it to me, and then I read it on my own. ❤
Loved this video especially the last tip about having a positive attitude. I’m not a homemaker yet in terms of taking care of a home with children/ husband (soon come!) but I am a small business owner of a store. Watching this video, I had a revelation that owning and taking care of a store is just like being a homemaker! There a lot of tasks and chores that might be unpleasant. Employees that are just as needy as children. Business partners whom my relationship with must be tended to like a marriage. All the while, I must have a positive outlook and set the pace for the store. This really inspired me to take a homemaking approach to my business. To be grateful, to find joy in the mundane, to ask for help when needed and to work arduously but with a pleasant and joyful attitude! At last, the Bible does say to “Roll your works upon the Lord!” Proverbs 16:3. This means to me that I should work while practicing the fruits of the spirit. Work while maintaining love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control!
The thing i remember from the books is the litle figurine on a corner shelve. They moved a lot but when mother put the figurine in place this was their home. What a lot of stuff we own!! Too much clutter especially when you only need one figurine of a little dancing girl to make a home! Never forgot this " lesson"
I often have thought of Ma’s woman figurine as a symbol of minimalism. The Ingalls had so few possessions, each item they owned was cherished , some only taken out at special occasions.
Have you read “The Wilder Life” by Wendy McClure. Very interesting for a Laura Ingalls fan! And the book “Little House in the Ozarks” is a compilation of the newspaper columns she wrote after she and Almanzo moved to Mansfield, MO.
Thank you! I absolutely love this. That’s the thing I always loved most about the Little House books. Laura described the most ordinary things with such reverence.
I can not imagine how difficult it would have been to do basic things like laundry. We take so much for granted. I have been playing the old Little House on the Prairie episodes for my 8 year old to watch. It is eye opening for her. Thank you for post. I am going to pick up the books to read with her also.
I still adore the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder at age 60! There is so much wisdom in these books. About once every decade or so, I re-read them (the Garth Williams illustrated versions) and get new things from them. They are also so calming after a stressful day.
Routines definitely frame our days. I think there is so many benefits to getting the housework done 1st. We love this series and gain so much wisdom from it. Thank you for taking the time to share these lessons🌹
We're huge fans of Little House. There is so much to be learned from the stories- hard work, homemaking, pursuing dreams, loving others... Theyre classics for a good many reasons. Great vlog!
Thank you so much for this video. It was an absolute breath of fresh air and inspiration. I am a mom of four and I work part time, many times I struggle to have a positive attitude especially when others are not helping as much as I would like. I always loved a clean and organized home, but as I am getting older I am realizing just how important homemaking is for our children and our families.
Reading the the LIW Series as a young girl is what cemented my deeply rooted goals of having a homestead. I now have a homestead and recently revisited the books to help me figure out what I had gotten myself into! And to motivate. It was indeed like revisiting with an old friend. Of course reading it with my "adult eyes and insight" I had to pause several times to consider the impact of settlers on indigenous peoples and some of the norms and beliefs of that time. I still am able to enjoy the stories though and they help me step into seasonal living and a sustainable lifestyle. Thanks for posting this and take care Jennifer ~Peace
This is all new to me! I'm loving it!. This is the first day I heard of Laura Ingalls, as I am still trying to catch up with American Culture. My husband jokingly refers to me as "Little House on the Prairie" every so often if I read the weather by observing the sky or call out remedies for the common illnesses, peel an orange with a large sharp knife without breaking the peel, and other silly things. I was so stunned that my mother who only went to school for 3 years in the 1940 in Brazil had all the good knowledge from these books. Her routine was as described in the books and I'm sure she's never read them. Hearing about the stories is like reading her story and reliving part of my early childhood. So sweet! And when I was a kid, my dad would arrive from a long trip with a red apple as a gift. It would be wrapped in very soft purple tissue. I would hold and smell that apple for at least a week before having the courage to bite into it. How rich were our lives? It's unthinkable... So sweet and tender memories...
Thank you for making this video. You have really inspired me to buy and read the book to my 5 year old son. My son and I are on our own, but I really do enjoy trying to make a good, happy home-life, and he really does appreciate it. Your video made me realise that I could take so much more pleasure and pride in doing the mundane things in the home and garden, and to try and share that pleasure with my son would be a gift. During lockdown we have decided to try to grow our food and me more self sufficient. Your video reminded me so much of my own grandmother who had a beautiful attitude to life and really appreciated everything around her. Thank you, Ruth, from Cornwall, England.
I love the Little House books. It makes me feel warm and cozy just thinking about them. 🙂 I loved how the family treated each other with love and respect, and the strong values that were part of their lives. They taught me that a family could accomplish and withstand anything together! ♥️
This was a really nice video. I read those books to my children, but never connected with this aspect of them. Thank you!! I do believe this series is going to be on my reading list for fall.
Always loved the book series. You’ve encouraged me to read them again. On a family vacation out to Mt. Rushmore I made my family take a major detour to visit one of her homesteads. It wasn’t much to look at (I think there are better ones) but I enjoyed the experience so much. Great tips!!
The homestead in DeSmet South Dakota is one of the best sites. Visitor's center, the original cottonwoods, a school, and several other buildings and activities. The best part was on the way back from Yellowstone we stopped there and spent the night in a covered wagon on the Ingalls homestead. One of the best nights ever! Plus there are quite a few sites in town like the the Ingalls last house and the Surveyor's House. The Walnut Grove site doesn't have much to see out at the home site, but the museum in town is cute.
Queen Of Putrescence I wish I could remember which site we went to. I honestly don’t know if it was in South Dakota. I’ll have to look up those two places. That overnight in a covered wagon sounds awesome!! Thank you for giving me this info.
