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Family Homesteading: The Ultimate Guide to Self-Sufficiency for the Whole Family
Whether you and your family are planning to take the big plunge and live off the grid, or you just want to make the best use of your backyard, here is practical advice and hands-on projects for the self-sufficient family that wants to go back to basics. In an increasingly digital world, families are looking for ways to deepen their connection to one another and to the land. Family Homesteading is a guide to a simpler life, one that integrates children into the daily work of creating a sustainable homestead. From gardening and cooking, to herbalism and natural crafts, Family Homesteading shares stories and hands-on projects that will deepen relationships and build self-sufficiency skills. Teri Page, author of the popular Homestead Honey blog, moved with her husband across country with young children to build their off-the-grid homestead on raw land. Together, they garden, forage, preserve foods, raise chickens, homeschool, and so much more. Perfect for homeschooling families or anyone working with or raising kids, readers will learn how to involve children in dozens of homesteading projects. Learn how
208 pages, Paperback
Published October 16, 2018
16 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 2, 2020
4 for inspiration.... 3 for practicality....5 for some pretty entertaining stories interspersed within.....including one hysterical doozy about giving a 2yo child their first knife and having them prepare their own fruit salad within months
December 20, 2018
I purchased my copy, signed by the author, via Etsy. I was not compensated for my review.
Family Homesteading: The Ultimate Guide to Self- Sufficiency for the Whole Family by Teri Page is just that: an ultimate guide. And she lives what she writes. After learning about sustainable living in Oregon, she and her husband, Brian along with their children aged 4 and 2, moved to Missouri. The started in wall-style tents while hand building their off-grid 350 square foot home. No electricity for the first year and a half and no running water plus 10 acres of raw land provided an excellent opportunity to “live the life”.
Many people are reluctant to begin a new chapter of homesteading because of their children, especially young children. Teri and Brian have proven that a homesteading life can actually be more beneficial than one considered the new ‘traditional’. Her children, even at the age of 2 and 4, found ways to be helpful, not a hinderance, around the homestead.
The first chapter addresses the challenges and benefits of homesteading with children from babies to teens. Guidance provided is doable for just about everyone. Using wraps or soft backpacks to carry your young children while harvesting crops and working in the garden. Ideas on how toddlers can help in the kitchen, in the garden and with (smaller) livestock are plentiful. Many homesteaders also homeschool, as Teri did, but public/private schools are an option too. Teens can learn so much more on a homestead than playing video games all day. How many teens know what to harvest and how to plan a meal around that harvest?
Cooking, foraging and fermenting are addressed in chapters two to four and each provide a Homestead Family Profile of others who live the life. Teri asked some how homesteading with children evolved from their first forays into homesteading to today. Of another she asked if teaching kids how to forage for food in nature is recommended. Others provided examples of how their various children of various ages help out around the homestead. Combined they offer examples and suggestions but not strict rules as to how to include your children in the homestead.
The next three chapters look at gardening, caring for animals and preparedness. Each provide two different family profiles. One area of controversy is allowing children to help in the butchering of animals. Many adults have difficulty with the activity themselves and couldn’t imagine including their children. While I am a meat eater, I don’t think I could go so far as to hunt then butcher or raise an animal for slaughter. Her valid reason for including children is completely logical – the circle of life. Everything that is born eventually dies. With love comes loss. Learning to respect life and honor life even throughout the butchering process is invaluable lesson. She provides her reasoning but does not make a judgement against those who might disagree.
Most homesteads lean more towards natural healing and her chapter on herbal wellness addresses this. She goes over some herbs to grow to treat various illnesses and provides directions how to make salves, cold care syrup and a sweet dream pillow. These are all activities kids can help with and have fun at the same time!
I’m looking forward to trying out her homestead crafting ideas!! Making a corn husk doll, making ink from black walnuts, beeswax dipped leaves and ice lanterns. Next years holiday cards might be signed and addressed using my own black walnut ink! Awesome!!!
Her final chapters look at homestead-based businesses and homeschooling. There are many businesses appropriate for homesteads. Obvious ones include selling eggs, young animals and vegetables. Less obvious ones include herbal remedies, homemade soaps, candles and other craft items. There are many options for homeschooling, religion based and non-religion based. Be sure to check with your state’s rules and regulations before spending a lot on a particular program. Requirements vary state to state.
