Welcome to the Wild and Free Podcast, episode 69. I'm Ainsley Arment, and this week we're talking with Melissa

Amy Simmons about helping our children become self-reliant and raising responsible kids.

I'll say, okay, think, sounds like the cats are hungry. I can hear hear some meowing why don't you go and check

on them and see what they need and he'll kind of give a sigh and okay and sometimes you know

I'll have to follow him into the room and say hey hey did you forget why you were coming in here

let's look let's do this together let's get the cat food pour it into the bowl you know how to do

it now go take their water bowl to the kitchen, rinse it out.

And then he's kind of willing because I helped him this time.

And so every few days or maybe every week, I have to come alongside them and do the chore with

them.

And then it's not so bad because, you know, someone's helping you, mama's talking to you,

and then before you know what the chore is done.

Plus, we just released our first ever Christmas giving catalog

for the Wild and Free Farm Village.

We'll tell you all about it.

So grab a cup of coffee and join us on the front porch.

Let's get started.

When I think about homeschooling, the word that often comes to mind is friendship.

Some would say that you can't be both a parent and a friend, but I disagree. Think about what friends do.

They laugh and love together, hurt and forgive each other.

They eat meals, share life, and make time for each other.

They speak truth when necessary, but more often emboldened and encourage one another.

...