My parents loved these books and living in Missouri went to Mansfield to see their home! Thanks for sharing, brings back many happy times of my parents and how I was raised and yes Im grateful for technology...as in a washer and dryer. Your channel is a blessing to me!
This was so beautiful to listen to Jennifer!!! Made me think of my younger years with my mum and the chores we had, and lovely homemade cooking.... we came away from proper family life, the world is so noisy and buzzing.... was a joy to unwind to before bed and made us see what is so important... happy family life and true values and having a strong faith in our Wonderful creator and God.... looking forward to more 😃... thankyou 🌷
Oh I loved this video so much, it was so cozy. These are things you always talk about, things we know, but listening to you talk about them from their perspective, and the book quotes made it so different and nice. I can't wait for the next video of this series.
I love love love this! What a beautiful way to have us walk back down memory lane of reading LIW growing up but also connecting those passages of childhood to adulting - genius!
I love these books! I’m now reading the first or to my kids as my mother did to me. One thing I realized as i was watching this video is that Ma had three girls to help with all the work. I, as a child, was very much a help for my mother, like Laura was for her mother. When Laura grows up and has all of the responsibilities on her own shoulders it becomes a very different task. I experienced a very discouraging time in my life when I first got married and all of the homemaking was on my shoulders. I felt overwhelmed all the time because I had no help. And when we adopted little kids things became so much more overwhelming. Now the kids are older and taking on more chores and dressing themselves, my burden has felt so much lighter! I feel like a better mom and homemaker. My attitude toward homemaking is also better. It’s a team-work atmosphere and not a run-myself-to-the-ragged-end-to-get-everything-done atmosphere. Sometimes having some help is all that a homemaker needs.
Growing up, my home was not always the safe, happy place one hopes for BUT the Little House books gave me hope that one day I might be able to find a better way. I dreamed of being Ma to to my own kids. I looked for and met and married a wonderful godly man, resilient, cheerful, hardworking, and devoted to our family. He's been a brilliant Pa for 23 years (even chopping and bringing home wood for our iron stove every year). We may not have quite lived up to the idealism of my nine-year-old self, but my husband and I have a strong marriage and our now grown kids have made us so proud. We homeschooled for 12 years, and you can bet the Little House series was a big influence. I still listen to the audiobooks when I knit or stitch, and I still glean wisdom and comfort from Ma, my hero. I love how you were inspired in your homemaking. I need to listen again with an ear for these tips myself! I never quite lived up to Ma's tireless, cheerful work ethic and self discipline, that's for sure.
Thank you for reminding me of the joy of these books! I often wished that I lived in "the olden days" when I was growing up and my best friend and I loved playing that we did. It's true, I think it was the atmosphere of hardworking and togetherness that made it seem so appealing, even to a child, despite the hard work involved. Your videos inspire me to cultivate that spirit again now that I have a home of my own.
You have no idea how precious this video is. I never have anyone else to discuss the Little House books with. You noticed all the things I did. I wish you would do a chapter by chapter little video for the series.
My fav is Farmer Boy, about her husband Almanzo's childhood. They ate like Thanksgiving everyday. They had a variety of vegetables and deserts everyday. They worked the farm and had a lot.
I thought about The Long Winter and referenced that to my daughters so often during our time with the stay at home orders. Such an amazing book. I love this posting. 😊
Thank you for thinking through this and thoughtfully giving excerpts. Reading through the series aloud with my children last year was a surprising boost to my homemaking. The stories encourage me to be faithful and joyful in the seemingly small things. The last excerpt about Laura hating the farm made me cry just now. Having come through 2 years of suffering, I am comforted to hear another woman facing the heaviness of tragedy. Another children's series that illuminates homemaking and mothering is Anne of Green Gables.
My favourite topic thank you for your review! In the evenings when my children were younger I read the series to them. Thankfully we had no television just a radio at the time.It started out with just my youngest, but by the time the first book was read the rest of them had joined the "party"! My family went primitive camping near the end of the series and to my great surprise my oldest two sons 15 and 14 had packed the books and asked me to continue our evening routine. You could have knocked me over with a feather, alas I did continue and read by firelight all week! This is one of my happiest memories of being a mum!
I thoroughly enjoyed that. Wonderfully presented. I am now going to change my attitude towards chores and become more positive and grateful. As you said, if you have to do them anyway why not be cheerful about it. This pioneer family are such an inspiration. I thought of my amazing grandmother who though she worked so hard all her life had a sweet smile for everyone. She never complained even when faced with incredible hardship. As a society I feel we have become ungrateful and soft. Maybe one positive result of this pandemic will be that we become more self sufficient and more appreciative of what we have. Thank you for this video. Subscribed.
I just started reading the series with my girls. I never read them as a child. It already has brought me so much joy. I can’t imagine how it is for little ears. I appreciate this video. Everything you do seems to be so far above the modern standard. Thank you.
I enjoyed this video very much. It’s helped me to appreciate all that’s been entrusted to me and begin to enjoy taking care of my home more often. Thank you for sharing. 😊
I loved this but my favourite tip was the last. I read a quote a few months ago that said “mom sets the tone” that really opened my eyes. I started noticing that if I was calm and relaxed, the children were the same. If I was irritable or frustrated it took no time at all for the kids to reflect that as well, mere moments! Ever since then I’ve tried to be much more mindful of the tone i was setting. If I really am struggling, stealing away for five minutes to another room to meditate and then think of things I’m grateful for - really helps. Mom sets the tone!
Yes, our emotions are transferable to others. Also how we respond to either good news or bad news also sets the tone of the house.
Having a sense of peace about yourself translates to a sense of peace around others.
