We are Officially Empty Nesters…Now What?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- Today we moved our youngest daughter into her college dorm. That means we are officially empty nesters.
#homesteadingskills #homesteading #emptynesters
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Advice? Put living quarters in the barn, that way when they come visit they have a private place to stay. That does 2 things, I keeps them from turning your new world upside down every time they visit, it gives them a safe place to stay without feeling like they are imposing. It will increase the likelihood of them returning to the farm. If it doesn’t pan out that way, it’s a place for interns to stay to learn homesteading in exchange for free labor. Win win.
That great advice.
I need more people like u in my life. This was great and I will carry this advice with me as well for our kids. Thank u
Idea: Establish an RV hookup pad(s) so that students can stay in their own rv or you could purchase a camper for the short term learning experience. (planting season or harvest time?) and on the off season make the Camper a BnB rental. You have lots of possibilities for this new chapter of your lives. You may want to take some time to adjust together before starting a new project. We will be praying for God to direct you each day of this new adventure!
@@lisad8713 as an former rv park owner I can tell you that’s not ideal, RVs consume as much energy and resources as a 2000 sq ft home. Then the people want to drag in cats and dogs and all their bad habits to your place and you foot the bill for the utilities and they get way to comfortable and loose respect, they are there to unlearn that exact behavior, If more space is needed throw up bunk beds in a shed like summer camp does!’
Great idea!
It’s been 13 years now being an empty nester, and it was very difficult for me. At first my husband and I were not aligned with dreams and aspirations. I wanted to be back in the country homesteading. At the time, I never watched TH-cam and had no clue the homesteading movement was about to take off, but somehow, I found your channel in 2021, then others, and I knew this was what God was calling me to do. As I turned our entire Gilbert, AZ back yard into a thriving garden and jokingly said to him, “this side yard is perfect for a chicken run”, I was shocked to hear him say, let’s do it! I could write a book on how God has aligned our ambitions and made homesteading a reality! We are now on 8 gorgeous acres in SC working together to build our homestead. To those who are going through a transition in life and feeling sad, lost, uncertain, or stuck, seek out what brings you joy and look for inspiration that propels you towards it. I planted a pepper seed in 2021 out of hope and desire-that changed the trajectory of everything. It will happen for you too!
Great story! We started in Gilbert as well!
That's awesome! Bless you guys!
@@JamesCouch777 thank you 🩵
Thanks for sharing! I was born and raised in WI and moved to Arizona in 1985 with my parents and younger brothers. I live in Gilbert now, but my hubby and I are working on our new homestead about 3 hours NE of this area. It is just too hot for too much of the year for us in Gilbert, plus the 'town' isn't the nice place it used to be with farms, ranches and farmland. It has morphed into a congested city filled with apartments, warehouses, storage places and more apartments that have swallowed up almost everything. Too many people with every inch of dirt covered with some type of ugly building. We can't wait to leave. South Carolina sounds and looks like a nice state. Gardening here in Gilbert is tough too. Fall and spring not as bad, but summers are really tough to keep things alive. At least for me. Love your story and happy gardening in SC!
My husband and I are at odds re: dreams and visions too. It has gotten so bad that I don’t even let him help me in the garden anymore. It is my retreat too. Thank you for giving me hope.
Our daughters are 40 And 38, both married, we have three grandchildren and are enjoying this stage of our lives tremendously. ‘Time flies’ is an understatement. Enjoy all your new changes/stages as they come. God bless and keep you.
I was a single dad raising my kids and when they moved out it was hard on them and me. Like you I thought that my food consumption would go WAY down because it was only me at the house but what I found was that I gained two more mouths that liked dads canning and fresh veggies. Now I have four grand kids that like to eat and I love to provide as much as I can for them.
It is very hard for young folk these days because of the high prices of rent or buying a home so I like to provide as much food as I can to help but I only provide financial support when it is really needed and they get in a bind. I told them long ago that dad is a food bank not an ATM and they have taken that to heart and have made good lives for themselves.
One thing that I can say that if your kids are proud like mine are, they will not ask for food from you, so what I do is show up for a visit and secretly investigate the amount of food and if I feel it is too low I deliver some of the "Extra food" that I tell them I can't use. Saves their pride and I sleep better knowing they are all fed.
