{"id":8849,"date":"2023-11-09T14:45:46","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T22:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/?p=8849"},"modified":"2023-11-09T14:45:46","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T22:45:46","slug":"farmers-need-to-find-time-for-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2023\/11\/09\/farmers-need-to-find-time-for-family\/","title":{"rendered":"Farmers need to find time for family"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||1px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E3sH1g2Z0mg?si=VPKZr3TXDOmUffrc\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back in 1987, before some of you reading this were born, I was asked to write about balancing work and family. It\u2019s now 2023, and the same questions come from my audiences around key challenges like how to achieve work\/life balance or how to get more family time on the farm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dance between work and family time on farms is a polarity. Polarities are issues that never stop or are solved but are something that always must be managed. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Polarities around family time often require an intentional decision. Are you going to work on a Sunday afternoon, or are you going to take the kids skating? Are you going to spend a couple of hours with your spouse helping out with a special project, or are you going to answer the task calls of the farm business?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeking out Facebook groups or social media posts for help on having more time with family on your farm is likely not helpful. The posts I\u2019ve observed are long rants of frustration with few solutions in the comments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like many other aspects of frustration in agriculture, we need a deep mindset shift.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Your body is not a machine.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You are not serving yourself or others well by being a workaholic. When are you going to pay attention to your physical, emotional, and mental needs, and those of your spouse and family?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone needs rest and renewal time. We take ours on Sundays and choose not to work on our farm. As a grain farm, this is workable. On farms with livestock, you need to try to find other labour help or relief workers, or you can block out four or five hours in the day that is designated for family life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The farm comes first<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For many families, this belief is not workable, if it means there is never any time for family during the busy season. The problem with this mindset is you have a need to complete farm tasks that comes before meeting the needs of your spouse and kids. And you accept this as \u201cThis is just how it is.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conflict on your farm about the pull between work and family needs may be because you haven\u2019t stopped to be creative with solutions for addressing this polarity between managing farm tasks and your desire for quality family time. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u201cThinking \u201cafter harvest we will do this\u2026\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a way to push family time into the future, but it\u2019s not a workable solution, especially for folks whose love language is \u201cquality time\u201d. How can you prioritize or block out a couple of hours throughout your farming week to be present with your family?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rain delays on grain farms can help with spontaneous family fun, but what if you are literally in a drought situation where you\u2019re never setting aside time for family life. Google Calendar can be your friend to make this time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My friend Lauren (<a href=\"http:\/\/Iowafarmwife.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Iowafarmwife.com<\/a>) talks about how her husband spent three hours with their young son at a rodeo, leaving behind farm tasks to focus on creating a special memory for the family. At the end of his life, Lauren\u2019s husband will not regret the fact he got off the tractor for a few hours to have fun with family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>We don\u2019t have any help.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> As I write this, there are two women cleaning my house. Many of us have been raised to be strong, independent folks who can make things work on our own. It\u2019s time to challenge this mindset and enlist help where you need it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My coach Lydia Carpenter shares how her farm uses European workers for a season in their direct farm marketing operation. If you say you don\u2019t have money to hire help, can you barter your time with friends or neighbours to exchange time for farm work relief?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How much is enough? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your family needs time and attention. The farm needs consistent management, and we all understand the \u201call hands on deck\u201d mentality during calving, planting, seeding, and harvest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, we choose how to have measured persistence in getting things done. But if you value intimacy, relationships, and friendship, you also need to pay attention to what is filling your emotional bank account.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The solution for this quandary is talking with your spouse about what fills your tank. Some of you just want time for coffee and conversation to check in with each other, or time to play with young children. Some folks want to be heard and understood, which requires focused listening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8859 alignnone \" src=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Farmers-need-to-find-time-for-family.