Homesteading & Homeschooling - The Struggle is REAL~

Everyday life on a real homestead while homeschooling kids... it is what it is. Do your best. Set your goals and when you fail, learn from it and get back up! Hope you enjoy! xo
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[@sheilasmith2053]

My Mom always told us, "Do what you can and leave the rest." That advice has been golden to me over the years and I have passed it on to my daughter. It keeps you from stressing.

[@wandamg8921]

Confession: I LOVE seeing other people's homes needing to be picked up, dishes done, etc. It makes me just relax. Guess I'm just addicted to reality - real people, real homes, families, etc. The chores get done when they get done.

[@julieselden7932]

We have had a farm for over 20 years, I have a 10 year old special needs daughter that I home school! It has been hard! Your's is the first real video I have seen on how life really is down on the farm! I spend most of my time doing math and reading! I make sure she has at least an hour of it every day. I also think that it is just as important that she learn how to take care of herself on the farm! I will count that as some of her science. She also helps with the cooking, cleaning, baking, sewing, and canning I count all of that as home ec. I try to show her how she needs math for almost everything she does! This includes feeding the animals! She must figure out how much feed we will need, how big the pen must be ect,,, I will say a lot of my home schooling is done while working on something else! As we are cooking or baking we may do a science experiment while we wait! You are so very right about things no always being perfect, but then life is not always perfect! Thanks I feel so much better knowing that I am not the only one that can not get it all done!

[@dirtpatcheaven]

Yes! If we don't do up a video on occasion showing the downside then we do other mothers who are thinking about doing it are fed an unkind lie! It is important what we do but it is hard work without the moral support of an old fashioned community! Loved the video!

[@appalachiashomesteadwithpatara]

+dirtpatcheaven Keep up the good work over there! XO ~ Patara

[@ti2gr475]

I just homeschool, not homestead, and sometimes I get overwhelmed. It is nice to hear that others feel the same and that we all need to give ourselves a break.

[@MyHomesteadingProjectChannel]

Love this. My sink is full of dishes, I have laundry piling up, need to do a science experiment with the boys but that will all have to wait till after I run to town. It is not easy but it is my life and most of the time I love it.

[@thefreylife]

"You just keep pressing forth out there" Wise words, my friend! Thank you for this encouraging video today Patara! Even though I don't have a homestead, or a child, or even a kitchen sink at this season of life, I am saying AMEN to all that you said! I think Your message of reality is applicable to so many lives- including the life of living with Cystic Fibrosis. My hair is a wreck, my bags are still packed from our trip, and all over the floor, I have missed a day of medicines, I need to go grocery shopping, and oh sister, the list goes on...but as you said, you just keep pressing forth! Thanks again for your encouragement!

[@lovebugzz6190]

🖒❤

[@mountainmama7155]

Patera, I know this is an old video,but it encourages me! I have 11 children,on a homestead,and get discouraged alot. Thank you for encouraging me❤

[@leahraisingbushs]

I always tell people that most of what you see on youtube and blogs are our "highlight reels" OR are setup pictures and videos. Self Sufficient (or being as much as possibly) is not always easy but its definitely worth it. I always try to "reset" my house once a week but honestly, sometimes it only ends up getting done once a month. Different seasons of life are busier than others and things change as our kids grow. In the past I was a big perfectionist when it came to cleaning, our homeschool schedule, planning, etc until we had our younger two, which included a sick child with lots of appts, and I started understanding that sometimes it more about finding a balance and being ok with that.

[@Chickenfoothomestead]

AMEN Sister! You hit it perfectly. We have to pick our battles everyday. Real homesteaders do not have perfect homes, gardens or barns and we don't eat homemade-from scratch elaborate dinners every night. Thank you for posting this, a dose of reality this morning!

[@StBernardAcres]

I couldn't imagine embarking on this journey at a younger age and with young children. I have the utmost respect for those that try it and are successful. I don't think I'd be capable of it. And, it ain't just the homesteading kitchen that finds dirty dishes in the sink lol. That's what the sink was made for lol. Good, honest, poignant view of the chosen lifestyle. Kudos for this video!

