You knew this was coming, right? Part 1 requires a "part 2", so here we go-today we'll open up the discussion on homeschooling.
The big picture offers parents three choices for their children's education: public school, private/charter school, and homeschooling. Most every variation of education will fall under one of these three options. Is having options for your child's education a bad thing? We don't think so. Every child and family is different. They have different needs, learning styles, and God given talents (art or science, for example). So why is it that some people are so threatened and offended by our homeschooling? I think its from the lack of understanding-so I'm going to explain the answers to the most asked questions we get about homeschooling.
1. What is wrong with the public schools in your area?
-Nothing. We want our children to have a Christian education and cannot afford the parochial schools in our area for all of our children. We want to install strong morals and ethics into the kids before we cut them loose into the real world, in hopes that they kick in when tough situations challenge the children. I have a lot of christian friends who are public school teachers. If I could put all of them into one school, public school would be more viable for us. It seems as though a lot of times public school teachers have their hands tied behind their backs. They can't say "God" or "bible", and walk a very fine line when it comes to any ethical or character training.
-We also like the flexibility that comes with homeschooling. We make our own schedule. We still do about 150 lessons per school year, just maybe not on the same days as the other schools. We can tailor the kids' education beyond the basics to their specific interests. If they need to go slower, we can go slower. If they need to go faster, we can go faster. Home schools do not necessarily create a bunch of over educated kids-but it might help them keep up with their peers. We appreciate that in the elementary years our kids time spent doing school work is notably shorter,and that they have more time to play and "learn" outside.
2. How long do you plan on homeschooling?
-We take it one year at a time. It would be foolish of us to say "forever". We do not know what our circumstances are going to be in the future. We do not know God's plans for us. We do not know how our children's needs will change over the years, or how our needs will change. What we do know is that we want to do what is best for our kids right now, and that is homeschooling.
3. What about high school?
-What about it? This is practically a direct insult to my own intelligence. Will homeschooling high school be harder? Of course. Is it doable? Yes! I graduated from high school. I even graduated from a certificate dairy program at MSU. All of what we are teaching here is more or less a review for us (Rick and I). One of the smartest things we can do is recognize our own weaknesses, and get outside help in those areas. This might be a tutor; an online interactive class, or a community college class. It may be a matter of choosing different curriculum and teaching method for that student. With the curriculum we're using right now, we have the option of learning via lessons on DVDs, lessons online, or the very same lessons taught by me from the teacher's manual. One key to being successful is knowing when to ask for help or ideas-and not being afraid to.
-My own high school experience had many positive aspects, but unfortunately the ones I remember the most are the English teacher that swore all the time, and the math teacher who constantly talked about when I would be out of school and have a "real job"-you know, NOT milking cows. Not to mention all the efforts put towards swaying the soon to be 18 year old registered voters (the seniors) into voting a certain direction in the upcoming election.
4. Are you worried about their socialization?
-This answer depends on who's asking it. Some people just ask this because it's what they've been taught to ask-they don't even really know why they're asking it. Other forms of the question include "Do they (the kids) get to do things with other kids?". If the person comes across as judgemental, I'll throw them off by saying "yes, that's why they're not in public school." A confused look appears and I follow with "there's a lot of things we don't want them to learn from other kids and teachers at this young age." If the question is sincere, I simply explain that our children take music lessons, are involved in 4-H, church, summer camps, and have 19 cousins (on my side) to play with. Our kids also have each other, us, and often they get to visit with people who come and go on a daily basis. They get to interact with people of all ages. And like I said earlier, our children's needs could change. One of them might be more outgoing and need more time with friends, one might be more quiet and content with a smaller circle.
5. Do you have to take a test to make sure you're competent enough to home school?
-Someone actually asked this. Our state has relatively relaxed rules when it comes to homeschooling. Other states make you register as homeschoolers and report each year. Knowing that we are responsible for our children's education is enough pressure to do the absolute best we possibly can, without having to make sure we align another person's standards of what they feel is important to teach. Just like everything else, I am sure there are some homeschooling families who may be performing at sub par levels, or hiding behind the home school label. I can't help that. And no, there's no test.
