The more independent and mobile your baby gets, the more attentive and flexible you need to be. I said a lot of “don’t eat that”, “that’s not ripe yet” and did a lot of diverting. I found it rewarding to spend time with her outside and teach her something new. “Here’s a dandelion. It’s yellow. Can you find me another dandelion?”.

Herbalism is one of the things that fell into my lap once I began homesteading.

I became aware of the healing power of many plants that were already growing naturally or intentionally in my garden.

It’s true that homesteading usually comes with a home. And at least an acre of property. And a big garden. And animals. And children. But do you have to have all of these things to "homestead"?

Certain aspects of my life are simpler because I choose to stay at home part-time and raise our daughter, grow and preserve food, and consume fewer new items. The ease that comes with homesteading is more of a mental sigh, a deep breath of gratitude for allowing yourself to be connected to nature, and pride for the beauty and abundance that you’ve created in reciprocity with nature.