That is so true...I find if my 5 year old is emotional or crying about something, if I can be a little silly and stay calm it helps her to learn to relax!
@@fuyopon many rather; overcome. May you find Love.
When I was about nine years old we had an oil burning cookstove in the kitchen. Twice a year mom and I scrubbed the entire room from the ceiling to the floor. Then we turned out all the cupboards and scrubbed them inside and out before washing and waxing the floor (on our hands and knees). These were good times for both of us. We sang together as we worked and mom taught me to sing harmony. My dad and brothers loved it too because the house was filled with joy and music. How lovely those memories are more than seventy years later.
That is truly beautiful!❤️
What a beautiful memory!
Sounds wonderful.
This is soo comforting! Blessings!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Diane.
You brought tears to my eyes.
All the best from Canada 🇨🇦
How I enjoyed this! I remember being a young mother feeling resentment for having such daily, repetitive, menial tasks. Then it occurred to me that I was blessing my then small family every day when I did these activities with love. Supporting my husband's work and raising well rounded children was truly a noble mission when I changed my attitude.
If all the new homeschoolers across this nation would just read aloud this series and use it as a springboard to many other avenues of adventure, their school year would be a blessed success.
You are so so right.
Agree!
Our children are now grown,, but my husband read aloud this series every winter. Special memories.
Yes! So true!
Peace Pocket Mama omg yes!
We have "chore break" scheduled into our daily homeschool schedule. The children have 2-3 subjects, then we have a chore break where we play our favorite music and everyone breaks up to do their individual chores. Putting it on the schedule has worked tremendously! When it's on the schedule the children automatically do it without argument...it's part of the schedule! ;) Our house has shown the difference in our routine, and we are all enjoying it!
I REALLY want to read this series for myself and to my son. My husband grew up like this, his family grew up in the mountains where things were done the “old fashioned way”, water was boiled for showers and washing clothes, growing their own food and caring for their livestock. He knew what hunger was (sometimes frequently),when the crops didn’t give as planned or they couldn’t sell enough of their goods for food or supplies. My husband and mother in law have some of the absolute strongest work ethic I have ever witnessed;they have taught me so much. I am so very blessed and thankful they have come into my life and taught me all they know.
And now I find myself listening to the audio of these books. I’m 60 and have read them countless times but this has put them back into the forefront of my heart so here I go again!
Thank you for this
I was homeschooled and our schedule was very similar to the Ingalls’ family. We always did chores before school. My mom read aloud to us every day from chapter books. Such fond memories. ❤️
Love that those were good memories for you!
My favorite part of home-schooling is reading aloud. The kids learn so much through the books, and it's so home-y. I like to buy snacks and drawing tablets for the kids to use while listening.
My youngest kids are high-schoolers now, but I found a way to enjoy the books again by reading to the children we babysit. :)
Fun fact. My family is from the town where LIW wrote the books, (where she lived as an adult). My grandparents are buried literally feet away from where Laura and Alanzo are. We live 45 min from their home and museum and go frequently. My Aunt remembers singing Christmas carols outside her home ❤️
So neat!
We visited the museum years ago when we took a 2 week trip to see all of Laura’s homes. I was so emotional walking up to that house and museum! ❤️
That’s awesome!
My in laws dont live too far either. We toured the house last year and was surprised to find that our cute little 1938 Sears and Roebak house is the smaller version that was built for Laura. So fun since I also grew up reading the books!
BreeSB my daughter and I love that little house, we both say we could move right in there 😂. Hope you enjoyed our little part of Missouri ❤️
I read these over and over as a child, and then as an adult with my children. Farmer Boy and The Long Winter are my favorites. They are probably the most different, one is about feast and one about famine. I admire the two mothers' hard work and devotion, even though their lives were so different. When I was 9 my family was snowed in with no electricity for two weeks while my father was away working. I remember looking *up* at our dog as I walked the path my mom had dug to our burn barrel and our dog ran on top of the snow. My sister, Mom and I played Little House for that two weeks. I had to be good and patient like Mary, and my younger sister had to be spunky and brave like Laura. We melted snow for water (the well pump ran on electricity) and thanked God the propane tank was full for the gas stove. It's funny, we all have good memories of that winter. Any time we might lose the power during a storm or get a big snowfall I feel mildly excited and I think that's why. (In Michigan it must be a coping mechanism!) I'm looking forward to Farmer Boy, thank you, Jennifer!
Thank you, Kristyn! Feast and famine... that is a good assessment of the two books! And could be why I liked Farmer Boy best, haha
I am from Michigan too but live in PA now and I also get excited whenever its going to snow, lol. Pioneering spirit I guess :)
Those are my favorite too,,,I am 64 and read them to my sons❤️❤️❤️
What beautiful childhoods.
@@dalenehoman5733 Grandchildren?
I grew up in a third world country... Have an immense appreciation for my mother! No indoor plumbing, no washer/dryer, and btw no diapers for babies and no feminine hygiene products as well. All was washed entirely by hand, daily after the children were in bed. There were 6 of us in the family.. All 1-2 yrs apart.
Your mother sounds amazing! I bet you have a lot of wisdom from her.
Wow! Truly impressive!💕
I was listening to this while working on something and my 3 year old was whining at me and my 12 year old was complaining about cleaning something and I was getting so irritated and right on time you started talking about bad attitudes ruining the atmosphere. I took a break and gave them both some individual attention including hugs instead of yelling. It reset the whole household. Thank you for that. 😊
Many of these are characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman :) Thank you, Jennifer for always uplifting and encouraging the beauty of home life
Good point!❤️
I gleaned so much from this, but also from the Little House Cookbook which has more than just recipes. It is chock full of wisdom and routine. I had heard that Rose Wilder Lane told her mother she should write books about her childhood because, "... children are so soft today." And that was in the WWII Era. We are much softer now.