I don't feel that every family should home school, or that every family should attend public or private school. I think they should do what's best for their family. As a whole it would be nice if all sectors of the education system could work together, for the future. Recently a teacher we attend church with excitedly shared a website with me, that I can benefit from. That was so nice of her! By sharing with her some of our experiences, it just might help her understand how to help a previously home schooled student transition into public school. There are always going to be kids transitioning from public to private or home school, and the other way around. We may as well try to make it as stress-free as possible for the kids.
If you're a public school teacher, know that our homeschooling is not a put-down on you. You are a very important part of our society. We are not homeschooling because we don't think you are good enough. We are homeschooling with very specific goals in mind. Please don't feel offended. Know that we are doing our best, and are genuinely concerned about our children's education. Maybe instead of sharing that home school failure story with us, you could offer up some words of encouragement, and together we can work towards raising responsible, caring, and loving adults.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Under Attack Part 1-The Kids.
Recently it seems as though our whole life has been under attack. Its getting so I just hope I don't see anyone I know at the store, or consider not going to an event, because I just get tired of having to defend ourselves. When did Christians, of all people, become so judging, especially of each other?
Awhile back we took the family to a corn maze. As we turned around the bend, we heard another couple exclaim "They've got FIVE KIDS!". First off, its just corn, people. Not walls, just corn. We can hear you. In fact, everyone can hear you, there is a lot of "ears" in there (LOL). Lets put our 5 kids into perspective.
1. 5 is twice as many as the average American family, yet half (or less) than the average Mennonite family. When we had four, some friends said to us "you're just in the honeymoon stage!" :)
2. Our kids are taken care of. They have food (high quality, at that), clothing, shelter and education. We are not on government assistance (for now-I am considering checking out Obamacare, which automatically signs you up for medicaid, which is tax payer funded).
3. Our kids's original parents are still married to each other. Now a days, it's a big deal.
People ask us if we're trying to be the Duggars. Or if we're tying to "get our own TV show". Honestly, I would have no problem being as smart as those people. They have took their life and figured out to make a financial living just by showing people how they live. Genius. They are going to do laundry and meals anyway, so why not? But again, two married people, raising their family in line with the Word, living debt free, not on government assistance, getting criticized because of how many kids they have. Do the older kids help with the younger kids? Of course they do! Isn't it our job as parents to raise children who can function in their adult life? Isn't is our job to teach them how to maintain a home, car, and change a diaper in case they have kids? Do we want to raise kids that think the whole world revolves around them, or do we want children that grow into adults serving others with a selfless attitude?
We know people who choose not to have any kids, and we're fine with that. We don't go around harrassing them about it all the time. We know people who have two children. Same thing. One thing we try to never say is "When are you going to have another one?" How many children a couple has is their business, and hopefully confirmed by God.
Often we don't realize how our comments can affect other people. I'm sure we have said things that have been offensive to others( and I apologize about that). Just not about their kids.....
-Terri
Awhile back we took the family to a corn maze. As we turned around the bend, we heard another couple exclaim "They've got FIVE KIDS!". First off, its just corn, people. Not walls, just corn. We can hear you. In fact, everyone can hear you, there is a lot of "ears" in there (LOL). Lets put our 5 kids into perspective.
1. 5 is twice as many as the average American family, yet half (or less) than the average Mennonite family. When we had four, some friends said to us "you're just in the honeymoon stage!" :)
2. Our kids are taken care of. They have food (high quality, at that), clothing, shelter and education. We are not on government assistance (for now-I am considering checking out Obamacare, which automatically signs you up for medicaid, which is tax payer funded).
