Taking Care of Our Own

This is a job for people in the family communities who are not working outside of the home.

Childcare:

Childcare can be provided by those who are staying home rather than working outside of the family community. This person/these people are trusted family members who love and care for all of the children.

The children tag along behind this person, and are taught how to be fruitful members of the family. They do not work like horses, and get plenty of play time. However, they also spend time learning gardening and household skills, how to care for animals and more.

The person taking care of them also does family and other gift making with the children, so they can contribute to the family in that way. They may make baked goods as gifts, ornaments, or even quilts, depending on their skills and interests.

If the children will not be attending a school, then the person staying with them may teach them at least some of their studies. Teaching, however, can be done by numerous people.

Elder Care:

The elderly still want to feel helpful, so the person caring for them will allow for this. Perhaps grandpa can collect eggs with the grandchildren, and grandma can teach the girls how to snap the beans or bake the bread.

Whatever their abilities, let them have at it if they want. Everyone deserves to feel useful.

If they cannot get out of bed, or can only sit in a chair, they can still help. Maybe they can clean fiddleheads, whittle or knit. Maybe they can write family letters.

If they are spry, they may enjoy taking the grandchildren for a walk, fishing at the pond, or even walking to the mail box. Maybe grandma still loves to work in her herb garden.

Sick Care:

This is where things can get tricky and it will be more affordable and convenient if someone is home. An ill or injured family member may need help with things. The on-site family member(s) can be expected to provide this, or to supervise a professional coming in to help if the need be.

The elders may be of some help, and so may the older children.

Payment, if necessary, does not have to be a lot of the care providers have someone else making money for their families.

Shannon

Smaller Housing, More Land

People purchase big houses on little land. Land does not seem to mean as much as it used to, when homesteading was common.

My Proposal:

More smaller housing, on more land.

What I Mean:

Bringing family together again is so important. Helping each other is also important.

If the family members go in together on a large piece of land, families can build smaller housing and come together in a new way. Think somewhere along the line of an intentional community, but with family. Everyone works toward a common goal, helping each other and providing for each other.

The Housing Split:

The Main House:

This is the big house, the one where children were raised. It is the one that elderly parents, aunts and uncles can move to when they can no longer take care of their own places. It is also the place with the wrap-around porch for rocking chairs and family evenings spent together. And with the large open kitchen and livingroom, where food preservation and family holiday celebrations are spent.

Smaller Houses:

Built as the children get married and/or have their own children. These are smaller houses, using little space. Building up and under is important to save land space. A parent’s bedroom, and no more than two other bedroom. Organization is important for space savings. Kitchen, livingroom and one bathroom.

By building smaller housing, and using the main house for large gatherings and jobs, space will be freed up for food growth and more.

Remember, space is of the utmost importance. Cluttering this space with non-essentials will not work.

Going in on this purchase together is important. With enough families, you could pay this off years in advance. If you all had money saved and could afford the land and the main house outright, this would save you tons of money in interest over the years. No loans. No mortgage. No interest.

Shannon

Are You A Single Mother Living In Maine?

Though the blog mentioned below is not necessarily geared toward Maine residents, I would like to see some single mothers from Maine participating in the community.

This is a shameless plug for my new blogging job. This is a wonderful blog with many links of concern to the single mother. I have already created quite a few categories, and I will add more over time. The categories that I have created so far are:

• Money Matters
• Pamper Yourself
• Kitchen Helpers
• Family Times
• The Teen Years
• Crafty Children
• Parenting Issues
• The WAHM
• The SAHM
• Moms in the Workforce
• Moms Having Fun
• Children and School
• Moms Homeschooling

Over time, I will add more categories and links.

I am very excited about this blog. I am a single mother, so I can bring a lot to the table.

I am looking to turn the Single Mom blog into a community for many single mothers. A place that feels like home, where we can discuss our concerns and our joys.

Join me on the blog at http://singlemom.contentquake.com/.

Shannon