I grew up handwashing clothes using washboard, line drying outside, and yes freeze drying clothes. I appreciate my washer and dryer.
I bet you do!
Me too!
I also grew up hand-washing and freeze drying clothes at times even though I'm only 39. I appreciate our washer and dryer so so much.
Me too 😃
Yes I experienced this as well so thankful for our conveniences today.
I got home at 9:45 P.M hot, thirsty, hungry, tiered, so I decided to prepare something easy and quick for dinner, feta cheese with cucumbers tomatoes and hot peppers spread on flat bread and for drink, none alcoholic bear,
And for entertainment I wanted to watch something on TH-cam so first thing your video comes up, enjoying my food and drink as a vegetarian, I was mostly listening than watching your video and it just downed on me that you are reading a story,
Story of series that I grew up with and Laura was my favorite☺ as I was enjoying my food and listening to you, it reminded me of my child hood when my father read me stories and how much I loved his story telling time
Drear Jeniffer you may not know this, even though you are a young lady, but you are mothering a lot of ladies that may never had good mothers who would spend time with their kids and teach them about life
With Love From IRAN ❤
What a beautiful sentiment.
Best wishes from Australia 🇦🇺
@@larag1764
Thank you dear Lara
I agree! Good point...Jennifer provides a bit of motherly guidance, even to people older than her (like me!). : )
@@christinek9011
☺🌼
She has a lot of wisdom and God is using her to bless ladies with different ages
She sure is♥️🙏
Last night I left the dinner dishes in the sink. I had a difficult physical therapy, was exhausted and went to bed early. Right now, at noon the next day, the dishes are soaking in hot soapy water. I'm moving slowly, but I will catch up and get back on track in the next day or so. Sometimes you just have to shift routines to fit the circumstances.
Laura doesn't talk in detail about what life was like when they all took sick and Mary went blind. But she does mention that the house was untidy when her aunt showed up unexpectedly. Even the Ingalls family had to shift with life's troubles.
The original DAWN dish detergent (without bleach) very good for pre-soaking & soaking overnite for pots & pans. Life comes first but order makes all easier.
Hi Jennifer, I am from the Philippines and had a very simple life growing up. I’ve never read the Little House on the Prairie books, but I grew up watching it on tv back in the 70’s. Melissa Gilbert who played Laura Ingalls and I are the same age, so you can just imagine how much inspiration I had drawn out of her character, plus of course my beloved mother’s wisdom that she had promulgated raising me up. I am now 57, married to a British man, mother of three children, and have lived in eight countries so far, and just loving life and being grateful for everything.🥰
We live in a converted cottage so we don't have a washer or dryer. I wash our clothes by hand in a galvanized tub with a wash board, I have a vintage wringer/mangle that I used to ring the clothes and I hang them out to dry.
It's a lot of work but it's also peaceful and meditative.
May I come visit and have some tea? This sounds wonderful!
@@txspacemom765 me too please, that sounds wonderful. ❤
Their daily and weekly routines remind me so much of the Fly Lady.. without routines, I honestly fall into a lazy trap and that’s a no win situation for me. Their food shortage is definitely something that we should all really look at seriously. Having a very well prepared pantry is so important, not just now, but going forward. Being smart about the staples you need in addition to a very well stocked freezer. Loved the lessons that you shared with us, so many takeaways.
I would really enjoy you talking through Anne of Green Gables series ❤️
eliswiat Yes, I was just thinking the same thing!
More book chats in general would be great. I was sorry the Lucia and Mapp book club didn’t continue. I love seeing how different communities lived through fiction.
I'm pregnant and on the last book in the Anne series. Children's books series: my anti-drug!
@@autismenlightenment In case you didn't know the "sort of last one" in the series is "The Blythes are Quoted", not the "Rilla from Ingleside" :)
@@eliswiat thanks I just went and downloaded it!
I was reared on a farm in lancaster county Pa. This is very close to how life is at my house today. Just add a lot of manners with a helping of class.
ITS A GOOD LIFE😊😊😊
They lived a simple life.
We are spoiled rotten.
They had a great appreciation for life.
I visited her home in Missouri. If anyone ever visits Missouri take the time and visit her home and take the tour.
I would Loe to visit her home in Missouri one day!
I live in Pa only an hour or so away from Lancaster. I always love seeing the farmers working on their land. Thank you for your work on the farms :)
@@homemakerandglamour29victo29 T.Y. for your thoughtfulness. It is greatly appreciated😊💙
This I enjoyed. Brought back memories. My third grade teacher would read a chapter of LIW books each day. We all loved that. Actually she taught all of us 3rd graders to knit and we would knit while she read!!! I purchased the books for my children and read to them. These stories were from a wonderful time. Life was different then and in some ways better. I home schooled my children and indeed we had schedules and routines. We also had fun. I am glad however, that I live today: indoor plumbing, central air, whole house heating, refrigerators, washers and driers, lots of windows and with screens, cars, grocery stores, telephones, computers, paved roads(mine needs help!!!), radios, music and lawn mowers etc. Thank you
I LOVE that you're promoting and encouraging homemaking... a nearly lost art. We're starting to see a return to this so important skill and it's so important to a comfortable, contented life. My mother was a lot like Mrs. Brewster, and it made for a very unhappy home. My goal was never to be like her. Thank you for creating these videos, Jennifer 😊
You explain and bridge things together like I’ve never experienced before. I’m forever grateful for you. Bless you.