I have watched you from your begining days and I love your videos. God Bless
I loved the food bank not an atm motto . Thanks for sharing
I’ve been retired now. 14 years. What surprised me was the fact that in those 14 years we have been together virtually 24/7.. I’ve thought often, “ It’s a good thing we like each other.” In fact, we prefer being together., workin together, doing life together. Because we prefer each other’s company it has been so much easier. I really believe that in our case the sum is better than the parts. God’s blessings on you two as you take on being empty nesters. You’ll do well with His help.
Moms always have the hardest time when the nest is empty, You held back your tears well. Congratulations on the next step. Good luck in the future. God Bless your family ....
I'm currently in Baton Rouge sending off my youngest to LSU! We are from Southern California so it is a big move! I have shed some tears but I know she will do well and I am proud that she is up for an adventure!
WE HAVE 3 DAUGHTERS, AS EACH ONE MARRIED AND LEFT IT WASN'T MUCH DIFFERENT TILL THE THIRD DAUGHTER MARRIED 15 YRS AGO THEN ONE NIGHT I LOOKED AT MY HUSBAND AND ASK" WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSE TO BE DOING". IT'S BEEN A NEW JOURNEY AND WE LOVE IT. OUR FAMILY OF 5 HAS NOW GROWN TO A FAMILY OF 18. WE LOVE WATCHING THEIR FAMILIES GROW. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE.
Sarah, Kevin gave you the "evil eye" when you said that you wouldn't need as many tomato plants. 🤠
10:40 I was glad to hear you say "no tears were shed". My husband and I, as did you two, worked hard for years to raise competent, hard-working, independent young adults. By the grace of God and some good luck, we were successful. This is something to be happy about and to celebrate, not cry about. We are not homesteaders but have a big garden. We love to share our bounty with our children. Two of our three children are gardening now as well. And, they are teaching their children to garden! I'm glad we passed down the skills. Enjoy this season of life!
@marybk882 I didn't shed any tears when my kids left for college either. Like you, I was happy for them and confident that I had prepared them for life as competent adults. My parenting philosophy when they turned 10 (yes they are twins) was that they were "adults in training". As parents we should be proud of the adults we've raised rather than sad for the kids we lost. Nothing has been lost. It's just a new chapter for everyone.
We became empty testers 2006. 2015 we built a multi generational house. My mom ourselves and our oldest daughter her husband and 4 kids. Our son in law and daughter co own the house with my wife and me. The kids live in the walk out. We live on the main floor. We usually see the kids multiple times a week. Our son in law and daughterwe see about once a week. We do garden together in summer. They do the starter plants March April
My husband and I owed a Hunting store together and worked along side each other as well as working our Homestead together for 28 years. We looked forward to an empty nest, but God had other plans for us. We have raised 3 daughters, 5 grandchildren off and on. We adopted our youngest grandson and he will be 11 next month.
As much as we dreamed of an empty nest we cannot imagine growing old without this young man. He is the joy of our life. We homeschool him and are teaching him to live a sustainable lifestyle.
My question I have for you is how do you plan to incorporate your future grandchildren in homesteading? We love our grandchildren and try to instill in them the importance of living a Homestead lifestyle.
Best wishes for Samantha as she starts college!
I wish more kids could grow up having the type of lifestyle you taught your girls. They'll carry the knowledge you gave them throughout the rest of their lives. Good on both of you.
I remember going through a kind of greiving process when all the kids left home. Buy now I can t imagine having them back under the same roof. 😂
I'm retired, My wife still works (RN). Our youngest is in Medical school. Empty nest is great for your relationship . My advice is spend more time with the Lord and enjoy sitting on the porch with the wife. That's what I would do
Amen…the perfect plan
Been empty nesters for 16 yrs now. Husband just retired. Since retirement we have been having so much fun and actually getting to know even more about each other
The transition for me was becoming a widow on the farm/Homestead with all of the children grown and moved out. As prepared as we tried to be for me doing this by myself, of course there have been things I didn't plan for. I'm so lucky 2 of the grown children (and grandkids) live very close and can help if needed and if their jobs and school allow ❤Thank you for your honest conversation!
