I guess you can’t call a couple acres a real farm, and we don’t actually have any farm animals, but we do have four generations of family and lots of gardens!
GG has the first one-bedroom cottage; she is a 92-year-old spitfire. That still leaves me in the dust when it comes to getting things done! She is a voracious painter still and a wonderful cook, always inviting us for a meal (her love language).
Next is our youngest, Britt, and her husband Logan and our precious littles Leni and Sully. They have a 2.5 bd rancher, and then our place, a 2 bd addition to the garage. Luckily it was all mostly existing, as current zoning laws would not support our family.
We have added a beautiful 14×40 greenhouse and fenced in a 1/4 acre for gardens and dog control. Oh yes, we all share two beautiful Great Danes, Snoopy and Blue, and a sweet cat named Muffin and Miss Sophie aka Lightning in a bottle. There is also an acre in trees with a lovely little creek meandering through it, a wonderful place for meditation or throwing rocks!.
The day we signed all the paperwork, I was over at a friend’s who had entered into a similar situation, and things had not worked out for them. It is not for the faint of heart. You have to be willing to compromise and come at every negotiation with a full heart and love placed front and center.
Don’t make it about the money, and do your best to lay some lines in the sand that will accommodate different lifestyles, i.e., prepper/minimalist. But it is still sometimes a challenge. I sometimes have to remind myself of the benefits of seeing two of my grandbabies grow up and them knowing their Grammie and Papa. I think it will give them a sense of belonging and security having so much family nearby.
The way our homes are situated, we all have a private yard space and sometimes don’t even see each other except in passing for days. We are lucky enough to be going on a holiday this winter, and how nice to know the place is being lovingly taken care of no matter how long we go for. We may bend a little more now, and I imagine the younger generations will have to bend a little more later as we get to be more dependent.
This is not a new concept, but like many things these days, it is getting re-examined, brushed off, and made new.
If you would like to discuss multi-generational living, feel free to give me a call anytime to discuss! If you are already doing it, I would love to hear your stories!
All the best,
Sandy
250-710-0040
Sandy@sandystinson.com