3. Our kids's original parents are still married to each other. Now a days, it's a big deal.
People ask us if we're trying to be the Duggars. Or if we're tying to "get our own TV show". Honestly, I would have no problem being as smart as those people. They have took their life and figured out to make a financial living just by showing people how they live. Genius. They are going to do laundry and meals anyway, so why not? But again, two married people, raising their family in line with the Word, living debt free, not on government assistance, getting criticized because of how many kids they have. Do the older kids help with the younger kids? Of course they do! Isn't it our job as parents to raise children who can function in their adult life? Isn't is our job to teach them how to maintain a home, car, and change a diaper in case they have kids? Do we want to raise kids that think the whole world revolves around them, or do we want children that grow into adults serving others with a selfless attitude?
We know people who choose not to have any kids, and we're fine with that. We don't go around harrassing them about it all the time. We know people who have two children. Same thing. One thing we try to never say is "When are you going to have another one?" How many children a couple has is their business, and hopefully confirmed by God.
Often we don't realize how our comments can affect other people. I'm sure we have said things that have been offensive to others( and I apologize about that). Just not about their kids.....
-Terri
Monday, November 4, 2013
A week in the life...
Last week in pictures...
Sunday, our church hosted its annual fall festival, complete with games, prizes, food and face painting. Our son, quite the charmer, surprised me with this (and a hug):
Yeah, he's learning real fast! Not to be outdone by a 3rd grader, my husband came back with this:
...followed by an explosion of laughter! So did the son learn his charm from the dad, or is it the other way around? THEN.....
This little guy just stole my heart. I said, "its not even Mother's Day!'
***
Wednesday, we celebrated our 11th anniversary of farm ownership. I'm not sure if we're celebrating the debt, 11 years of debt pay-off, or the fact that we're still in the game (LOL)! Either way, its fun.
***
Thursday, we played dress-up and went visiting to all of our favorite neighbors. Some of them we didn't get to this year, hope to see you next year! Yes we "do" Halloween, but we do not celebrate evil and fear. We do make the day of many older folks who love to see the kids & their costumes.
(a Lely salesman, a farmer, a mouse, a bumblebee and an elephant)
***
Saturday we celebrated a 1st birthday with family...
Can you guess what color this kid is getting?
Finally, we attended an awesome worship celebration Saturday night with friends. The message was about listening to what God is trying to tell you, then trusting him enough to follow. We are a fearful people; it is much easier to stay where we're at instead of stepping out in faith and making a sacrifice to reap something better in our eternal life. Is God trying to tell you something? Have you been listening? Sometimes God's voice is that gut feeling you get, followed by your own voice in your head that says "No, that's not right...", "Something is wrong here..." or "I should really....(insert action)". Another pastor we know once said that you know its an idea from God if it
1) benefits someone else
2) if its something for YOU to do (not someone else)
3) if its in line with God's word
God bless you in the week ahead-
-Terri
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Market Pigs and New Digs!
Wednesday was a big day here!
In the morning we took the pigs to the butcher. That's right folks, it's harvest season! Mary and Jerry were very well-behaved....
Usually, we all go on this annual trip-but I told Rick we couldn't really take another day off of school for something so trivial. To my surprise, he called in a substitute! Mom came over and facilitated the boys while they worked on their lessons. Rick and I took the "littles" with us, and it was a nice break. We're so thankful that the hogs were healthy and made it to harvest without incident. We are very fortunate to have home grown grass fed beef, chicken, turkey and pork. Although we're taught to store up our riches in heaven, I'd be lying if I didn't admit I'm storing some up in the freezer.....
And....
The cows moved into the new barn! As I waited for them to exit the parlor and come into the barn, I took a deep breath and thought about how far we have come. The past 11 years have not always been easy, but they were so full of joy. Some of the best memories we have are from some of the most challenging issues we faced. Good times, indeed. Nope, I wouldn't trade or change any of it. God's timing is perfect, and "slow and steady wins the race".