Remember moving the youngest to college, then moving him home at the end of the year, then back and forth each year. It's more like taking them to camp, haha. He came home often and on breaks of course. Didn't feel like he was gone from the house until he finally got a job out of state. Enjoy this phase. The relationship changes, but can be just as rich if not more.
Good Morning! I absolutely love your channel and being so real on it!! Thanks for being authentic!
Congratulations. We are seeing our youngest daughter and her husband going through empty nesting........so our youngest set of grandchildren are all at the age of leaving home and spreading their wings. May they soar high and let the breeze take them to this beautiful world in the best way. It's a happy and a tearful event, memories and yet hopes and dreams for their beautiful futures.
You and Kevin will do great and perhaps have carved out some empty time to take on a hobby or do whatever you enjoy but haven't done much of. I am excited to see how it all transpires. I am sure you will find amazing things to accomplish and new inventive things that you had always wanted to do. Best wishes for your daughters and I cannot believe they are that old already........they were just little when you began this journey.
Blessings
As having gone through this you now enter a new chapter in your life. We like our new chapter in life and a new lifestyle. Kids need to grow up and leave the nest, part of life.
Yes, with easy transportation, etc, kids leaving home is how things are now. They must leave to grow up, tho I think a homesteading set of parents could make them mature.....chores.
We are walking the same journey of empty nesting. Prayers for your hearts.
My wife (Beth) and I are also a homesteading Christian empty-nester couple. Those are our similarities with y'all and y'all's situation. As for the differences...
Beth & I have been married 51 years, and we arrived at our empty nest phase in 2000, 24 years ago this month, when our youngest daughter got married. Beth "re-careered" (stay-at-home/homeschooling mom before that) two years before, as a homebirth midwife, then started a licensed birth center.
We had gardens and kept chickens, but very small scale, since we live within the city limits on our lot that amounts to about 1/4 of an acre. Over time, we've grown our homestead, though it's still small scale. We replaced our front lawn with a permaculture food forest. We kept raising chickens, did quail for a while, and rabbits. Now it's just chickens & rabbits in our back yard.
For a time, 2 of our 3 kids lived in town, and I would babysit grandkids a lot. Our youngest daughter Jessica trained with Beth to become a midwife, and I'd watch her boys during the day while Beth & Jessica did prenatal visits with clients. If there was a birth, again, I'd watch my grandsons until they're father came home from work.
Now none of the kids live in town, and most of our grandkids are grown. Four are married, and we have 1 great-grand, with another great-grand due any day. This stage of our empty-nester phase is that we're the old grandparents that don't see our grands much outside of occasional visits, weddings, etc.
You two have laid a solid foundation of being one flesh and one in Christ, and working together. I don't believe you need much advice from me. Except maybe...Kevin, grow your beard back! Sarah will get used to being kissed and brushed off at the same time. 😉
You will have more time for each other. To do things for just you. Stay in contact with your kids. Grandkids when they come. When kids left we enjoyed doing things together off homestead as well as at home. The real transition for me was losing my wife 4 years ago. Enjoy having each other while you can.
Indeed, the Lord does have a plan for his people, in every part of their lives. Amen! I appreciate you sharing part of your lives with us, and all that can be learned from your videos!
Next comes grandchildren!
We are blessed so that we can bless others.
Loved the Corporate Kevin & Sarah picture.
so crazy! Watching this and this Thursday our last two kids are moving out to stand on their own. We are getting ready to move to our first homestead. we have been doing what we can from our condo we purchased when all five kids were still home with us. now it is finally just the two of us.
no advice, just know others are traveling this road too.
Congratulations on a major life milestone! It is tough at first, but you will grow to love being empty nesters! I wish the entire family the very best life has to offer.
A couple of things I truly appreciate in observing your lifestyles is: the respect you have for each other, i. e., like not interrupting each other; accepting your individual roles AS husband & wife; & above all, your unashamed love of JESUS! ✝️🥰🙌🏼
I’ve been an empty nester for 21 yrs now, & I promise….your next 20+ will be AS enjoyable, if not more….esp when you begin to have ‘lil replicas of your girls running around!🥰
Blessings on your homestead, & thanks for sharing your lives w/your fans! 🥰
It’s been a long time for me since I was an empty nester. I do recall going through feeling a little lost. Learning to cook different was a little difficult in the sense of downsizing my cooking, but no matter where my children were that feeling in my heart of daily needing to know they were okay never left and to this day, they are in their early 50’s I still have that same feeling. There definitely is an adjustment. God bless you both!