Wonderful video idea! Just needed to note that it would be negligent to not mention that they didn’t just have a positive attitude. They were people of faith. They were Bible educated and believed in the Word of God. Their attitudes and work ethic stemmed from their faith in God. Their genuine love for each other and their sense of purpose and joy is rooted in a biblical faith in Jesus and is the natural result of the Holy Spirit in them. The Bible calls these attitudes “fruits of the spirit”. They are the result of knowing the Lord in a deep sense not merely a choice of disposition.
Yes! The fruit of the Spirit!
Thank you for this, I was just going to sit down and post the exact same thing. Thank you for not being ashamed of the name of Jesus.
This is why I fell in love with LIW!!
yes I agree with you.The bible had a big part in their life style. It set the tone for their simple life.
Modest Makeover that’s the first thought that came to my mind, you put it very well!
We live in northern Wisconsin so we get real winters. Every several years I reread The Long Winter. But my rule is, I must wait until we have a bad snow storm. It helps set a cozy atmosphere and then as the book progresses a feeling of gratitude.
W live in SE WI, but o choose to read it to the boys in summer...just for the irony. It's my favorite of the series. 😊❄
"Set the table Laura- mom said QUIETLY....(boy do I struggle sometimes with the quietly part ).
Thank you Jennifer for another wonderful video:-)
Me too :)
Yes! I reread the series as an adult identifying with Ma instead of Laura... high standards! It was very inspiring 💙
Good catch.
It's easier to be quiet when giving instructions when the recipient is listening and quiet too 😃
I loved this video! I would add #16: Everyone in the family took ownership in the household, and contributed to it. Jennifer, you are so ahead of where I was at your age, I am a little envious! Still, I have two wonderful, hard-working and responsible grown children, so I must’ve done something right! Every time I watch one of your videos, I spring into action in my home to get a chore accomplished with renewed vigor. Thanks for all you do. ❤️
Thank you, Lori!
What a lovely discussion, Jennifer! My 8 year old son zipped through this series as he really got a strong hold on reading. Now he reads them aloud to his younger siblings. My husband and I have learned quite a few things about homemaking and homesteading from the Wilders over the past few months!
As a Brit I’ve never really had Little House on the Prairie in my consciousness but now I’m keen to read them!
You will enjoy them.
They are wonderful!
I always thought I was slacking in that in didn’t start homeschooling directly after breakfast. 😄 We kind of fell into a natural routine of breakfast, morning chores, getting dressed for the day, music lessons, and then school. And I think I wear my apron most of the day-I do it to preserve my clothes, but I do try to take it off so that I feel like I’m not tied to the kitchen. 😆 I love how to show the BEAUTY in the tasks we must get done! ❤️ ....and YES - I’m so grateful for the technology of a laundry machine!!!!!
I really appreciate this video. Love this book series too. I have 3 young children who definitely could benefit from a happy cleaning momma. Tip for getting your kids to clean. 1. You have them watch you do a chore. 2. Then Have them join you in the chore. 3. Then watch them do the chore. 4. Lastly, leave them to it and check their work. Give plenty of praise. 💗
During this whole covidthing I have watched an episode of Little house on the prairie every day with my youngest son😊
This is my second time listening to this video. Perfect timing because I don't feel well today. I got really sick at 3 in the morning. I'm feeling a little better so this video has helped me get myself somewhat presentable and dishes done.
I love the part in the books where Laura realizes her mom doesn't actually like sewing. She just assumed that since her mom did it for as long as she remembered, she liked it😂
Just found your channel and I’m loving it! I even ordered an apron!
I’ve been a working mom for 8 years, and just quit my job to become a full time homemaker and homeschooler. Excited to fully embrace my new role! God bless!
It will be wonderful.
Update: Watch the second installment on FARMER BOY here ➡️ th-cam.com/video/Oa110VYg4X0/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for watching! Have you read this series? What are your thoughts? Time stamps are listed in the description box if you care to reference the video again. I can't recommend reading this series to your children enough. It will create memories that they (and you) will never forget! I hope this provides lots of homemaking motivation for you this week! Love, Jennifer
I think I want to read this series, it sounds so wonderful and how lovely that you read it to your daughter. I would love to do the same one day 😊
I read this series of books so many times as a youth. My 1st grandbaby was born a month ago and I purchased these book in preparation for her visiting grandma's house. I'm jumping the gun on her visits and reading but I hope to instill a love of reading and family and travel at a young age.
My favorite books to read over & over as a child and now my husband has read these to our children. My childhood was similar with daily & weekly chores and we do the same. In spite of their hard lives, this family was given to hospitality on a moments notice and this challenges me on many levels; Biblical hospitality is a command and I wish to work on this moving forward. Thanks for your poignant thoughts on this series, Jennifer! Julie 🌷
Thank you so much for this video. I have not read the entire series but Farmer Boy is my favorite. I think it is my favorite because I have three boys. I am so looking forward to that video. And yes, I think we will do our chores first from now on. Thank you again!💕
I have always loved this series and when I feel especially unstable and disoriented as a homemaker and mama, I tend to go back to this series and read them again more for myself than for my children. You’ve made a video that speaks to my heart. Thank you Jennifer!
I read the Little House On the Prairie books as a child and have read or listened to them as an adult. The audio books narrated by Cherry Jones are so soothing to listen to and even have fiddle music. I've always been impressed by how grateful the Ingells children were with so little for Christmas. I'm amazed at the skills of Almanzo's mother in Farmer Boy .Another children's book series I love is In Grandma's Attic. I'm looking forward to your next video!! Thank you Jennifer.
My mom used to read In Grandma's Attic to my sister and I when we were young, I just found the very worn copy at her house the other day! What a trip down memory lane❤️
I read-and loved all of the "Little House" books, as a girl.