[@lauraayars5234]

This is why I find state homeschool laws are so frustrating... I wish they knew the type of stress/strain those standards and such put on families... I read in the little house books that ma sent the kids to school at times, she educated them herself at times, or maybe not at all! According to what the farm/household needed. She was ALLOWED. There are LOTS of things that kids need to learn that have NOTHING to do with BOOKS!!

[@horseypeeps5382]

Raised/raising 3 kiddos... thought being able to do that, I could do anything. Now in a blended family... we have 6 total... two of them are girls! ( I knew nothing about raising girls!!!) Anyway... Reality rarely ever looks like what people (us included) tries to portray to the rest of the world. Thank you for allowing us all to see your reality... speaking from someone trying to get back to a homesteading styled life... it helps. - AJ

[@OurTinyHomestead]

thank God I thought I was the only one that had the dirty dishes all the time. LOL we to homeschool I have 5 kids so I know what it's like. and you are so right things don't always work out for you but when it does it makes you feel like your on top of the world and nothing can go wrong! that's until reality slaps you in the the face and something does go wrong and you try to figure out how to fix it.

[@HeyJoshome]

this was wonderful! I don't home school yet but would love to we have one 12 yr that's struggling terribly and has since first grade. We both work up and out the door at 5:30 back at four but exhausted. And now my mom has been diagnosed with dementia so my sisters and I go to all her appointments now. This in the middle of us trying to get the house ready to sell and get out to our new 6 ac and work out there. just glad to see the struggle is across the board and I am not failing. also I have one more layer of apples to go in my 40 lb box I just keep looking at them as I go buy thinking I gotta to that too.

[@stlouislegrands]

Saw your channel is one OFF GRID WITH DOUG AND STACY subscribe to so decided to check it out. BOY AM I GLAD I DID! As a homeschool mom who doesn't homestead...YET...hoping to be making that move within the next year I so needed to hear this. This is REAL LIFE...and sometimes it's hard not to beat yourself up for having a messy house, etc. Thank you so much for putting things in perspective! Love your videos and have learned so much already!

[@TheDawn0310]

Thank you for the honesty! We all seem to want to give the allusion that we have it handled but if we were more real we would realize how much we are not alone. I couldn't imagine trying to homestead and homeschool at the same time. I have been forced to learn my limits due to health issues and just growing older. It frustrating but I just have to accept what I can and cannot do. Thank you for being real!!!

[@ALWAYSLIVEIT]

You are truly living the life, not a made up reality show !!! As the song says " Life Happens".I have several great grandchildren, and believe me if i have to choose between their needs and keeping the kitchen clean, the will get cleaned later!! Joy

[@stephanieduston7490]

Absolutely, unequivocally.....LOVE this video!! I thank you for, "keeping it real" and look forward to catching up on all your previous videos.

[@appalachiashomesteadwithpatara]

+Stephanie Duston Thank you!

[@NS-pf2zc]

I love how you say simple is not simple. My husband and I are working towards a "simpler" life. But we know, know in our bones, this won't be "simple" as in easier, but better as a whole. More simplistic in morals, in essence, in reality. The complications of life will be for reality based, instead of the fluff you see in "normal" life. Love it.

[@mc6977]

I am a 28 year old wife and mom of two and I am considering this lifestyle and have been contemplating this lifestyle for YEARS. Im at the point where I have got to choose ao that I can start living and investing in something! I have been interested in homeschooling for YEARS, I have been interested in sustainability since, forever, since I spent the summers in the Kentucky country at friends' farms. So thank you for being so upfront! I LOVE this- first video I've seen of yours. props.

[@emilymurphy7752]

Patara. This is where I first met you. It is snowing today (I'm sure it is there too) I was reminiscing the snow last year... and how far we have come since then in our homestead journey. Thank you so much for your inspiration and for your realistic descriptive videos. ❤ from the Murphys!

[@Legend0222]

Watching this video I definitely agree with everything you were saying I worked for years at a horse barn and nothing ever goes as planned, life on the farm you definitely have to learn to go with the flow, something many people have forgotten.

[@catvionette9680]

Thank you for your honesty. I really appreciate how you help us see what is truly important. Some of us put too much pressure on ourselves.

[@edenelston7668]

😂 I've watched this video every time I wake up overwhelmed to a messy kitchen because I've chosen to do work in the garden, groom animals, or maybe actually spend some face to face time with my kids! Keeps me encouraged to keep on doing what I'm doing. Thanks for being so genuine, Patara.