It's the same for me, I pray for them and I know God has them in His big hands, I still want to hear from them as often as I can.
Been an empty nester myself, I don't have what you guys have.but you can still do what you love to,( is grow) go to farmers market, like you used too. Don't give up, because you will say oh I don't want to do it anymore after a few years of not doing anything. My mom keep planting even after, my siblings left. And she had 12.
We dropped our 1 and only son off the other day at college too. Definitely is a life changing moment for sure.
The cinnamon basil you have is what I call African Blue Basil. It makes a wonderful tea and addition in the culinary realm.
Enjoy it and each other. My husband passed two 1/2 years ago. We only had 9 months as empty nesters to be just us
Sorry to hear about your husbands passing but it does make you realize how life can change quickly.
Good luck Samantha! When deciding what to study, consider not only what you are interested in studying, but also the possibility of good paying jobs in your field of study. What you want to get from your education is primarily life/work skills.
It's funny we made not seen the girls much boy had time flew. It may us as much with our own children but when your favorite TH-cam family's start growing up it hits the ❤. Congrats Job well done.
It us fun. An adjustment having kids leave, but the excitement for them and is interesting to watch. Mine have been grown for awhile now. I've upper my garden growing, but has been built around what I'm capable if doing.
Enjoy this next phase in your life
Hi, after having raised 3 children with my husband it was sad when the last one left. Then a few years after we were blessed with grandchildren. In between that time we traveled and visited with friends. You will make it work.
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Congratulations you two! You have given some very important skills, knowledge and experience to your girls. May our Lord continue to bless you guys in this future and may He lead and guide your daughters and their families.
Well, as I've seen, you will need to plan for the kids to come back from time to time. Things happen, like fighting with their husband or can't find an apartment of their own. But ether way, you're home to them. And they know that you are there for them. God's blessings over you in your new lifestyle, i know that you are going to have a great time together.
Good luck with the empty nest. At least you keep busy. You'll need it.
I as a mother, had a little hard time letting go, It took a couple of years to not get emotional when it was too quiet around the house or at the supper table at night, I missed their noise and their presence! It eventually got better, and when I felt alone, I would listen to the radio or put some music on to take my mind off of it! One thing I was interested in that I thought you both could help me and others with is education about raising Cattle, Beef or Milk cows. I have never raised cows, It would be very helpful to know how you take care of them, their pastures, i.e. like rotational grazing, feed, supplements, shots?, products to have on hand, long gloves, equipment needed for health checks to any other things you do with your herd, like how long do you keep your heifers before they get sold or butchered, to bull or no bull! What to look for to determine the health of your cattle! I know you both have covered some of this, but it's been scattered through out all of your videos over the years! Just something I thought would be good to cover, but if not, that's ok! I love you both and your channel anyways! God bless you both! ❤Numbers 6: 24-26
You both did a great job raising your daughters. Your girls going to college and beginning their own lives is a great thing. Next will be grandkids, fun times. I have 5 grandkids, it’s the best!
We had our first three very close together,and they are leaving home fast on each other’s heels. But we had an encore baby 7 years later, chances are fairly high we’ll have grandkids before we’re done parenting. We’re enjoying every stage with the last one. Rather glad the livestock chores won’t be all on me quite yet!
We will never be empty nesters as we have a son with special needs. Do you know anyone you could interview that are never empty nesters that you could interview? We do not have a "homestead" but our entire yard(front and back) have raised beds and were planning on chickens soon.
I would like to see videos of what you taught your girls and/or what you wished you would have- in the realm of homesteading. I’m a bit older than your girls, but in the middle of raising my own 3 girls and would love to glean from your experience! ❤
Congrats to all on these new adventures in life! We’ve been empty nesters for a good 20 some odd years! I think mostly I had to figure out who I was outside of being mom 24/7, after that learning to cook for 2 instead of 3, 4, or 5 of us! 😂
In Washington State, you must complete all prerequisites before entering nursing school. Usually, that takes 2 years before the nursing program. In my mother's day (1945), the prerequisites were included in the nursing program, so 2 years prerequisites, 2 years nursing, completed the program, which was 4 years total. Now days, you are on your own for the prerequisites because they're not included.
