When raising kids on the farm, some tasks are too dangerous or difficult to accomplish with kiddos in tow. Having their grandparents to tag along or play with is a blessing for many farm families, as it helps those working on the farm accomplish what needs to be done, while also providing incredible bonding and life lessons for the young ones and their grandparents.
While it’s a joy for parents and their children to go about farm work together, the relationship between the grandparents and grandchildren on the farm is truly one of a kind. From tagging along in the chopper, watching a new calf being born with grandpa, washing calf bottles, or taking a four-wheeler ride with grandma, there are so many ways little ones can enjoy time with their grandparents on the farm. Plus, our kids get to learn important life lessons and values from their grandparents’ who understand the meaning of family, responsibility, and hard work.
We are fortunate enough to work with my parents on the dairy farm daily, allowing our children to see them regularly and engage with them throughout the day. My in-laws also farm and never hesitate to come to hang out with our kids when we need some more dedicated babysitting time. Oftentimes, when they’re helping watch our kids, we’ll find them bringing treats to the horses, walking through the barn to check the cows, or hanging out on the deck blowing bubbles.
In my eyes, the ability to have our kids on the farm with us is truly the biggest benefit of the farming lifestyle. It would be way more difficult with such young children if we didn’t have the extra help and support from their loving grandparents. Not only is it nice for our kids to get to hang out with their grandparents regularly, but it’s equally (if not more) meaningful for the older generation on the farm. Having little ones around may make their days look a little different, but I can guarantee those routine day-to-day tasks are made even brighter and much more entertaining with their sweet grandchildren tagging along.
I’m so appreciative of all the farming grandparents who work hard every day to help the farm thrive, while also spending precious time with the little kids who love and admire them so very much.
The author dairy farms with her parents and brother near Hawkeye, Iowa. The family milks approximately 300 head of grade Holstein cows at Windsor Valley Dairy LLC — split half and half between a double-eight parallel milking parlor and four robotic milking units. In the spring of 2020, Molly decided to take a leap and fully embrace her love for the industry by returning full time to her family’s dairy.
