Getting Started Homesteading: Getting Family On Board

Welcome to the fourth post in the series “Getting Started Homesteading“. In case you missed the first 3 posts in the series, you can read the first one “Getting Started Homesteading: Start Where You Are” here, and the second post, “Getting Started Homesteading: Homesteading Tools” here. The third post, GettingStarted Homesteading: Budgeting is here. Today we are going to talk about getting family on board.

Even though it can be done, homesteading is always better when the family is involved. In this post, you will learn how to start getting family on board of your homesteading journey right from the start. If you follow the suggestions below, getting family on board should be a smooth process with positive results.

Getting Started Homesteading: Getting Family On Board

Introduce the idea

Before anyone in your family can become interested you need to present the idea first. Sit down with your family. Explain to them what it is you are wanting to accomplish. Ask them if they know what it means to homestead. Then, explain the concept. Sometimes family won’t want to be a part of something if they don’t understand it. Take the time to explain.

Not everyone will get what you want to do. They may warm up to the idea, they may not. Either way, presenting the idea to them is a great way to start getting family on board. This way even if they don’t agree at first, at least they understand what you are doing.

Also, make sure you explain “why” you want to start homesteading and its benefits for them too. Sometimes when family members see that it will benefit them also, they will warm up to the idea a lot better.

Explain their roles in homesteading

Once you have explained what it is you want to accomplish by homesteading and warmed them up to the idea, it’s time to talk about each others roles. You need to tell them the things that they can do while living the homesteading life. Get them both excited and interested.

Sometimes getting family on board is easier when they feel they have a specific purpose. If they are children, explain the things they can do. If it is a spouse do the same. Need help in thinking what roles children can have or jobs they can perform? Check out the list below.

Homesteading Jobs for Children:

watering gardens and plants
harvesting
planting seeds
care of animals and livestock
sweeping and chores
collecting eggs

Ask for their input

Don’t forget to ask them for their input. You never know what they may suggest! Getting family on board means making them a part of all aspects, even decision making. Ask your children and or spouse what kind of animals they would like to raise. Maybe they have a certain breed they like.

Ask them what activities they would like to partake in or learn about. My kids wanted a pond in the front yard so they could catch tadpoles. I certainly wouldn’t have thought of that! But it made them feel like what they wanted, meant something. That is exactly what I wanted, them to be an active part.

How to handle negativity

Don’t be too disappointed if getting your family on board doesn’t happen right away. Sometimes your dreams just aren’t their dreams. That’s okay. After all, homesteading was your idea, right? They may come around. If they don’t, there are a few things you can still do. But you need to decide which route to take.

Give up on the idea

Even though I think this is the worst decision you can make, sometimes it is for the best. If nobody you try to include wants to have anything to do with it and you don’t wish to try homesteading alone, it may be the right answer for you. Maybe you can approach the homesteading idea later on. After the kids are grown or at a better time in the future may be a possibility. Like I said, I don’t think anyone should give up on the idea, but you need to make that decision yourself.

Do it yourself

Just because everyone else doesn’t wish to participate doesn’t mean your dreams are shattered. You can do so many things related to homesteading all by yourself. Doing it alone is not impossible! I know, because I did it for 2 and a half years. You just have to figure out what you can and can’t do.

Some homesteading tasks you can do alone:

make your own cleaners
can and preserve food
use coupons
bake from scratch
grow a manageable sized garden
raise chickens and small animals
grow herbs and fruit
use a clothesline
composting
practice recycling
bee keeping

The list has so many possibilities! Don’t give up just adjust instead!

In conclusion…

Getting family on board doesn’t always produce the results you wished for. Sometimes it does. Either way, as long as you introduced the idea, explained your goals and dreams and made everyone feel important, you did all you could do. If that point they don’t wish to participate, it’s okay, you can still start homesteading!

On the other hand, if they jump on board with you, awesome! Now that the family is on board, sit down and make a plan. Set some goals together.

Whether you start homesteading alone or with your family on board, enjoy your journey and have fun!