Your pasture is ready and your fencing is up—now let’s talk shelter, gear, and what your milking space really needs to look like.

In Part 2 of our Homestead Dairy series, we’re digging into the practical setup: shelter, milking areas, must-have gear, and how to choose the right equipment for your setup. Whether you’re planning to hand milk or invest in a system, this episode is all about making your space functional, comfortable, and sustainable for the long haul.

Main Themes/Topics Covered:

• Shelter Needs – 3-sided shelters, milking spaces, and how to prep for storms and winter weather.

• Gear You Actually Need – From buckets and teat dip to strainers and towels.

• Milking Methods – Pros and cons of hand milking vs. mechanical systems (and what we use in a pinch).

• Next Steps – Researching breeds, sourcing healthy animals, and preparing for the right cow for your family are coming in the next episode.

Adding a cow means building systems that work for you. Start small, start smart, and create a setup that honors your capacity and grows with your homestead.

Got questions about milking setups or starting a micro dairy? I’d love to help. Email me at connect@SimplyLivingHomestead.com and let’s chat—it’s free.

So, you're dreaming of fresh milk, homemade butter, and a cow in your pasture—but are you really ready for what that takes?

In this Homestead Dairy series, we’re breaking down everything you need to think through before your cow ever arrives. This episode focuses on the daily time commitment, what it really means to add a dairy rhythm to your life, and how to prepare your land, pasture, and fencing. If you’re in the dreaming or planning stage, start here to avoid overwhelm and burnout down the road.

This is a 4 Part series, But because I am a talker, Episode 1 is broken into 2 Parts, so now its a 5 part series! See you next week for the second part of "How to Prepare for a Dairy Cow"

Main Themes/Topics Covered:

• The Daily Commitment – Why dairy is a lifestyle, not just an animal.

• Time Boundaries – Milking means showing up every day, no matter the weather or holiday.

• Land & Fencing Prep – How much pasture you need, fencing options, and hay planning for winter.

• Real Talk on Self-Sufficiency – Why your cow will shape your daily life and how to prepare your mindset before she arrives.

If you’ve been dreaming of a milk cow, this is where you begin. Let’s talk about what you really need to be ready for the work and joy of dairy life.

Got questions or need help thinking through your setup? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at connect@SimplyLivingHomestead.com

Have you ever walked away from a parenting moment thinking… “That’s not the kind of mom I want to be”?

Yeah. Me too.

In this episode, I want to open up about how we’re learning to speak life—not shame—over our son.

Words carry power—especially in motherhood. Today, we’re talking about the impact our language has on our children, particularly when the days are hard and emotions run high. I’m sharing a raw look into our family’s story: how we moved from yelling and seeking control to choosing connection and understanding. Through occupational therapy, mindset shifts, and a whole lot of grace, we’ve learned to approach parenting with a new heart—and new tools. If you’ve ever felt stuck in reaction mode or grieved the way you responded, this one’s for you.

Main Themes/Topics Covered:

• Honest reflections on parenting before the shift: yelling, reacting, and seeking control
• Eye-opening moments through our child’s neurodivergent diagnosis
• How occupational therapy changed the way we parent—and see our child
• The powerful mindset shift from control to connection, and shame to support
• Practical tools we’ve adopted: time-ins, emotional regulation, helpful scripts, and sensory awareness
• Encouragement for the mom who’s trying, failing, learning, and trying again

Mama, if your heart feels heavy today, I want you to hear this: you’re not alone, and you’re not failing. You’re learning. You’re growing. Your voice—gentle, grounded, and grace-filled—has the power to shape your child’s world in beautiful ways.

If this episode spoke to you, would you share it with another mama who needs the reminder?

I’d love to hear your heart. Your struggles, your questions, your victories. Send me a note at connect@SimplyLivingHomestead.com—you’re not walking this alone

Find Me Online:

🌿 Website: www.SimplyLivingHomestead.com

🌿 Facebook & Instagram: @thesimplylivinghomestead