Advice on how to stay friends being around each other basically 24/7 365. No matter how much love there is, it can be hard at times. God bless!
My advice - enjoy your life now, it is your turn! LOL! Ours are on a bungee rope - they keep coming back. Daughter married so well settled, son has rented a lot - no stability there, so we have a lot of his belongings. He's on the move again so we are helping out - and our daughter comes for a long weekend next Thursday. She works in farming insurance, so is going to learn a bit more about our smallholding. Son likes helping with building work - weather permitting!
We became empty nesters for 6 months back in 2017 but my fil passed away so we had to move my mil in with us, so I stopped working outside the home to take care of her, well my mil passed away the end of April and we are officially empty nesters also. Was unsure what to do, I decided to take a break for the summer and started my new job today 😊❤ life's new adventures
Yes, I understand what you are going through.
But - do not be afraid. You will not be lonely.
My daughter left, my son left, then my husband left - but in a short time I had four kids instead of two, then grandkids came - luckily I kept two spare bedrooms and I had to add Murphy’s beds there.
I am lucky - they live all close - in So CA and they like my organic garden produce.
Good luck Samantha on your nursing journey!❤🙏🏻
As always, you have a great plan for the future .. I will continue to follow your journey .. I love your channel ❤
I did not not grieve when becoming an empty nester,
Totally celebrated, so very proud of my girls!! I remarried after they both had independent lives. New husband and I retired about 8 years ago. As a previous comment noted, we prefer to be with each other. It’s wonderful just being together with a cup of coffee ( of course).
Our doors are always open to our blended family. We made sure our retirement home suits us and our needs, but there is also room for comfortable visits.
When we all get together there are 22 of us! Whew!
You two have got this! You are already a way head of the game.
As you are enjoying “scaling down”, you may find you have extra time to cultivate new interests or old ones that have been put aside. Never stop learning and hopefully never stop making your You Tube videos! You two are such a joy to watch.
PS Kevin - go ahead and grow as many tomatoes as you can!
Aaaah the reality of being with my spouse everyday all day. It's amazing you can do it...many can't
I find i haven't downsized my garden because i enjoy growing things and my daughters love to come over and shop at my house. My house is still home base. ❤
You guys are great! My husband and I have been married for 26 years. We are also believers. We have 4 kids (2 adopted) ages 26, 23, 20, and 19. We are not quite empty nesters, as our 2 guys are still home. My husband has worked from home the last 16 years, and I have been a homemaker and homeschooled for 7 years. We spent a lot of time together! One thing I think we have worked hard to accomplish is maintaining a strong relationship together, aside from “family” life. We try to get away alone for a week at least once a year. Nothing extravagant, just time alone. My question for you guys is, what do you both enjoy doing as a couple, besides work? Do you ever take small trips just for fun?
I’ve been living in my empty nest for years. I fill my day easy enough, I’ve increased my making salves , soaps and shampoos-, I have been approached about raising meat birds for others who doesn’t live in an area to do it, I still have an abundance of garden produce- the children can have whatever and how much they’d like including herbs as my youngest is quite the chef - you’ll get so use to your new daily things that when the kids visit, the enjoyment is a welcomed blessing and when they go back to their home, that in itself is a welcomed blessing 😄. I was surprised at how easily I fell into living alone. Friends asked me Aren't you lonely? .. nope Thetes a huge difference between being alone and being lonely 🥰 YES I miss the kids, I get nostalgic lots and many times want ONCE MORE some little kid things… packing for the beach day, hauling them in from the sandbox for their bath, and wind downtime before bed- listen to their prayers and tuck them in and KNOW where they are and all is well with them. We had 18 years to prepare but like anything else you’re never totally ready. BUT- you remember how
Yes, keep doing these types of videos please 😊 We are entering this stage ourselves. We’ve already made changes-paring down the garden has been one. We are also adopting another dog from a rescue and so excited about it! Would love to get into animal rescue in some way. We bought a travel trailer & also looking forward to exploring this beautiful country of ours while visiting family & friends. Thanks for always sharing such great content & cheers to the next chapter being amazing!
