Homesteading can be deeply rewarding, but it’s not without heartbreak. This week, we faced one of the tougher moments every homesteader dreads—losing a kid (baby goat). Here’s what happened and what we’re learning through the process.
A Difficult Loss on the Homestead
Sadly, losing a baby animal is something every homesteader faces at some point. In our case, we suspect the mother wasn’t providing enough nutrition for one of her twins. Despite our efforts to intervene, it was too late by the time we returned with supplies.
Lessons in Monitoring and Nutrition
This loss taught us the importance of closely monitoring mother goats, especially with twins. This is something we have been trying to do, but it's easy to be misled and think all is well. Earlier in the week the kid seemed to be doing just fine, telling us it was some small sign we failed to recognize. We also realized we need to be better prepared, keeping supplies for bottle-feeding on hand in case of emergencies.
Challenges of Homesteading Without Land
One of the biggest hurdles we’re facing is living 20 minutes away from the land where we keep our animals. If we were closer, we might have caught the issue sooner and had a better chance of saving the kid. Homesteading without owning land adds unique challenges, but we’re finding ways to adapt.
Looking Ahead: Downsizing the Herd
Our next challenge is downsizing the herd. Without a truck, transporting animals to the processor or sale is tricky. We’re considering creative options, like taking a few at a time in our minivan. Yes, we’re doing this whole homesteading bit backwards, but we’re making it work.
Despite the struggles, we’re learning, growing, and taking steps toward our dream of owning land. Every challenge is a lesson, and every small victory is a step closer to the sustainable, self-sufficient life we envision.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
This is my 9th (I think) year of homeschool. I have now graduated my older 2 and my youngest is now a junior in high school. We have been a part of a homeschool co-op for most of the time we have homeschooled. When we first got started, we joined a co-op that was about an hour away. They had a lot to offer from extra curricular classes to academic classes. It was a great group of parents and they were very welcoming and helped us a lot as we were just getting started on our journey. However, we only stayed with them a short time due to the drive. Not long after that, a group of friends in my area were all homeschooling. We decided to get together and form our own co-op. It was a group of 6 moms with our kids. I don't remember how many kids we had total, but it was between 15-20. It was quite the group! We tried doing some of the core subjects, but it wasn't always that easy to get the job done with a bunch or rowdy boys, and I might add...stinky lol. One of the places we met was in a house (owned by the church next door and not being used)...to close pre-teen/teen boys up in a small bedroom just to have a quite place to teach a class. Let's just say it was less than pleasant.
Fast forward another year or 2...we found a co-op close by that was just starting to open up their doors to "outsiders". A couple of the moms from our group of 6 were going to try it out and since it was only a 20 minute drive, I decided I would give it a try too. I'm happy to say that I'm still with this co-op. I don't even know how many years its been. We have all made some great friends in this group. Moms, let me tell you...the comfort you have when you know the parents of the kids your kids are hanging out with is amazing! My kids were never (even in public school) allowed to go to a friend's house without us first knowing the parents. Being a part of a co-op, it's like a built-in bonus.
Now, let me bash one of those homeschool myths: Homeschool kids are unsocialized....ummm, really? My kids, as well as many others in our group, can carry on a conversation with people of all ages. I've seen it time and time again. We have all ages at our co-op, from babies all the way up to grandmas. The adults are respected, the kids know how to engage with others, the teenage boys are helpful and know how to open doors and help carry things. All of the kids pitch in on their designated days to help clean up when we are done. They learn responsibility. They grow up to be respectful young adults, willing to lend a helping hand.
Even with a great group, as most homeschool moms can relate, I'm always happy when it comes to the end of our co-op semester and we get a break. But, if I'm being honest, I also miss the time together. Realizing that I only have 3 more semesters with my youngest is a bit bittersweet. I enjoy the time with other moms and love watching the kids grow and learn. Most of my time with this co-op, I have taught the "littles" crafts. I love seeing all of their individuality. This year I'm also teaching a yearbook class with a few of the teen girls. This will be our 2nd time offering a yearbook. I did yearbook in high school and it was one of my favorite classes. So to be able to offer it to my kids has been great! It's always so fun to see it all come together and have memories to last a lifetime.
With that being said, it's time for our holiday break...don't mind me as I spend time with my family and also sneak in a little bit of time for some fun crafts of my own or maybe even working on our homeschool yearbook.
Enjoy this time with your loved ones!
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