[@katchat921]

Thank you Patara for keeping it real. I don't feel alone now. Thank you! We love your videos and we appreciate what your doing.

[@stitchyreispeices]

we are always fed the romanticized version of things now days. thanks for sharing the reality!

[@Homesteadhow]

Great video, thanks for sharing! We have triplets plus one here and every day is a struggle. I appreciate your post. P.S Love your cat :)

[@bigcountry1009]

Great video. We jumped into home schooling 3 kids this year as well along with gardens goats and chickens. I only have 2 expectations of my sweety. Make sure all 3 kids are alive and make sure the house doesn't burn down. We'll get the rest as it comes to us.

[@jeanlee1911]

hi the Frey life sent me. I am a homeschooler for the last 23 years my last one ( HS 4 one is autistic) is homeschooling now. I agree. I don't homestead but in the early season of homeschooling we lived in the country. now I'm a single mom and I work but I do what I can. things may not get done but it is what it is. Thanks for saying what I have always thought. you have a new fan.

[@thefreylife]

+Jean Lee So glad you could come over and be encouraged by Patara!

[@jeanlee1911]

Thanks for the hard work on your channel on top of the hard work on the homestead.

[@homesteadinarental]

Bless your heart! Love this video! Greetings from the foothills in NC!!!!

[@wisteria6909]

That was very helpful. Thanks for this video I don't feel so bad now not getting everything done:)

[@BitsOfThisNThat]

So true. Thanks for putting it out there honestly. I thin it's little at a time. One foot in front of the other. Buy a pressure cooker and canning jars. Start a garden. Then do a rain barrel or two. Then, well you get the point. Baby steps to homesteading if you have to. You'll get there slowly , comfortably , and learn to do one thing at a time to ease you into it. Great Video.

[@ItsyFarm]

A down to Earth reality check. Thank you. I'm a Type 'A' personality and I'm having to force myself to be more patient and to understand that although I THINK I'm superman, I'm not...and there are limits to what I can do and how fast I can do it. Yep, I'm learnin'...!

[@rachelclute9384]

this is great! thank you! we just welcomed baby #5 and I dried up my goats before she came, I've really neat myself up about that for lots of reasons, but your so right! right now my focus is my new baby, schooling my children and family bonding.

[@The_heirloomgardener]

The struggle is absolutely REAL!! You Go Momma!

[@Jaxence]

I've had a sick alpaca all week, and my house looks like it. My laundry is clean, but stacked on a sofa. Dinner was leftover pancakes and bacon. We managed to get our school work done, and kept the fire going. There are definitely dishes in my sink.

[@appalachiashomesteadwithpatara]

+Jaxence Sounds like a real homestead! xo

[@jsfarms2004]

love your honesty, picking and choosing is one of the greatest realities. it is over whelming at times but so rewarding in the end, the homesteading lifestyle is in my opinion is the greatest life to have. Happy homesteading girl!!!

[@MrsDanny07]

Two words: Thank you! My reality: 5 children (ages 3mo to 8 years); homeschooling; bought a small farm last year and moved in 2 1/2 months before the baby was born; no animals or garden this year. I hate going to the store and purchasing foods that I've grown and/ or canned in the past, but there was no way anything "farm-y" was going to happen this year. Thanks for the "reality check"! :-)

[@rav8947]

Good job with the video! That is why I watch you, dirt patch heaven, jnull0, our half acre homestead, and wranglerstar on a regular basis. You guys talk about the realty of homesteading.

[@Annie.xx-xx]

Thank you so much patara xx🐓🐤🐑🐕🐄🐺

[@IslandExoticsHomestead]

Excellent video Patara! Keep on keepin' on!

[@appalachiashomesteadwithpatara]

+Tracy Good xo

[@planetbob4709]

I remember my dad talking about growing up "on the farm" and I always thought even the kids had chores to do to help move things along.

[@Rickugg]

Hello: Great info. I talk to my friend that has 1700 acres and over 300 black cows, every day is a challenge. Two days ago he said you know how long it takes to bush hog a 100 acres even with a 16 foot wide bush hog. To top it off he hit something and had a flat. I have a new friend. He's black and big as a dog, but its a cat. A person came to visit and when they open the door to leave it was standing about 30 feet away. 5 years ago I open the door and there was a mountain lion about 75 feet from me. I don't live back in the mountains, I only live 200 feet from the 6 lane interstate. I look out at 2:00 AM last week and there 4 deer in the front yard.