You two are personable and warm, and I enjoy watching your together videos and well as your individual videos. I'm not a homesteader, and I no longer have a garden, but I still enjoy watching your videos even though they don't apply to my lifestyle. What I would like to see, though, is more information on the keto lifestyle you follow. You both inspired me to start keto/intermittent fasting the beginning of this year, and I've lost 40 pounds so far, with many more to go. I'd like advice on staying inspired to continue, more recipes, more tips on getting through cravings. I can do without sugar and pasta, but lately I've just been wanting potatoes - I really miss them. Cauliflower only substitutes for so much. LOL! Congratulations on raising two daughters who are independent and confident, and enjoy getting reacquainted with each other as individuals and not just parents.
Enjoy your grandchildren
I’m 58 and single woman, started homesteading 8 years ago with my mom who is now 81 and healthy! My questions are how do we “store up” or prep for our later years? Like grow the same and freeze dry way more? How much more? More meals in a jar? Plan for you pick farm for trees? Rent a bed when I can’t work it?
My husband and I met in college, we both went into the same field - graphic arts. We even worked in the same office at the same company for years. We were best friends when we married, that is important, we think. Then, in my 50's, I had a business that he would help me with when he got done at work. Now, both of our girls are raised and gone, one married, the other single. We are retired and with each other almost all the time. Still best friends!
Advise....I would slow things down but prepare for grandchildren...I think they all will need you ❤
There is such a push in our culture to put the kids front and center. Everything is for and about the kids and the parents don't devote much time to each other and their relationship. The result is entitled kids and a married couple that only had the kids in common, so now that the kids are gone there is no foundation for the marriage and it crumbles. We recognized that our kids were going to grow up and start lives of their own, so we made sure to stay connected and spend time doing things together as a couple while raising kids. As a result when the last child moved out it wasn't quite as much of a shock. You guys work so well together that I don't think it will take much adjusting. Great point about scaling the homestead so that it is something just the 2 of you can handle. That way when the girls were growing up their chores and their help didn't have as much pressure on them. With the girls gone you would definitely have a lot more stuff for the farmers market.
These are times that are not typical. Catch up on the news that you have been missing. Reconnect with your family and close friends that you miss.
I've been a nurse for 48 years. BEST JOB I'VE EVER HAD! Advice tip. Have Samantha continue her education, & get her NP, or PA. She will be sooo happy she did. God bless you all and many prayers 🙏🏻 Nurse Judi in Scottsdale AZ and Eucharistic Minister 🙏🏻
Glad you address this it's beeujut my husband and myself..so when o watch your video, I had to adjust the information you gave to fit our needs and now it’s gonna be good for me to hear how you’re handling canon for two string Food for two because I really struggle with that because I have a large family extended family, and I struggle with how much stuff can’t preserve to freeze freeze dry whatever I need to do I seem to overdo sometimes so I’m looking forward to this next step in your life. Love you guys. God bless you.
The hardest part is not having the kids around no longer being mom or Dad with kids at home .. wen my kids left off to there life's was really hard I was a single mom doing it on my own so make sure you hug each other and love each other ... And listen to each other
And Father Time marches on. As one generation approaches the end, another takes
flight. Two years ago, I had my 50th Class Reunion. Big Milestone. Had to skip it as my
youngest Grandchild now the 5th, was due to take her 1st breath. Choices. She will be
a Big Sister this Christmas! 😊Your nest is now empty but, is it? All we have, at home, is
our fur baby Sadie, (100lb Golden Retriever lap dog) that relies on us, you have dozens of mouths to feed every day. Will we still take that trip? Choices. Are our nests really empty?
My husband and I were not able to have kids. We are 51 and 53. I have a small container garden and greenstalks etc. We have been married 19 years and are struggling this year and in couseling together. I do currently work for corporate America in Florida Aerospace Industry. My husband grew up in city in Michigan. I grew up on farm in Vermont. Chickens, beef cows, horses etc. My husband does not want to leave Florida and I would love to live in NC or TN. We also are Christians however we experienced a church split two years ago. We struggle to work together sometimes. My husband recently broke his foot at work and had to spend some time at home. He is very much a person who gets bored sitting around. I work from home for Corporate America and go into office from time to time. I have been watching homesteading and gardening youtube content for years thusly my small container gardening. Taught myself canning and just last Wednesday pressed the button on a Med Harvest Right freeze dryer. I had been researching and hemming and hawing for three years over it. Anywhoo while my husband was home with broken foot he would watch TV with headphones but then comment or sing etc. I am worried/concerned about retirement and us.