I took some video of the cows entering the barn. They're like kids on Christmas morning! It's the same as the first day of grazing in the Spring, with the running, jumping and mooing as they check out their new surroundings. If you read this blog via email, and you want to see the video, you will have the visit the blog page itself at faithfamilyonthefarm.blogspot.com .
Video:
-Terri
In the morning we took the pigs to the butcher. That's right folks, it's harvest season! Mary and Jerry were very well-behaved....
Usually, we all go on this annual trip-but I told Rick we couldn't really take another day off of school for something so trivial. To my surprise, he called in a substitute! Mom came over and facilitated the boys while they worked on their lessons. Rick and I took the "littles" with us, and it was a nice break. We're so thankful that the hogs were healthy and made it to harvest without incident. We are very fortunate to have home grown grass fed beef, chicken, turkey and pork. Although we're taught to store up our riches in heaven, I'd be lying if I didn't admit I'm storing some up in the freezer.....
And....
The cows moved into the new barn! As I waited for them to exit the parlor and come into the barn, I took a deep breath and thought about how far we have come. The past 11 years have not always been easy, but they were so full of joy. Some of the best memories we have are from some of the most challenging issues we faced. Good times, indeed. Nope, I wouldn't trade or change any of it. God's timing is perfect, and "slow and steady wins the race".
I took some video of the cows entering the barn. They're like kids on Christmas morning! It's the same as the first day of grazing in the Spring, with the running, jumping and mooing as they check out their new surroundings. If you read this blog via email, and you want to see the video, you will have the visit the blog page itself at faithfamilyonthefarm.blogspot.com .
Video:
So, we'll cross "build a new barn'' off the list. Occasionally I say to Rick (in terms of the farm and our future) "now what?" and he says "...now we enjoy it!!!" I'll let him win this discussion-for now. -Terri
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Off the Farm
One of the most challenging aspects of dairy farming is maintaining that delicate balance between work and family. Living where you work creates special challenges. Where many people leave their place of employment and go home, we technically are always "at work". Many aspects of the business are handled in the house, including finances, phone calls, record keeping and meetings.
So just when do you quit working for the day? How do you convey the message to others that you are no longer "at work?"
We make quite an effort at keeping certain parts of the day for family time. This does not mean that we are always doing something fun with the family. This means the time is spent doing something that benefits the family. Examples would include church, meals, laundry, housework, schoolwork, or time reading or watching a documentary with the kids. This takes quite the effort to carve out this time, and sometimes it just doesn't happen. We have spent many evenings hauling hay, paying bills or going back out to finish chores. The trick is keep the big picture in mind and not let that become the new normal.
Even more difficult than carving out our own time, is conveying the message to others. People know that we are here. Even if we are "off" it is assumed that we are available for anything and everything farm related. One very cold and snowy Sunday afternoon a couple years ago, three men showed up to look at the parlor. We stalled at the door. We said "its Sunday.....we just put in a movie....chores are at 3...." but they just wouldn't budge. They said they could look at it themselves. Trying not to be rude, Rick put on his coveralls. Our parlor and milk storage is no different from other food production businesses. I doubt other businesses would let people wander around whenever it suited them, without an employee or owner present. This is just one example. There's salesmen, evening phone calls....
We've figured out that to really be "off" you have to be absent. Removing ourselves makes us immediately unavailable, and only available to those who have our number (like our hired team members and family). It also allows us to not be distracted by unfinished work that we see every time we look out the kitchen window. Ultimately we would like to be able to be off and home at the same time. This will go on the list of goals, with the steps needed to get there. Until then, I'd like to share what we did on our last weekend off.
Mom watched the kids (Thank you, Mom!!), our team members milked the cows (Thank you!!) and Rick and I stayed in Pentwater at the Hexagon House. It was an excellent stay! Matt & Sandy, the Innkeepers, were wonderful people who are obviously in their element with the B&B business. The breakfast was very tasty, the coffee always hot (and available), and the conversation intriguing. The house was warm, comfortable and clean, with many amenities to enjoy. check it out:
Hexagon House
We browsed antique shops, went biking, walked out on the piers, watched movies, enjoyed a bonfire, visited 2 state parks and the Frederik Meijer Gardens. All in 48 hours!