[@smgrignon]

Great video. I never comment but just wanted to say thank you for being honest. Life is messy and the interest makes it look like it's not. Big fan here, keep up the good work.

[@HomesteadingGirl]

Yes! You either get work done outside or you get work done inside. It's never all done at once. It can be so overwhelming at times! Reality. :)

[@rickballard1627]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@chance2311]

this is the most true and supportive video I have ever seen

[@weepingwillowhomestead]

Thank you thank you thank you! So often I feel like I am failing because I didn't get it all done. But it is impossible. House, garden, laundry, home schooling a 1st grader and preschooler while a 10 month old tries to nurse and play with the school work. Yep. My house is a mess. Or my garden didn't do great this year. Or we skipped school and watched youtube videos all day. That is just real life. And its going to be ok.

[@froggleggers1805]

Keeping it real, good video Gal. btw, kinda like your morning hair, lol.

[@appalachiashomesteadwithpatara]

+froggleggers haha! Thanks for watching!~

[@ruby71975]

Thank you for this video, you are SO right on. One of the hardest things to accept as a mom is I can not be everywhere at once. Choosing what is priority for the day is key. We just had to replace our chickens (we only had 20) because three raccoon's found a way to get in to the coop. Our priority now is moving the coop and run for our new babies and making it raccoon proof!

[@kre8abtrpace]

I absolutely love this video! I'm an empty nester that started my family early and started my homestead late. :) We literally just moved to our homestead. Part of the reason we jumped in is because of folks like you. Permission to fail and then fail less, until we get it right. Thanks for all the uplifting and reality based truth! By the way, I have a stack of dishes in my sink RIGHT NOW. I am at my full time job and have a ton of chores to do when I get home and couldn't be happier.

[@VetealaChingada]

Keep on keeping it real. God will continue to strengthen and sustain you.

[@bettylandsaw6589]

I am visually impaired and things are a little harder than they use to be. But I love my chicks and garden, and I love you

[@justahomesteadingdream2059]

One of the best videos I have seen in a while! Reality in homesteading/schooling

[@appalachiashomesteadwithpatara]

+Just A Homesteading Dream Thank you!

[@americaneden3090]

at around minute 3 theres a Mr. Peaches cameo over ur shoulder 💖😍 LOVE EVERY ASPECT OF THIS VIDEO!

[@danieldunlap4916]

thank you so much!!! this is exactly EXACTLY what I needed to hear this morning!!!!

[@workinonit9562]

Very true words, just do what you can and don't worry about what others think you should do. Looks to me like you are doing a fine job with your family and homestead. Good video.

[@atheniawoods9585]

Wow I’m that person watching all the prepping people and saying I have to do that I have to make that smoker I have to plant that apple tree n things in my area this can’t work and I feel like a failure n I’m not going to make it I’m trying to learn when to plant things I’m trying to learn to can I’m trying to raise a 13-year-old and a eight month old and I’m pregnant now trying all these things NOW BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THE WORLD Is so uncertain that I HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT !!! So thank u for helping me with these thoughts n understanding of which n what should come first

[@bobbiebird2175]

I appreciate your honesty and I wish you a ggod day!

[@barbara-pigeonbray4579]

You are the real deal , Patara ... Enjoy the journey .

[@judydoshier1114]

I love it that your so practical 😊 Thank you for sharing.

[@alliteel4563]

I love your videos! thank you for being real and honest.

[@randombrandum1789]

❤😊😂love it! This is the life, and we are so blessed

[@Alison-xu7ll]

Thank you for this!

[@greatdanerescuemom1]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bettylandsaw6589]

Thank you for keeping it real. Now I don’t feel so bad for mysink full of dishes

[@GrannyPrissy]

Thank you for being real.

[@TealHouseFarm]

Thank you so much for sharing honestly! I was just struggling today to finish spring home school plans on time for our oldest. It's a struggle to keep up with the three h's: homestead, homeschool, and the home. I feel like I can always keep two above water each day and then totally drop the ball on the third! But I wouldn't trade this life for anything, no matter how hard it is :-) Looking forward to perusing some more of your homeschooling (and homesteading) vlogs for ideas! ~ Laura

[@AbagailNormale]

Thank you I know Im not perfect.