I am pleasantly surprised to see a video on a Tuesday 🥰
You guys surprised me last week too when I saw a video -not on a Saturday or Wednesday 🥳
Maybe you could share the gift of homestead knowledge that God has given you both by way of opening your doors to a kind of hands on learning place for teenagers/grown ups in your community. By doing so you could pass on the great learnings you have obtained over many years
Congratulations, I know you guys will enjoy this time. My husband and I became empty nesters 9 months ago after our youngest of 6 moved out. We have really loved this time together. It's even made it more enjoyable when the kids come home to visit. We had planned to do a lot of camping and fishing, but have put our plans on hold now because my 85 year old father-in-law has moved in with us. Love your time together and always be there for each other first if unforseen things happen and plans change.
That's Great!! Congratulations 🎉
It's just a GREAT feeling knowing you've done a GREAT JOB bringing up your children, allowing them to do what God wishes for them... spread their wings and fly!! You now have a quiet house again, but.... FULL OF WONDERFUL MEMORIES TO SHARE!!
We became empty nester this year too. Our last one joined the Navy.
Oh, I remember how painful it was when we moved our youngest out to college. We really had to think about that. But 5 years later, both kids were back, at least for awhile. You might get some yo-yo-ing for a bit.
I'm 67 and I am more of a market -steader than a homesteader. I have had some heart issues the last few years and I am asking myself if I still have the capacity to pursue the market. I have tried to produce high value crops and have built a loyal customer base. I guess I am more concerned about letting that customer base down if I were to stop. Your video has me thinking of alternate plans.
We have been empty nesters for around 13 years. Have been homesteading for about 4 years. Have been working with my hubby for a life time. My only question is how do u keep up your house cleaning? Life gets very very busy.
Raising independent children is the goal! Well done!
I don’t have any advice. Although I have adult children from my first husband, my second husband and I don’t have kids-it’s always just been the two of us. That being said, when we started our homestead three years ago, we found that we had Major issues working together. Every project we tried to do together ended in a big argument. So, not only are we trying to figure out homesteading, we are trying to figure out ways to get along. Along this journey, we’ve discovered we are both on the autistic spectrum which greatly affects our communication skills with each other. Armed with this knowledge, we spend time often, discussing how we communicate, what we need from each other, how to handle specific triggers, how to prepare mentally for a two person project, etc. we are a quirky couple, but we are figuring it out. ❤️
I’m soon to find out my husband is retiring next month and to be honest I’m nervous, I’ve been home for the past 8 years after the company I worked closed down. So having him home all day every day really is going to be different. We became empty nester 3 years ago. So wish me luck lol by the way he can’t stay still always has to be busy but we don’t homestead because of our water situation in the state we live in so I’m hoping he finds retiring a joy.
❤CONGRATULATIONS 🎊 to Samantha Upon Entering the College World!! Prayers for Her. I have Watched You Kevin & Sarah of @Living Traditions Homesteading Since You 1st Started & the Girls were Young. ❤You are Both Great Teachers Parents Christian Examples (not Ashamed)❤ & Wonderful Example of Homesteading through it All. I do Miss You Making Meals & Canning & The Whole Thing. I am Not Able to Homestead and ONLY LONG for the COUNTRY (as I was Raised) being disabled & Not Owning Anything of My Own I live with an Empty Nest 3x's over & Grandchildren I Am not able to even Get To. Empty Nesting has Not Been Easy for ME ALONE..But Being from MO I look forward to Seeing What You All come Up with..GOD BLESS & STAY CLOSE TO THE LORD & HE WILL GUIDE & DIRECT YOUR PATHS ..❤
I never really considered my child going to college as the beginning of our empty nester stage. Once they graduated and moved out on their own its really empty nester stage. During college they are often home for summers, holidays and weekends.
