What happens when your child grows up… and chooses to stay?

In this episode of the Everyday Homesteading podcast, I’m joined by my oldest daughter, Rachel, as we share the story behind her and her husband’s decision to stay close to home and build a tiny house right here on our homestead.

We’re talking about what it really looks like to build a life near family in today’s world—from navigating independence and boundaries to learning how to work together as separate households with a shared vision.

Rachel also shares honestly about her experience growing up on a homestead, what made her want to stay, and what it’s been like adjusting to off-grid living (including the parts that aren’t so glamorous).

If you’ve ever wondered what multi-generational homesteading could look like—or if it’s even possible—this conversation will give you a real, behind-the-scenes look.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Rachel and her husband chose to stay on the homestead
• What it’s like building and living in a tiny home on family land
• The reality of off-grid living (and the biggest adjustment!)
• How we’re creating independence while living close together
• A new take on the “family economy” and shared homesteading life
• Why communication is the foundation of making this lifestyle work

Read the full blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/why-our-daughter-chose-to-stay-close-to-home/

Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast! If you'd like to give their products a try, use the coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" for 15% off your entire order (one time use per customer), and know they have a two-year warranty on all their products!: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens

TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Chit Chat
4:29 - American Blossom Linens
6:28 - Main Topic

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MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.

Canning safety can feel overwhelming, especially when you hear all the warnings and conflicting advice out there. But what if it’s actually much simpler than you think?

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the three things you absolutely must get right for canning safety so you can preserve food with confidence and peace of mind.

We’ll talk about:

• Why so many people feel afraid of canning
• The truth about botulism and real risk
• How pH determines whether you water bath or pressure can
• Why processing time matters more than you think
• The biggest mistakes to avoid (including unsafe methods still being taught today)
• How to confidently know your food is safe on the shelf

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”—this episode will give you the clarity you need.

👩‍🌾 Get the FREE Confident Canner Pack here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/confident-canner-podcast

To learn more, visit the accompanying blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/canning-mistakes-to-avoid/

🌿 Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring today's podcast. If you're brand new to Azure, get 15% off your first order of $100 or more with code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15": https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.

We spend a lot of time learning the hands-on skills of homesteading like baking, gardening, and preserving. But what if those aren’t the skills that actually make a home run well?

In this episode, we’re talking about the quiet skills that don’t get much attention but make all the difference. Things like planning ahead, creating rhythms, finishing what you start, and learning how to say no.

These are the habits that protect your peace, prevent burnout, and help you build a sustainable homesteading lifestyle for the long haul.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to do it all, this episode will help you step back, refocus, and create a home that feels both productive and peaceful.

For more information, check out the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/the-quiet-skills-that-make-a-home-run-well/

Links Mentioned:
- Eat Pluck - If you want to get more organ meats into your diet, Pluck is the best place to start! Use coupon code "EATHEALTHY15" for 15% off your order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/eat-pluck

Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast. If you would like to give them a try, they have a two-year warranty! Plus, grab 15% off your first order with coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026": https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens

Time Stamps
0:00 - Introduction
1:35 - Chit Chat
10:29 - American Blossom Linens
12:27 - Main Topic

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.