My three-year-old niece Lillian has recently started to show an interest in milking cows. He has informed me that she will be showing a cow this year at one of the county fairs we go to and plans to help me all summer to get her calf ready.
These little kids that I am blessed to have in my life are easily one of the best things that have happened to me. They have taught me so many lessons. But I have been able to use so many things that being a farmer has taught me to be the best aunt that I can for these kids.
While Lillian was milking cows with me for the second time last week her mom and little brother (Matt Jr, 1-year-old) were watching. Matt was running around and making a bunch of noise. In the meantime Lillian was taking all the wash clothes we use to clean the cows prior to attaching the milking unit and putting them on the ground. I just kept going about my business of getting my task of milking the cows done. Their mom, Tiana, was in awe with how cool, calm, and collected I was with the chaos going on around me.
The number one lesson I have learned by being a farmer and working with animals my whole life is that they feed off of your emotions. If you are stressed, they are stressed. And even though there was a lot going on the other night during milking, my cows know me as their trusted person and listened to my emotions about the situation.
I know that by having the kids milk with me it adds a few extra minutes to chores. But, I stay relaxed and calm. These are things my cows have taught me to do. Be patient and take your time and things will work out.