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Hay Lofts and Dead Rats…Parenting on the Farm

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In a few days, we will pack up our trusty minivan and haul the kids across the province on a multi-stop, 7day road trip (God help me).  Our ultimate destination is my parents’ farm in southwestern Ontario.  Whenever we are there, I am reminded of how different my childhood was from my kids’.  I watch them mucking about and climbing everything, testing the limits of their physical abilities and taking risks that I’m not always comfortable with.  I know they benefit greatly from their time on the farm.  I always leave with a renewed determination to provide similar experiences here in the ‘big city’.

The rules (and my parenting style) are inexplicably different on the farm.  Proof:  below is a list of things I said to my kids on our last trip to the farm in March:

5 Things I Never Thought I’d Say To My Kids:

1 – “Yes you can have a closer look at the dead rat.”

2 – “Sure you can get closer to the (700lb) cow so you can get a better look at her tongue.”

3 – “Sure you can climb the (10ft.) ladder to play in the hay loft.”

4 – “Yes you can use those old bricks to build your ‘octopod’.  Just be careful not to drop one on your foot…or on your younger brother.”

5 – “Guys, it’s time to come inside.  Come warm up in front of the tv.”

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