Oh my God, when Sarah said “we don’t need to grow 100 tomato plants”, I fully expected to hear Kevin say “WAIT, What”? 😂😂😂
After my son left I went through a depression..it was very difficult for me but I was also divorced which I think made it harder for me so I was very excited when he would invite me over to eat or have a paint party..but let me tell you, now I have 3 grandchildren who keep me very busy and love every minute of it..I teach them all the things , such as cooking, sewing, crafting, dealing with chickens and food preservation..some day they may need those skills..oh and I make the best pickles in the world, my grandchildren tell me..enjoy your me time now and wait for those grandchildren…
Pickle recipe, please?
Dill pickles and pickled okra
This recipe makes one pint jar at a time
I cut my cucumbers into spears, put them in jars to see how many I end up with before making my brine..if you have 3 jars of spears, triple the brine..
Do the okra the same way..hot water bath 10 min.
Brine: 2/3 cup water, 1/3 cup vinegar, 2 tsp canning salt (bring to a boil)
PICKLES: 1 tsp dill seed, 1/8 tsp mustard seed, 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp chopped onion (can add pickle crisp) (put in jars)
OKRA: 1 tsp dill seed, 1clove garlic, 1 Cheyenne pepper (put in jars)
Pour brine in..I let them sit a couple weeks before opening..
this was my great Grandmas recipe…enjoy..
Congratulations on your Milestone of Life Kevin and Sarah. Also congratulations to both of your Daughters and may they continue to enjoy your teachings of caring for your food stock and storage and maybe continue during harvest times to help with the harvesting and canning to lighten their load for stocking their pantries as well as helping you two some with the canning.
Stay safe and enjoy the fact that you have raised two wonderful children into this world to continue your life's ambitions . Fred.
There is 7 of us (combined family) we just decided to do a pig every other year..two of three children are in college one is away at Mississippi, one will be going to Tennessee next year, and the youngest has yet to decide what he wants to do his senior year. We are also discussing our cow, usually one every 18-20 months we are probably going to cut that down too. Ahhh season changes as we grow.
Wish all the best to Samantha in her new endeavors. We need good teachers and nurses. We will benefit from their services in the future. Is it possible you can benefit financially with some of the animals you like to raise,i.e. cattle and pigs?
Hahaha the look on Kevin's face when Sarah said we don't need 100 tomato plants !😂😂
I am glad to see y'all have a great attitude towards the new chapter in life! I have watched y'all over several years & I have learned a lot. I do enjoy the sit down videos also. Chat videos about how best balancing time with the farm work & raising kids. We are a younger couple & have a toddler so advice from y'all looking back on how you balanced time would be helpful. Also, I know you have done videos with some details in the past, but chats about how to leave corporate & being able to work from home would be very interesting to us. Our goal is to someday be able to work from home/farm.
Our kids have there own kids two weddings later. Now we still help feed our grandchildren. Teaching cooking and canning with our grandchildren.
They come home then leave. Open door policy. God asked us to do things together. ❤❤❤❤❤
Congratulations on raising two beautiful girls! Enjoy your new adventure!
you two have been so blessed with family and all things i think you both will do super great as empty nesters and thats a great thing most empty nesters feel lost due to not having things to do or talk about once kids leave the nest but both of you have each others plus have your homestead to take care of your will still be busy with or without your girls on it. most people feel empty and lost due to not having a hobby or anything to keep them busy and motavated like you guys and myself included i am a small homesteader like most my kids are grown and have their own familys now i keep 1 breeding pair of IPP's i breeding pair of american bresse chickens and 6 laying hens 1 dairy jersey cow 1 bull 3 cows 5 ducks and just for me i get enough meat for all year long plus to give to my family fresh milk and eggs for me have my nice 40x60 garden house for all my veg needs have fruit trees and a 20x40 plot for my fruit watermelon cantalope honey dew melons strawbeerys my egg plants squash and beans and cucumbers ect i also have a 5 tier harvest right dry freezer a dehydrater a butlers pantry for dry storage and i have both my water canner and pressure cooker so i am busy looking after all my little herds of animals and my gardens and cooking and canning to keep from getting the empty nest blues. god bless you both and keep you happy and healty and busy lol.
Sharing from two seniors...he needs his "man cave" to do nothing but tinker, and she needs her space for tinkering...and learn to take naps!
I definitely understand about being an empty nester . All my boys left at one time. It was rough. I cried a lot and ma bell was my best friend. . It is an adjustment. You will be fine.❤
Good luck on your new adventures!😊