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"513\" height=\"342\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Farmers-need-to-find-time-for-family.jpg 513w, https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Farmers-need-to-find-time-for-family-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 513px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the need for connection, family support, and play is pushed away time and time again, then people lose hope things will be different. As one proverb says, \u201chope deferred make the heart sick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I recommend you think about these things:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Have Family Days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or afternoons when you can focus on family fun and time together with friends. My grandkids have a book called <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dadurday is Saturday<\/span><\/i> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by Robin Pulver that\u2019s about young kids making a list of things they would love to do with their father on a Saturday. Saturday or any day of the week can be a time when family can be a family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Have an Educational Day <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when you can share your love of ag with your kids by doing crop tours, taking in a farm show, or just letting them ride along with you in the tractor. A quick tour on social media will confirm folks are being creative in combining farm labour and childcare. (Note: child safety experts caution us to always be careful when you combine farm activities with childcare) Asking for help from your mother-in-law or bartering time with a friend may help you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Using cameras and robots on your farm. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We recently installed cameras so hubby can see how much rain we\u2019re getting while we are two hours away. Emily Reuschel (Gather in Growth Podcast) and her family took a road trip in the middle of July away from their farm, but they kept an eye on things back home using technology.\u00a0 I know of one young dairy farmer who texted a friend a photo of himself barbequing for a party while robots milked his cows, delighted with the investment that gives him more time to be a present dad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Use better math.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You need to practice subtraction. When farm life seems overwhelming, what do you need to let go of? This summer I let some young women use my garden space, where I myself had only two tomato plants and some gladiolias <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that\u2019s it. Where is it written that in order to be a good _________ (fill in the blank), you have to do a certain thing on your farm. Can you just say no?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Determine your personal style and needs.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Managing your own needs and the needs of your spouse is the dance of work\/life balance. As an extrovert, I get energy from spending time with my grandkids and other people. My husband prefers to re-energize by being alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using one to 10 scale, prioritize or assess your readiness to do family time. How ready are you and your spouse to block two hours on Sunday for the family to have fun? If you answer is 10 and your spouse answers two, then you have some negotiation to do. Can you embrace deep listening for your spouse\u2019s needs?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #662d91;\">***<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elaine Froese and her team of coaches are available to help you find harmony through understanding<\/span><\/i>. <em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.elainefroese.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><\/em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em> to learn more.<\/em> <i>Listen to Elaine\u2019s podcast <a href=\"http:\/\/www.farmfamilyharmonypodcast.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/i><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #662d91;\">Did you enjoy <em><strong>Farmers need to find time for family? <\/strong><\/em>You might want to check these articles out too:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2023\/10\/26\/the-emotional-and-financial-cost-of-nastiness-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Emotional and Financial Cost of Nastiness<\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2023\/10\/12\/managing-blended-families-on-the-farm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\">Managing Blended Families on the Farm<\/span><\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2023\/09\/27\/power-of-attorney-protecting-your-farm-and-family\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\">Power of Attorney: Protecting Your Farm and Family<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image title_text=&#8221;Kick-start Succession Conversations&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/insights\/free-stuff\/kick-start-succession-conversations\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Image&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kick-start-Succession-Conversations.jpg&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The dance between work and family time on farms is a polarity. Polarities are issues that never stop or are solved but are something that always must be managed. <\/p>\n<p>Polarities around family time often require an intentional decision. Are you going to work on a Sunday afternoon, or are you going to take the kids skating? Are you going to spend a couple of hours with your spouse helping out with a special project, or are you going to answer the task calls of the farm business?