Her final chapter provides numerous additional resources for general homesteading and chapter specific suggestions. Teri has relied on what worked and didn’t work for family as well as other families. Her book and website suggestions can surely answer most any question you still have.
I don’t actually have children but her book is an excellent resource and rounds off my collection of homesteading books nicely.
Family Homesteading: The Ultimate Guide to Self- Sufficiency for the Whole Family by Teri Page is just that: an ultimate guide. And she lives what she writes. After learning about sustainable living in Oregon, she and her husband, Brian along with their children aged 4 and 2, moved to Missouri. The started in wall-style tents while hand building their off-grid 350 square foot home. No electricity for the first year and a half and no running water plus 10 acres of raw land provided an excellent opportunity to “live the life”.
Many people are reluctant to begin a new chapter of homesteading because of their children, especially young children. Teri and Brian have proven that a homesteading life can actually be more beneficial than one considered the new ‘traditional’. Her children, even at the age of 2 and 4, found ways to be helpful, not a hinderance, around the homestead.
The first chapter addresses the challenges and benefits of homesteading with children from babies to teens. Guidance provided is doable for just about everyone. Using wraps or soft backpacks to carry your young children while harvesting crops and working in the garden. Ideas on how toddlers can help in the kitchen, in the garden and with (smaller) livestock are plentiful. Many homesteaders also homeschool, as Teri did, but public/private schools are an option too. Teens can learn so much more on a homestead than playing video games all day. How many teens know what to harvest and how to plan a meal around that harvest?
Cooking, foraging and fermenting are addressed in chapters two to four and each provide a Homestead Family Profile of others who live the life. Teri asked some how homesteading with children evolved from their first forays into homesteading to today. Of another she asked if teaching kids how to forage for food in nature is recommended. Others provided examples of how their various children of various ages help out around the homestead. Combined they offer examples and suggestions but not strict rules as to how to include your children in the homestead.
The next three chapters look at gardening, caring for animals and preparedness. Each provide two different family profiles. One area of controversy is allowing children to help in the butchering of animals. Many adults have difficulty with the activity themselves and couldn’t imagine including their children. While I am a meat eater, I don’t think I could go so far as to hunt then butcher or raise an animal for slaughter. Her valid reason for including children is completely logical – the circle of life. Everything that is born eventually dies. With love comes loss. Learning to respect life and honor life even throughout the butchering process is invaluable lesson. She provides her reasoning but does not make a judgement against those who might disagree.
Most homesteads lean more towards natural healing and her chapter on herbal wellness addresses this. She goes over some herbs to grow to treat various illnesses and provides directions how to make salves, cold care syrup and a sweet dream pillow. These are all activities kids can help with and have fun at the same time!
I’m looking forward to trying out her homestead crafting ideas!! Making a corn husk doll, making ink from black walnuts, beeswax dipped leaves and ice lanterns. Next years holiday cards might be signed and addressed using my own black walnut ink! Awesome!!!
Her final chapters look at homestead-based businesses and homeschooling. There are many businesses appropriate for homesteads. Obvious ones include selling eggs, young animals and vegetables. Less obvious ones include herbal remedies, homemade soaps, candles and other craft items. There are many options for homeschooling, religion based and non-religion based. Be sure to check with your state’s rules and regulations before spending a lot on a particular program. Requirements vary state to state.
Her final chapter provides numerous additional resources for general homesteading and chapter specific suggestions. Teri has relied on what worked and didn’t work for family as well as other families. Her book and website suggestions can surely answer most any question you still have.
I don’t actually have children but her book is an excellent resource and rounds off my collection of homesteading books nicely.
August 20, 2019
Really enjoyed this book! Great for the curious or wanting to slowly dip your toes into homesteading! I appreciate seeing first hand accounts of how children mesh into the homestead chores and what they like/dislike.
May 23, 2019
Very minimal and basic
December 4, 2021
Great practical ideas to do with the family. I just wish they had interviewed more larger families and how homesteading looks with the cycles of introducing a baby somewhat more frequently
March 5, 2022
A good starter book, though I wished it had gone a little more in depth on many of the topics.
February 17, 2024
What a great way to show how your children can be introduced to self- confidence by giving them the opportunity to be stewarts of libing creatures.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews