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FAQ’s – Part 2

Yesterday I started answering some of the many Frequently Asked Questions we have answered over the last few months, when we attempt to explain what we are doing next year. Here are some answers to more of the FAQ’s

What about your job(s)?
As  you may know, the Country Boy is a stay at home dad, 3 days per week and works the other 2.  He is planning to resign (and has already told his boss – other wise I wouldn’t be writing this post) in mid October so that he can have a few weeks to do some house fixing and organisation.

I work full time at a public high school in Western Sydney. One of the benefits of working here is that I am able to take leave without pay for up to 12 months and still keep my job at the same school. So I have taken leave. If we love it on the farm I can relinquish my job, and if we find farm life is not for us then I can return in 2013.

I know that we are extremely lucky to have this to fall back on. We both tend to be rather cautious and this “back up” certainly gives us peace of mind!

What will you do down there?
We are not really sure. I hope to pick up some casual teaching at either of the 2 towns within driving distance of the farm. CB will help his father out on the farm, and has also been told that he can pick up work around some of the other properties in the area.

Part of our hope is to spend less time working and more time as a family. CB wants to grow lots of vegetables and  I am looking forward to having time and space to resume some of my craft hobbies.

What about the kids and school?
There is a great 2 teacher school in the local village (about 5 minutes away). Hannah will go there and be one of four kids in 2nd class. Sometimes she is excited about the move, but at other times she is sad about leaving her friends and school. We anticipate that she will have difficulty with the initial adjustment more than the other two, but are confident that she will cope well.

Meg will go to preschool (also in the village) for 2 days per week. We have heard good things about the preschool and she is a tough, resilient little girl, so we feel confident she will be fine. Toby, of course, will be too young to do either. He is already proving to be an outdoor kid, and we hope that he (and the girls) will enjoy the additional space.
What are you doing with your house in the mountains?
We will rent it out. (That one was short and easy)
What about your family? Won’t you miss them?
Yes, of course I will. We live close to my family and see them several times a week. My parents care for our kids when CB works. This is not a reason not to go. We will miss all our family and friends a lot, but are hoping for lots of visits, and we plan to visit the mountains regularly too!
What about CB’s family?
As I have mentioned CB’s parents live on and run the farm. They have never placed any expectation that one of their children should return to the farm. At the same time they seem to be quite excited at the prospect of us moving back, even for 12 months. While we are there, they are planning to take a big trip around northern Australia. CB will look after the farm in their absence. We are really pleased that we are able to help them out and give them a well deserved break!

What about church?
Well there is a church in the village, as well as several in the 2 towns near by. We are confident we will find somewhere to call home.
Why are you blogging about this?
I am sure that this change is going to provide lots of challenges and thought provoking moments. I enjoy writing, and see this as an opportunity to keep up with friends and family, and share my experiences with a broader audiences. I don’t know where this is going, but the “journey” will be fun (now I sound like a reality show contestant). If you enjoy my blog, please share it around, comment, or become a “follower”. I am learning a lot as I go and I  love to receive feedback.

Have you got any other questions? Any advice? Please comment below!

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Previous Post: « FAQ’s – Part 1
Next Post: Census – Yay! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. IWASNTBLOGGEDYESTERDAY says

    May 28, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    lol Daisy, i've been trying to nut it out too lol Galong maybe? lol

    Reply
  2. Julie H says

    December 4, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    We just did the tree change and moved from Sydney to the Country 3mths ago. Huge leap of faith, but we figured why not, if we fall flat we'll just move back in a year or so. So far, we are loving it!!! My son went from a school with 900+ kids to one with 110 (big change) but he loves it. Just wanted to wish you good luck with your move (it's crazy stressful I know!) …will be following how you get on.

    Reply
  3. Daisy, Roo and Two says

    October 17, 2011 at 9:57 am

    You know, I have a feeling you are moving quite close to where I am…

    If you ever wanna catch up or have a "country" blog meet please email me!!!

    daisyrooandtwo@gmail.com

    Reply
  4. Jo S says

    August 11, 2011 at 6:18 am

    Thanks kate. We are getting more excited each week as it comes closer. I love the idea that we are showing our kids how to take good risks, and that it's ok not to always know exactly what will happen!

    Reply
  5. katepickle says

    August 9, 2011 at 7:55 am

    I am loving reading about your impending move…. there is something so exciting about taking a leap of faith and trying something totally new!

    Reply
  6. Margaret says

    August 8, 2011 at 7:15 am

    Love the fact you are preparing to take the risk Jo and Craig. Sure, Penny & Jon will miss you, but think of the joy you are giving to Craig's parents. And it's great that they will have a chance to go away and explore Australia!

    Reply
  7. Jo S says

    August 8, 2011 at 7:36 am

    Thanks Margaret! We are very excited overall. Every change has it's good and bad parts, but I hope this one is mainly good!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Jo

I'm a city girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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Team work makes the dream work. We were asked rec Team work makes the dream work. 
We were asked recently whether we “make” our kids work on the farm. The answer is “of course not”. Having said that, all three love to help out whenever they can. They all work hard because they want to; because they take pride in working hard and contributing in a meaningful way to our family life; because they love living on our farm and don’t remember life before we moved here. Whether it be planting trees or doing sheep work or feeding animals, they all want to be involved. As a parent, nothing is better than watching them grow in skill and confidence as they work along side you. We’re so glad that we get to spend time with our three, working together.
We’ve had an unexpected addition to the family ☘️🐑. She is a lot easier to look after than the other family members but she does try to escape her yard and head butt people. Poddy lambs are super cute but they tend to think they are a human. Clover the lamb is sure that Meg is her mum. Can’t think why… 🤔🤣
The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: toge The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: together, cooking damper around the remains of the bonfire.
It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got through shearing without a hitch (thankfully 🙏) but we’ve had a run of the flu followed by Covid run through the family since then. The kids and I have tested positive (this is my second time getting it 🦠) though so far C has managed to avoid it. There has been a lot of lying on the couch feeling pretty ordinary. Han had to reschedule her driving test for a 4th time due to Covid, which is disappointing for her because she wants her freedom and for us because it would be so much more convenient if she could drive herself places. Just to add in to the mix, our hot water system has chosen now as a good time to die so we’re on cold showers until we’re all out of iso. This is not meant to be a whinging post but sometimes life just sucks a bit and it’s good to be real. Fortunately, the sight of the fire going with a stack of wood next to it cheers us up. Things will improve soon. Onwards we go…
A picture perfect Autumn afternoon to end the scho A picture perfect Autumn afternoon to end the school holidays. We’ve been busy spending time with friends and family, harvesting the last of the summer produce, as well as a short escape to explore the big smoke. After the craziness of last term it was the break we all needed. It’s back to school for me tomorrow, and the kids are back on Wednesday. Shearing starts soon and so it’s all systems go over the next few weeks.
Covid has made some late changes to our weekend pl Covid has made some late changes to our weekend plans so we are embracing the unexpected and doing not much at home. Plenty of time for hanging out on the dam and enjoy the perfect weather.

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Hi, I’m Jo

City girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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