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o4K6bItAbCY\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nHarvest is in full swing on our farm, and I am not there\u2026for a few days. Where is it written you cannot leave the farm during harvest? (Almost on every page of the unpublished book \u201cThe Culture of Agriculture.\u201d)\r\n\r\nIf you are one of the 2800 folks who have stumbled upon \u201cFinding Fairness in Farm Transition\u201d on my YouTube channel at Farm Family Coach, you already know I am on a mission to change mindsets in agriculture. Fairness is helping everyone in the family be successful.\r\n<p class=\"p1\">Enter Scott Armstrong and his new workbook: <i>Mind Switch Retirement Planner<\/i>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6952 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Untitled-design-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">Armstrong is a speaker friend who shared his insights at a national financial planner September convention in Niagara Falls, the place I also journeyed to at the start of our September harvest. He uses the word \u201cretirement\u201d, for ag folks I prefer to use the term reinvention:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Here are some things to consider as you age on your farm or ranch:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"ol1\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>What are the current roles you want to continue?<\/b> Which ones would you like to let go of? My farmer is coughing more after cleaning bins, and I am encouraging him to quit that task at age 65, which is now.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Are you still passionate about farming?<\/b> Or just parts of it? Simon Sinek says, \u201cfulfillment comes when we live our lives on purpose\u201d. What is it you are doing on your farm where you lose all track of time? This summer I think my farmer lost track of mowing fields and ditches and waiting for the grain to ripen. I love to play with my grandkids and enjoy their giggles, stories, and curiosity. Play me with them is a sweet spot and I am intentional in making time for them. I am still passionate about helping farm families make intentional choices for a better quality of life and harmony through understanding.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Do your passion and purpose align with your spouse\u2019s vision<\/b>? This is where it gets messy. You want to leave the farm life roles and responsibilities, but your partner does not. Not for a long time! Where is it written you cannot pursue some things in different time zones or days apart from your spouse?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Independence is one of my core values, yet my husband respects what I need to fill my well, and I am happy when I return to the farm from my off-farm contracts and contacts. Love and respect for the other can go both ways.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Adventure is big<\/b> on Scott Armstrong\u2019s workbook list. Farmers spend a lot of money on crop protection and other inputs. Many use the points from farm credit cards to fund short-term winter adventures. One of my clients is on a motorbike in the Maritimes as I write this. (Dairy farmer). Another farmer spends time in Mexico helping the poor build houses in the winter, and he wants to do more of this. Our adventures to visit friends in New Zealand, or travel with friends to Hawaii have been great times of renewal. Perhaps there is an ag tour you have been putting off. The GREAT PAUSE showed us how isolation and lack of adventure can really cramp our style, but we now have options. The most recent adventure for folks in our circle has been electric bikes. They are great for checking fields, riding down the Turtle Mountains to Boissevain, and going for a quick spin before supper. What is the adventure you have been putting off?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Vitality is an energy we all want more of.<\/b> Armstrong is convinced we are only using 50% of our body\u2019s capacity. Our wonderful physician Dr. Nell shook his finger at us 5 years ago saying \u201cLook you two it\u2019s time you started having some fun. At 75 it all starts to fall apart!\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This year I\u2019ve shed some weight via the app \u201cNOOM\u201d and am working on a better morning fitness routine. My friend, a cattle producer at age 68 does lots of stretching and 40 minutes on her elliptical every morning. She makes time for lots of hiking adventures and ensures her body is in great form. Armstrong has a great list of sleep hacks to have more renewal time.\r\nYour body is not a machine. Save money now by paying better attention to your health and making small habit changes to be healthier. Be kind to your brain and get off your devices long before bed. This will not kill you, and your marriage may be better off for the pillow talk without blue lights flashing from your cell phone or iPad, or TV.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Finances:<\/b> The number one encouragement I have is to find a good financial planner who can guide you with your income streams and personal wealth as your farm assets keep growing. CAFA which is the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors has great advisors in their directory who understand the culture of agriculture and the challenges of debt servicing and the need for personal wealth options. See <span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.cafanet.ca\"><span class=\"s1\">www.cafanet.ca<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Living Legacy:<\/strong> What do you want people to say about you BEFORE you die?