The Old Folks Home

[tntchix]

Yep, I like properly raised kids.....


it was funny, I was getting feed bags from the store last week, and child #3 and 4 were with me. They were helping me, so of course they wanted to carry the bags, load up the big flat cart, and push it about. As I paid, they started out the store with the bags, I warned #4 that the cart was super heavy, and if he wanted to take it down the ramp into the parking lot, he better spin it around and go down backwards, since it would be easier to control. (I had 5 or 6 bags, 50 pounds each). It didn't look like he would do what I suggested, and he is a very skinny and tiny 8 yr old. I just shrugged. If they fell off, they would have to reload the cart, and he would learn, whatever. (there was no car in the way to crash into)

Anyway, some late 30s guy from the store offered to help them, and went out with them to help with the bags.

Bags loaded up, we get in the car, and I start to drive away, and child #3 says "WOW!!! I hate dealing with other adults! They always treat me like I am a little kid! You treat me like an adult!" Child #4 agreed.

I think the difference is that I am very clear.....in lots of things I tell them the easiest way to do it, but whatever, if they want to screw it up, it is all good. In the things that matter to me, I clearly say what may or not happen (the 8 yr old wanted to move the 50pound feed bags, I told him he doesn't get to move them until he is bigger, he only weighs 10 pounds more than the feed bag, so he does NOT get to carry them, period.) Child #3, even though he is only a coupe years older than #4 is about twice the size and weight, and does get to haul bags, but I don't let him do many or often.

The guy from the store offered to help, the kids said no thank you, they didn't want any help, and he helped them anyway. I think that is what the boys disliked.



My baby sister said something about how I am much more laid back than most parents. I do put my foot down at things that will cause death, brain injury, and eye injury. Also, I am pretty clear that if there is a risk of stitches, dismemberment, or broken bones, it really needs to be done during office hours, SO much cheaper!

I say the same thing about office hours.

I treat mine almost the same, but it's my overly-protective childhood thing that gets in the way of that. The *fear of what if* fairy likes to sit on my shoulder during those times I go off on a rant of safety.

Like you, I give the kids a heads up and if it won't kill them, I let them try it their way, then do my damnedest not to say I told you that wouldn't work.

 

[vehve]

Wisher, clearly you haven't checked out my composting thread

I've got leaves for the run, about half will go in there. Those I've dried already. It's the other half that is problematic. But I'll try the lasagna method on top of the beds, hopefully it will break down the leaves.

 

[Wisher1000]

This is a large bed in my back yard that I made using that method. I am still using compost to build it up and will add border blocks as it gets deeper. When I add twelve inches of uncomposted material, I will raise the soil level only an inch and a half, at the most. I still plant annuals so I can add layers over the winter and replant in the spring.

See my garlic along the base of the wall?!

 

[vehve]

Wisher, that's a nice looking bed.

 

[Wisher1000]

Thanks! The green leafy plants are broccoli. I planted it in two groups, two weeks apart to try to extend my harvest. Last time, we only had one day's (two meals) worth and wanted more! DS#1 and I love broccoli!

 

[vehve]

We had some cauliflower and broccoli planted, but we had planted them way too tight, they just grew about 2 feet tall and never developed anything edible, and then they were eaten by unwelcome guests, looked like someone would have fired a shotgun through the leaves.

 

[Bunnylady]

The *fear of what if* fairy likes to sit on my shoulder during those times I go off on a rant of safety.

Like you, I give the kids a heads up and if it won't kill them, I let them try it their way, then do my damnedest not to say I told you that wouldn't work.

I usually say, "Well, did we learn anything?"

I still remember being in another room and overhearing the conversation as my kids hastily cleared away the evidence of some ill-thought-out adventure. DS said, "If she sees this, you know what she's gonna do. She'll say, 'did we learn anything?' I hate it when she does that!"

Parenting. Sometimes, you can't win.

 

[vehve]

I have another question, this time about chickens coming back online after a hiatus. I just found the most ridiculous egg ever.

It weighed 11 grams. I have two possible layers for this. Either it's Veera, who hasn't laid in over three weeks, but she has been broody up until about a week ago. Or then it's Viiru, our most consistent layer, who has been laying in the 40g range, with one 29g egg at one point in between. So is it more likely that a broody coming back online laid this little fart egg, or is our top producer making strange eggs?

 

[hennible]

That's a question for Kathy

 

[ronott1]

I have another question, this time about chickens coming back online after a hiatus. I just found the most ridiculous egg ever.

It weighed 11 grams. I have two possible layers for this. Either it's Veera, who hasn't laid in over three weeks, but she has been broody up until about a week ago. Or then it's Viiru, our most consistent layer, who has been laying in the 40g range, with one 29g egg at one point in between. So is it more likely that a broody coming back online laid this little fart egg, or is our top producer making strange eggs?

First eggs after a molt are often funky. That is a wind egg or some cal them fart eggs. Often they do not have a yolk. It takes them a couple of weeks but they usually

Lay larger eggs
lay darker eggs that get lighter over the laying cycle
Lay less eggs because egg laying starts dropping after the first year
The eggs are usually less viscous. Old hens can start laying watery eggs.