I loved the relationship Ma and Pa had with their children. Loving, instructive; simple, and engaging. Caring discipline and love.
I’m reminded of these quotes:
“The only disability is a bad attitude.”
“It’s not what you do, but how you do it.”
And,
“How you do one thing is how you do everything.”
This series is very dear to my heart, I read it many times as a girl. ❤ I always wanted to be a mom like Caroline.
This has been one of my favorite posts. Thank you for compiling these virtues, Jennifer. Ma Ingalls has always been an example of a Proverbs 31 woman to me. I'm inspired to read through the books again - even though I'm in my 50's! Simple living and godly values = joyful life!
Jennifer, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched this video (& the Farmer Boy one) 😂❤️ I just find it so inspiring, and soothing at the same time. I’ve watched these several times while doing the dishes or picking up around the house. I love the reminders of how tough and disciplined they were & how they kept things simple. Their lifestyle always encourages me towards contentment ❤️
I was hooked the moment I saw the thumbnail pic with the stack of Little House books. Great way to bring them into present day. Read them growing up, shared with my girls, now reading with my husband and look forward to sharing with my grandchildren (5 girls/1 boy).
This is how I raised my kids...I love Laura's life and how she admits that some chores were not their favorites, but they didn't give into their personal likes and dislikes. My little daughters wanted to live like that--they even called my husband "Pa" and named one of their baby dolls "Baby Carrie." I'm so glad you're sharing the wisdom of these marvelous books! XO
Thank you for teaching the younger women to love their children, their husbands, and guide the home!
My second comment but after watching the whole video I also wanted to compliment you, Jennifer, on such a well researched and presented idea. Almost enough material for another book?!
Heather, those were my thoughts exactly--material for another book!
Sitting at home sewing and listening to you this afternoon it was a total pleasure thank you xx Karen UK
This was an uplifting video! I never read the books as a child, my younger sister did and loved them. I remember watching the TV series with my two sisters and we couldn't wait for a new episode! My Mom would not watch it (a meticulous homemaker, albeit an angry one....) and I remember mentioning something about an episode to a "neighborhood Mom" and she said, "Oh, that sap!!!" Sigh. Another angry homemaker.....it was the times. 1970's.....women were told they weren't valuable "staying at home". What a terrible lie and set the course for unrest and discord in our homes. Just my opinion, of course, but honestly.....look around. We're a mess. Thank you for sharing. You're a treasure!!! XO
I remember the 50's and how shiny the floors were and the smell of clean sheets off the line...the big breakfasts my mom made everyday. The fun of playing with friends and the home smell when we ate dinner everyday at the same time. Then I married in 70's. I heard that women were slaves to men and not to cook and clean, so I got a job. The house was always a mess. Men were no longer honored anymore. We both worked so we were both equal.I wanted to be a free woman, so I became one.Then came retirement. Suddenly, no husband, just an empty house. No laughter, no chores to do. just empty inside and out. No man was good enough for me. So I am all alone. My daughters love their Dad and his wife who cares for him and their home, so they spend time with him, rather than me. I was selfish and they aren't interested in me. They care for the clean house, sweet home smells, time with family, so they chose Dad. They rarely even talk to me.
How thoughtful you are to share these excerpts. You are very graceful😊
This is so inspiring! I actually have not yet read the Little House series, but it is now on my reading list! Thank you so much for all that you do.
Thank you, Jennifer, for gleaning out the relevant day to day issues of these stories and bringing them to us. Your synopsis provides evidence of the legacy and importance of Home keeping. I never read the Little House on The Prairie books myself but was fortunate to have a teacher who would read them to our class to calm us after lunch time recess. She was older and would occasionally pause during the story and tell us about a house keeping task she was assigned as a youngster and her recollection dovetailed somewhat with the Ingalls daily life. Thank you again for sharing this!
I love this video sooo much! Everything is so true and a great reminder for us from the past. My dad read these books to my sister and I when we were little. It was a favorite part of my childhood and something I'll never forget. My dad has been gone for 18 years now, but I'll always remember those times. Thank you so much for this. One of my favorite videos ever. 💗💗
As a woman who has been married for a few years, with little prior knowledge in homemaking, I am having to learn how to be the chief operating officer of our home. You are a joy to watch because of your pleasant and kind demeanor, and your savviness in running a home. Thank you for all of your helpful tips, your family is blessed to have you! God bless you
This makes me think about our former library director, Kathryn, a wonderful lady. When she was in hospice, she wanted this series read to her. These were the last words she wished to hear.
I love this series, myself. My mother read it to me, and then I read it on my own. ❤
Oh my heart. 💜
Lol, if that was me, I would be sure to live through the entire series, and then let go. :)
In the 90s we used the LH books and The Prairie Primer (also supplemented with other things). One of our favorite curriculums ever!!!
Loved this video especially the last tip about having a positive attitude. I’m not a homemaker yet in terms of taking care of a home with children/ husband (soon come!) but I am a small business owner of a store. Watching this video, I had a revelation that owning and taking care of a store is just like being a homemaker! There a lot of tasks and chores that might be unpleasant. Employees that are just as needy as children. Business partners whom my relationship with must be tended to like a marriage. All the while, I must have a positive outlook and set the pace for the store. This really inspired me to take a homemaking approach to my business. To be grateful, to find joy in the mundane, to ask for help when needed and to work arduously but with a pleasant and joyful attitude! At last, the Bible does say to “Roll your works upon the Lord!” Proverbs 16:3. This means to me that I should work while practicing the fruits of the spirit. Work while maintaining love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control!
This is the best video I've seen for ages, so inspirational and uplifting. I've only seen the televised version but would now like to read the books.