Thanks, Matt & Sandy, for a wonderful stay!
-Terri
So just when do you quit working for the day? How do you convey the message to others that you are no longer "at work?"
We make quite an effort at keeping certain parts of the day for family time. This does not mean that we are always doing something fun with the family. This means the time is spent doing something that benefits the family. Examples would include church, meals, laundry, housework, schoolwork, or time reading or watching a documentary with the kids. This takes quite the effort to carve out this time, and sometimes it just doesn't happen. We have spent many evenings hauling hay, paying bills or going back out to finish chores. The trick is keep the big picture in mind and not let that become the new normal.
Even more difficult than carving out our own time, is conveying the message to others. People know that we are here. Even if we are "off" it is assumed that we are available for anything and everything farm related. One very cold and snowy Sunday afternoon a couple years ago, three men showed up to look at the parlor. We stalled at the door. We said "its Sunday.....we just put in a movie....chores are at 3...." but they just wouldn't budge. They said they could look at it themselves. Trying not to be rude, Rick put on his coveralls. Our parlor and milk storage is no different from other food production businesses. I doubt other businesses would let people wander around whenever it suited them, without an employee or owner present. This is just one example. There's salesmen, evening phone calls....
We've figured out that to really be "off" you have to be absent. Removing ourselves makes us immediately unavailable, and only available to those who have our number (like our hired team members and family). It also allows us to not be distracted by unfinished work that we see every time we look out the kitchen window. Ultimately we would like to be able to be off and home at the same time. This will go on the list of goals, with the steps needed to get there. Until then, I'd like to share what we did on our last weekend off.
Mom watched the kids (Thank you, Mom!!), our team members milked the cows (Thank you!!) and Rick and I stayed in Pentwater at the Hexagon House. It was an excellent stay! Matt & Sandy, the Innkeepers, were wonderful people who are obviously in their element with the B&B business. The breakfast was very tasty, the coffee always hot (and available), and the conversation intriguing. The house was warm, comfortable and clean, with many amenities to enjoy. check it out:
Hexagon House
We browsed antique shops, went biking, walked out on the piers, watched movies, enjoyed a bonfire, visited 2 state parks and the Frederik Meijer Gardens. All in 48 hours!
Thanks, Matt & Sandy, for a wonderful stay!
-Terri
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Resiliency
Resiliency:
1: The ability of a body to regain its original size and shape after being compressed, bent or stretched.
2: An ability to recover from or adjust easily to change or misfortune.
Farmers are some of the most resilient people I know. Over the years we have been witness to or made aware of serious situations that have happened to farmers that may have compressed, bent or stretched them. Whether it was their wallet, their heart, their physical endurance or their faith, they somehow seem to recover, although I would never call it easy. For some reason farmers have an ability to see a very small light through a very narrow tunnel.
We know of farmers who have had barns burn, crops fail and cattle drop dead in the parlor after eating a rare poisonous plant. We've watched droughts and floods age farmers well beyond their years. We've had neighbors lose family members or employees in farm accidents. We've lost friends ourselves.
Many people have said to us "I don't know how you do it". We don't really understand this, because we're not sure how not to do it. How many people do you know that stay in the same career for their entire lifetime? Are you still working in the same field that you were in after college? I am. Literally.
I'm not sure what keeps these farmers going sometimes. Whether its the next milking, only 12 hours away, or the next calving, only a couple months away, the next crop....maybe we just don't have enough time to even consider quitting. I mean, you just can't stop milking the cows. You wouldn't leave that standing crop in the field. Somehow we are called to a level of responsibility that is above and beyond and involves things that just keep growing.