\r\nI hope you have a wonderful 80th birthday party where folks can tell you in their own words and stories about how your life really was a blessing to them. Do you want to be able to set your grandkids up for financial success? Can you help fund their RESP for trades or university training? Could you help fund the local arts and culture or sports foundation of your small town? Would you be able to secretly give a \u201cleg up\u201d to a struggling single parent? Having the time to walk alongside newcomers to your community and financial support can be a huge blessing to making your town a great place to age gracefully. We live close to one of Manitoba\u2019s most beautiful small towns. The new bakeshop owner is now making sourdough bread with wheat head designs, plus great peanut butter marshmallow slices. This news may not excite you, but it is becoming a destination attraction. Sometimes it is the \u2018little things in life\u201d that make a day sweeter.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Social times<\/b>. Armstrong surprised me with his challenge to question who your friends are and why. Post-Covid relationships look different, and you may be navigating the loss of long-time or childhood friends. Intentionally make a list of the folks who align with your purpose and plans for growth. I\u2019ll still a big fan of calling my far-away friends to keep relationships growing, yet I also know having tea in person is refreshing. I suspect the guys reading this are longing for more friendships beyond the farm gate. What are you DOING about it?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">Find out more about Scott Armstrong\u2019s fun, practical workbook at <span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mindswitch.ca\"><span class=\"s1\">www.mindswitch.ca<\/span><\/a><\/span>, and reach out to the Mind Switch community on <span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100063687142266\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>.<\/span> Tell him you are working on changing the mindsets in agriculture, one family at a time.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/insights\/free-stuff\/roles-storyboard\/\"><strong><span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\">Grab your copy of the Roles Storyboard<\/span><\/strong><\/a> to <span class=\"RFZYhc\">help you understand your 6 key roles - personal, couple, family, work (farm and off farm), friends, community.<\/span>\r\n\r\n***\r\n<p class=\"p1\">Elaine Froese is happy to be writing at 30,000 feet again. Invite her to speak at your next ag event. She has 30-plus years of practical insights for farmers to have the life they\u2019ve always wanted. One day at a time.\u00a0Visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.elainefroese.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\">here <\/span><\/a>or Instagram <span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/farmfamilycoach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@farmfamilycoach<\/a><\/span> and hit the Linktree bio. Send cards to Box 957, Boissevain MB R0K 0E0.<\/p>\r\n<strong>Follow Elaine on Social for More Helpful Farm Family Advice!<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/farmfamilycoach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/farmfamilycoach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/farmfamilycoach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elainefroese\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/farmfamilycoach\/videos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@farmfamilycoach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok<\/a><\/span>\r\n\r\nDid you enjoy<em><strong> How to re-invent your farm life as you age with Mind-Switch? <\/strong><\/em>You might want to check these articles out too:\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2022\/08\/25\/your-farms-emotional-tank-needs-checking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Your Farm\u2019s Emotional Tank Needs Checking<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2022\/07\/14\/you-are-not-alone-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">You are not alone<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2022\/06\/30\/how-to-love-a-farmer-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Love a Farmer<\/a><\/span>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3,70,972,169,112,25,113,1671,74,211,259,76,1670,118,22,1067,108],"class_list":["post-8849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-communication","tag-elaine-froese","tag-emotional","tag-families","tag-family","tag-farm","tag-farm-business","tag-farm-comes-first","tag-farm-families","tag-farm-familly","tag-farm-family-coach","tag-farmers","tag-farmers-need-to-find-time-for-family","tag-farming","tag-harvest","tag-help","tag-time"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Farmers need to find time for family - Elaine Froese | Canada\u2019s Farm Whisperer | Your go-to expert for farm families who want better communication and conflict resolution to secure a successful farm transition<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The dance between work and family time on farms is a polarity. Polarities are issues that never stop or are solved but are something that always must be managed.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2023\/11\/09\/farmers-need-to-find-time-for-family\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Farmers need to find time for family - Elaine Froese | Canada\u2019s Farm Whisperer | Your go-to expert for farm families who want better communication and conflict resolution to secure a successful farm transition\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The dance between work and family time on farms is a polarity. 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