The thing i remember from the books is the litle figurine on a corner shelve. They moved a lot but when mother put the figurine in place this was their home. What a lot of stuff we own!! Too much clutter especially when you only need one figurine of a little dancing girl to make a home! Never forgot this " lesson"
Amen
I often have thought of Ma’s woman figurine as a symbol of minimalism. The Ingalls had so few possessions, each item they owned was cherished , some only taken out at special occasions.
Have you read “The Wilder Life” by Wendy McClure. Very interesting for a Laura Ingalls fan! And the book “Little House in the Ozarks” is a compilation of the newspaper columns she wrote after she and Almanzo moved to Mansfield, MO.
I will look for the book.
I also have a book that is a compilation of various articles by Laura in her later years. So full of gentle wisdom 💖
Been implementing your wardrobe tips over the past couple of weeks- life changing! I so deeply appreciate you!
Amazing! Thank you!
Plz visit my channel
Thank you! I absolutely love this. That’s the thing I always loved most about the Little House books. Laura described the most ordinary things with such reverence.
I can not imagine how difficult it would have been to do basic things like laundry. We take so much for granted. I have been playing the old Little House on the Prairie episodes for my 8 year old to watch. It is eye opening for her. Thank you for post. I am going to pick up the books to read with her also.
I cannot begin to tell you how beautiful this was to me. I am so inspired by every part of this teaching. Thank you. Truly.
I still adore the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder at age 60! There is so much wisdom in these books. About once every decade or so, I re-read them (the Garth Williams illustrated versions) and get new things from them. They are also so calming after a stressful day.
Routines definitely frame our days. I think there is so many benefits to getting the housework done 1st. We love this series and gain so much wisdom from it. Thank you for taking the time to share these lessons🌹
Thank you, Nikki!
Thank you for sharing this. We just brought 4 of the 5 books of this series. We will begin reading soon. Your tips we're right on point.
We're huge fans of Little House. There is so much to be learned from the stories- hard work, homemaking, pursuing dreams, loving others... Theyre classics for a good many reasons. Great vlog!
Thank you so much for this video. It was an absolute breath of fresh air and inspiration. I am a mom of four and I work part time, many times I struggle to have a positive attitude especially when others are not helping as much as I would like. I always loved a clean and organized home, but as I am getting older I am realizing just how important homemaking is for our children and our families.
Simply charming. You've inspired me to read "Little House" series to my granddaughter.
Reading the the LIW Series as a young girl is what cemented my deeply rooted goals of having a homestead. I now have a homestead and recently revisited the books to help me figure out what I had gotten myself into! And to motivate. It was indeed like revisiting with an old friend. Of course reading it with my "adult eyes and insight" I had to pause several times to consider the impact of settlers on indigenous peoples and some of the norms and beliefs of that time. I still am able to enjoy the stories though and they help me step into seasonal living and a sustainable lifestyle. Thanks for posting this and take care Jennifer ~Peace
This is all new to me! I'm loving it!. This is the first day I heard of Laura Ingalls, as I am still trying to catch up with American Culture. My husband jokingly refers to me as "Little House on the Prairie" every so often if I read the weather by observing the sky or call out remedies for the common illnesses, peel an orange with a large sharp knife without breaking the peel, and other silly things. I was so stunned that my mother who only went to school for 3 years in the 1940 in Brazil had all the good knowledge from these books. Her routine was as described in the books and I'm sure she's never read them. Hearing about the stories is like reading her story and reliving part of my early childhood. So sweet! And when I was a kid, my dad would arrive from a long trip with a red apple as a gift. It would be wrapped in very soft purple tissue. I would hold and smell that apple for at least a week before having the courage to bite into it. How rich were our lives? It's unthinkable... So sweet and tender memories...
Thank you for making this video. You have really inspired me to buy and read the book to my 5 year old son. My son and I are on our own, but I really do enjoy trying to make a good, happy home-life, and he really does appreciate it. Your video made me realise that I could take so much more pleasure and pride in doing the mundane things in the home and garden, and to try and share that pleasure with my son would be a gift.
During lockdown we have decided to try to grow our food and me more self sufficient.
Your video reminded me so much of my own grandmother who had a beautiful attitude to life and really appreciated everything around her.
Thank you,
Ruth, from Cornwall, England.
I love the Little House books. It makes me feel warm and cozy just thinking about them. 🙂 I loved how the family treated each other with love and respect, and the strong values that were part of their lives. They taught me that a family could accomplish and withstand anything together! ♥️
This was a really nice video. I read those books to my children, but never connected with this aspect of them. Thank you!! I do believe this series is going to be on my reading list for fall.
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This has been so lovely to listen to while I clean! Thank you for this lovely motivation.
Always loved the book series. You’ve encouraged me to read them again. On a family vacation out to Mt. Rushmore I made my family take a major detour to visit one of her homesteads. It wasn’t much to look at (I think there are better ones) but I enjoyed the experience so much. Great tips!!
That's wonderful!
The homestead in DeSmet South Dakota is one of the best sites. Visitor's center, the original cottonwoods, a school, and several other buildings and activities. The best part was on the way back from Yellowstone we stopped there and spent the night in a covered wagon on the Ingalls homestead. One of the best nights ever! Plus there are quite a few sites in town like the the Ingalls last house and the Surveyor's House.
The Walnut Grove site doesn't have much to see out at the home site, but the museum in town is cute.
Queen Of Putrescence I wish I could remember which site we went to. I honestly don’t know if it was in South Dakota. I’ll have to look up those two places. That overnight in a covered wagon sounds awesome!! Thank you for giving me this info.
Yes, I remember reading her books aa.a kid. I loved them! She loved justice!