Last week there was a horrible freak snow storm in the Dakotas. Tens of thousands of cattle were lost in the storm. The storm came in much worse than predicted, and the cattle were caught off guard far from home. The West does not operate the same as the East. Ranches are gigantic in size with herd numbers sometimes in the thousands. It takes days to move cattle from pasture to pasture, not mere hours. The storm was surprising to so many people, but was is not surprising is the reaction, both positive and negative. The comments made on some of the articles, obviously by non-ranchers, are offensive. The actions taken by other ranchers and those in the agricultural community are more than heart warming. Here's a great blog post in response to some of those questions people were asking. When you have the time, it would be worth it to read it.
Questioning Cattle Deaths in South Dakota
News article with pictures:
Rapid City Journal
If you want to help (or be encouraged by people who are):
https://www.facebook.com/pledgeheifer
God gave me this verse today:
Isaiah 40:28
Have you never heard?
1: The ability of a body to regain its original size and shape after being compressed, bent or stretched.
2: An ability to recover from or adjust easily to change or misfortune.
Farmers are some of the most resilient people I know. Over the years we have been witness to or made aware of serious situations that have happened to farmers that may have compressed, bent or stretched them. Whether it was their wallet, their heart, their physical endurance or their faith, they somehow seem to recover, although I would never call it easy. For some reason farmers have an ability to see a very small light through a very narrow tunnel.
We know of farmers who have had barns burn, crops fail and cattle drop dead in the parlor after eating a rare poisonous plant. We've watched droughts and floods age farmers well beyond their years. We've had neighbors lose family members or employees in farm accidents. We've lost friends ourselves.
Many people have said to us "I don't know how you do it". We don't really understand this, because we're not sure how not to do it. How many people do you know that stay in the same career for their entire lifetime? Are you still working in the same field that you were in after college? I am. Literally.
I'm not sure what keeps these farmers going sometimes. Whether its the next milking, only 12 hours away, or the next calving, only a couple months away, the next crop....maybe we just don't have enough time to even consider quitting. I mean, you just can't stop milking the cows. You wouldn't leave that standing crop in the field. Somehow we are called to a level of responsibility that is above and beyond and involves things that just keep growing.
Last week there was a horrible freak snow storm in the Dakotas. Tens of thousands of cattle were lost in the storm. The storm came in much worse than predicted, and the cattle were caught off guard far from home. The West does not operate the same as the East. Ranches are gigantic in size with herd numbers sometimes in the thousands. It takes days to move cattle from pasture to pasture, not mere hours. The storm was surprising to so many people, but was is not surprising is the reaction, both positive and negative. The comments made on some of the articles, obviously by non-ranchers, are offensive. The actions taken by other ranchers and those in the agricultural community are more than heart warming. Here's a great blog post in response to some of those questions people were asking. When you have the time, it would be worth it to read it.
Questioning Cattle Deaths in South Dakota
News article with pictures:
Rapid City Journal
If you want to help (or be encouraged by people who are):
https://www.facebook.com/pledgeheifer
God gave me this verse today:
Isaiah 40:28
Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Twice a Day, However You May...
Through the years we have tried many different milking schedules. Cows, at the very least, need to be milked twice daily. Some farmers milk their cows three times per day, very few have tried four, and often some seasonal producers will back down to once per day right before dry off.
There is research that has shown that cows need to be milked every 8-12 hours; no sooner than 8 hours from the last milking, but no longer than 12 hours after the previous milking.
Growing up most of the time we milked twice per day, early morning and afternoon. For a little while we milked three times per day. During that time I was in the 8th grade I did the afternoon milking. Once, for a little while, my parents tried milking five times every two days. So on day one, there would be two milkings, and on day two there would be three. That was a scheduling nightmare!