[@essemsween818]

The people who's channels I've subscribed to and who I enjoy watching most, are The Mrs Volfie at Our Half Acre Homestead and yourself. I respect your honesty about homestead life, and whether your primary purpose or idea was to record the new life as family history, or to educate fencesitters, you do no-one any favours by only showing the sunny days; with puffy white clouds drifting across an azure sky as you sit with your immaculately dressed (in crisply ironed, clean ) clothed children on a gingham tablecloth eating the picnic you freshly prepared for them. I would rather watch you in your pyjamas with a mornings worth of dirty dishes telling the truth, or Bev, having a really bad hair day breaking her heart because despite their best efforts a critter got in the bird coop and decimated it! than all the made up, perfectly homed, no drought round here's all over you tube who are either only there to sell us stuff - literally or to polish their own ego's. You spend time with your boys, teaching them SO much more than the capital of Wherever. You & your husband may be teaching boys, but you're teaching them to be men! To conserve not waste, to appreciate not take for granted, to husband their resources, to prepare for tomorrow by working today, the absolute value in getting your hands dirty with good, clean, hard work. Stay in your jimjams, just pull your wellies on over them. Trust yourself you've got the right idea. 💕

[@megroux]

Love this and needed to hear it today❤

[@summerr7120]

Truth bomb right here!! Love it!!

[@homesteadinginappalachia4579]

I cook most meals on rainy days and then i can eat left overs and easy meals when im too busy to cook. 🙏

[@mabbshawn3268]

Well sh-ait. I cried laughing. That's how this works.Just had a "discussion" with my wife about dishes - damn dirty fools. This is a life, that most just don't get, but they call me lazy. BTW, I don't know what 5,6,7,8,9, or 10am looks like. Well, I do, but our place dosen't have a cow that needs milking. Great video....Subbed. :)

[@roerinaci]

Great video and very honest..Thanks for sharing :)

[@tomaswilson2792]

so true! well done

[@ambersmith7854]

Love it. The Frey life fam sent me.

[@appalachiashomesteadwithpatara]

+Amber Smith Awesome! xoxo

[@MrKmanIce]

Two steps forward, one step back. Two steps forward, o n e s t e p b a c k! Life is a dance; worry less about the steps and enjoy the music.

[@Evergreenlace]

right!! I've never understood why it was called "simple living" lol

[@jordanrenaud-pq7rx]

You have the luckiest kids in the country! Hope they realise that.

[@ethelblood2192]

Love it

[@laurabrowning924]

Mr Peaches! We miss seeIng you!

[@toedancer1148]

Truth here, Up side, you get to decide what will and won't get done. Hay! my chickens have eaten well many a times. HaHa

[@bucktoothbettysboyfriend11]

HOME STEADSTEAD KIDS SENT ME HERE.

[@pamelabratton2501]

let's hear it for UNITE studies! a .. been there, done that! not doing that again!

[@RainDancer1013]

Well said :)

[@magz0626]

what happens when a cast iron rusts? is there a way to refire or reseason it?

[@otisgetman6074]

Not planting, it's not failure, it's fallow. lol Will you be making some more milking song's videos?

[@appalachiashomesteadwithpatara]

+Otis Getman Coming up! xo

[@otisgetman6074]

+Appalachia's Homestead, ;-) I'll be waiting. Thank you for your awesome videos and God bless you and your's.

[@penneysautomotiverepairsin5768]

I understand the hard work and I even understand having things that are not priorities for the sake of having a different hobby or beautification of the homestead. But what does a butterfly garden add to a homestead or farm? It seems mowing the butterfly garden is an added chore you may not need or a priority not very high on the homestead. Am I missing something here?

[@appalachiashomesteadwithpatara]

+Penney's Automotive Service Center Inc. You don't mow a butterfly garden. They are bushes and added perennials here. They are purposely planted to attract pollinators... bees in particularly. If you don't have pollinators... you pretty much don't eat. Thanks for watching!

[@jbirdyhome-4050]

Martha Stewart does not live here!!!