This video made me subscribe! I love learning about history and the way people lived back in simpler, and harder times.
All time favorite: Little House in the Big Woods 💕💕
My parents loved these books and living in Missouri went to Mansfield to see their home! Thanks for sharing, brings back many happy times of my parents and how I was raised and yes Im grateful for technology...as in a washer and dryer. Your channel is a blessing to me!
This was so beautiful to listen to Jennifer!!! Made me think of my younger years with my mum and the chores we had, and lovely homemade cooking.... we came away from proper family life, the world is so noisy and buzzing.... was a joy to unwind to before bed and made us see what is so important... happy family life and true values and having a strong faith in our Wonderful creator and God.... looking forward to more 😃... thankyou 🌷
Oh I loved this video so much, it was so cozy.
These are things you always talk about, things we know, but listening to you talk about them from their perspective, and the book quotes made it so different and nice. I can't wait for the next video of this series.
I'd be so keen to read a Jennifer L. Scott book on applying Little House secrets to modern life. Theres a book or series if books in that I'm sure.
I love love love this! What a beautiful way to have us walk back down memory lane of reading LIW growing up but also connecting those passages of childhood to adulting - genius!
I love these books! I’m now reading the first or to my kids as my mother did to me. One thing I realized as i was watching this video is that Ma had three girls to help with all the work. I, as a child, was very much a help for my mother, like Laura was for her mother. When Laura grows up and has all of the responsibilities on her own shoulders it becomes a very different task. I experienced a very discouraging time in my life when I first got married and all of the homemaking was on my shoulders. I felt overwhelmed all the time because I had no help. And when we adopted little kids things became so much more overwhelming. Now the kids are older and taking on more chores and dressing themselves, my burden has felt so much lighter! I feel like a better mom and homemaker. My attitude toward homemaking is also better. It’s a team-work atmosphere and not a run-myself-to-the-ragged-end-to-get-everything-done atmosphere. Sometimes having some help is all that a homemaker needs.
Growing up, my home was not always the safe, happy place one hopes for BUT the Little House books gave me hope that one day I might be able to find a better way. I dreamed of being Ma to to my own kids. I looked for and met and married a wonderful godly man, resilient, cheerful, hardworking, and devoted to our family. He's been a brilliant Pa for 23 years (even chopping and bringing home wood for our iron stove every year). We may not have quite lived up to the idealism of my nine-year-old self, but my husband and I have a strong marriage and our now grown kids have made us so proud. We homeschooled for 12 years, and you can bet the Little House series was a big influence. I still listen to the audiobooks when I knit or stitch, and I still glean wisdom and comfort from Ma, my hero. I love how you were inspired in your homemaking. I need to listen again with an ear for these tips myself! I never quite lived up to Ma's tireless, cheerful work ethic and self discipline, that's for sure.
Thank you for reminding me of the joy of these books! I often wished that I lived in "the olden days" when I was growing up and my best friend and I loved playing that we did. It's true, I think it was the atmosphere of hardworking and togetherness that made it seem so appealing, even to a child, despite the hard work involved. Your videos inspire me to cultivate that spirit again now that I have a home of my own.
You have no idea how precious this video is. I never have anyone else to discuss the Little House books with. You noticed all the things I did. I wish you would do a chapter by chapter little video for the series.
Love how you used The Little House On The Prairie series and talked about the life we live now.
I stumbled upon your channel on home making and self care and I’m so happy I did.., I enjoy your videos ! You have a class!!!
Beautiful--just what I needed! I love homemaking and this inspires me to be better at my art.
My fav is Farmer Boy, about her husband Almanzo's childhood. They ate like Thanksgiving everyday. They had a variety of vegetables and deserts everyday. They worked the farm and had a lot.
You will love part 2 then!
the Daily Connoisseur I can’t wait!
I thought about The Long Winter and referenced that to my daughters so often during our time with the stay at home orders. Such an amazing book. I love this posting. 😊
Thank you for thinking through this and thoughtfully giving excerpts. Reading through the series aloud with my children last year was a surprising boost to my homemaking. The stories encourage me to be faithful and joyful in the seemingly small things. The last excerpt about Laura hating the farm made me cry just now. Having come through 2 years of suffering, I am comforted to hear another woman facing the heaviness of tragedy.
Another children's series that illuminates homemaking and mothering is Anne of Green Gables.
My favourite topic thank you for your review! In the evenings when my children were younger I read the series to them. Thankfully we had no television just a radio at the time.It started out with just my youngest, but by the time the first book was read the rest of them had joined the "party"! My family went primitive camping near the end of the series and to my great surprise my oldest two sons 15 and 14 had packed the books and asked me to continue our evening routine. You could have knocked me over with a feather, alas I did continue and read by firelight all week! This is one of my happiest memories of being a mum!
I thoroughly enjoyed that. Wonderfully presented. I am now going to change my attitude towards chores and become more positive and grateful. As you said, if you have to do them anyway why not be cheerful about it. This pioneer family are such an inspiration. I thought of my amazing grandmother who though she worked so hard all her life had a sweet smile for everyone. She never complained even when faced with incredible hardship. As a society I feel we have become ungrateful and soft. Maybe one positive result of this pandemic will be that we become more self sufficient and more appreciative of what we have. Thank you for this video. Subscribed.
I just started reading the series with my girls. I never read them as a child. It already has brought me so much joy. I can’t imagine how it is for little ears.
I appreciate this video. Everything you do seems to be so far above the modern standard. Thank you.
I enjoyed this video very much. It’s helped me to appreciate all that’s been entrusted to me and begin to enjoy taking care of my home more often. Thank you for sharing. 😊