After college, when I worked full time for my parents, I convinced them to try a 10am and 10pm milking schedule. At the time, I was doing both milkings each day with exception to my weekend off. One of my selling points was that Mom and Dad would only have eight milkings per month on this schedule (four milkings for two weekends that I was off). They gave me the go-ahead. For a week. Then they gave me the "stop". Mom said Dad was too tired. Too tired? He wasn't even milking! Turns out, he was in such a habit of getting up very early, that he still did. Then, he stayed up at night in the house until he seen that I had chores done and had gone home. I reminded him that I was an adult now, he didn't have to wait up for me....guess some habits are hard to change!
On our farm, we started with the 10 & 10 schedule. We really liked it. We got more sleep, sleeping from midnight or so until 8am....or later. We weren't milking during the hottest part of the day, the cows are grazing at dawn & dusk, and the hay got done, given that we didn't have to stop in the middle of the afternoon to milk. On Sunday morning we would just start early enough to get to church on time.
It is a bit more difficult to find hired help to milk that schedule, so we eventually went back to a more traditional 5am and 4pm. As our home school evolved, I also needed the morning for school with the kids. After baby #3, we went to a 3:30am and 3:30 pm. This fit the baby's 3 hour feeding schedule at 3am, 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, and finally midnight. We had to juggle things around as we didn't have any hired help that year. Or sleep.
No matter how we try to schedule it, there is still only 24 hours in a day. The key is finding the right one for your life right now. Problems do not arise until we become so stuck in our ways that we are not willing to change or try something else. Farmers tend to get stuck in a rut, with the reasoning of "that's the way we've always done it".
Around here, we do our best to schedule the farm around the family. Why? Because that's the way we've always done it.
I'm attempting to include a short video with some clips from the milking parlor. If you think of a great song for this clip, let me know! Summer 2012-
There is research that has shown that cows need to be milked every 8-12 hours; no sooner than 8 hours from the last milking, but no longer than 12 hours after the previous milking.
Growing up most of the time we milked twice per day, early morning and afternoon. For a little while we milked three times per day. During that time I was in the 8th grade I did the afternoon milking. Once, for a little while, my parents tried milking five times every two days. So on day one, there would be two milkings, and on day two there would be three. That was a scheduling nightmare!
After college, when I worked full time for my parents, I convinced them to try a 10am and 10pm milking schedule. At the time, I was doing both milkings each day with exception to my weekend off. One of my selling points was that Mom and Dad would only have eight milkings per month on this schedule (four milkings for two weekends that I was off). They gave me the go-ahead. For a week. Then they gave me the "stop". Mom said Dad was too tired. Too tired? He wasn't even milking! Turns out, he was in such a habit of getting up very early, that he still did. Then, he stayed up at night in the house until he seen that I had chores done and had gone home. I reminded him that I was an adult now, he didn't have to wait up for me....guess some habits are hard to change!
On our farm, we started with the 10 & 10 schedule. We really liked it. We got more sleep, sleeping from midnight or so until 8am....or later. We weren't milking during the hottest part of the day, the cows are grazing at dawn & dusk, and the hay got done, given that we didn't have to stop in the middle of the afternoon to milk. On Sunday morning we would just start early enough to get to church on time.
It is a bit more difficult to find hired help to milk that schedule, so we eventually went back to a more traditional 5am and 4pm. As our home school evolved, I also needed the morning for school with the kids. After baby #3, we went to a 3:30am and 3:30 pm. This fit the baby's 3 hour feeding schedule at 3am, 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, and finally midnight. We had to juggle things around as we didn't have any hired help that year. Or sleep.
No matter how we try to schedule it, there is still only 24 hours in a day. The key is finding the right one for your life right now. Problems do not arise until we become so stuck in our ways that we are not willing to change or try something else. Farmers tend to get stuck in a rut, with the reasoning of "that's the way we've always done it".
Around here, we do our best to schedule the farm around the family. Why? Because that's the way we've always done it.
I'm attempting to include a short video with some clips from the milking parlor. If you think of a great song for this clip, let me know! Summer 2012-
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