7 Pre-Harvest Tips For The Farmer’s Wife

Let’s face it – as farmers wives, the thought of harvest soon approaching can stir up anxiety. From the extra work at home, running errands, being up alone at night with the kids, and not having your husband to step in if needed, harvest can be stressful and overwhelming.

Preparing ourselves for harvest season helps us better care for our husband and children.

Here are 7 tips which I’ve found helpful to remember and or do prior to harvest.

1. It’s a season. Harvest is hard. And thank you Jesus, it doesn’t last forever! Although it can feel like harvest lasts forever, keeping a perspective that the hard season will pass is helpful to get through the days that are long and hard. Some days you’ll need this reminder, and some days your husband will. But remember that all seasons do come to an end.

2. Pause your pressures. You have your ideal of keeping the house in order, clean and organized, with the typical meals your family loves. But during harvest season, this ideal is unrealistic.Loosen the unseen pressure you set for yourself and realize that during harvest it will look different – and that is okay. Stop at Subway, let the clothes go unfolded, or be okay with the dishes being everywhere. Pausing the pressure during harvest allows you to be enjoyable rather than irritable. Does your husband put pressure on you? If so, it’s even more important to give yourself grace for not being able to do it all. Choose to respond to your husband in love, tell him kindly that you’re doing the best you can, and pray for his heart to soften toward you.

3. Plan before responding. It took me a long few years to realize that during harvest, we are unable to continually and successfully attend and participate in the same amount of activities we do during the rest of the year. That family dinner that is a cinch in the winter becomes stressful during harvest. Basketball practice is fun in the winter but is stressful during harvest. Those friends would be fun to get together with, but sleep might be more of a priority for you during harvest. Before harvest begins, decide that you will stop and think before committing to any function. Is this your best yes? By saying yes, will it threaten your positive energy and attitude? Is there a way you can still participate but have someone else help out? What will be best for your family and for your mental health? Pause and evaluate so you can plan for a possible “no”.

4. Remember he can’t commit. During harvest season, I’ve learned to expect that my husband will not be at anything. In fact, I don’t ask, because I don’t want him to feel the pressure of having to respond when he won’t know until an hour prior to the event anyway. Mentally gear up for school events, birthday parties, family events, and weddings (and everything in between) by telling yourself that you are able to have fun and attend things without your husband present. Although your friends and family may not understand the life of a farmer, you can gracefully and confidently support your husband by speaking life while he isn’t able to be with you.

5. Care for yourself now. We all receive refreshment differently. Whether it’s coffee with a friend, a weekend away, a few nights watching a Netflix show, or a spa day, planning to care for yourself prior to a long season of your husband being away is essential to set yourself and your family up for success. Think now about what your soul needs and schedule it now before harvest hits.

6. Plan a handful of meals. Sit down and find 6 recipes that you know you’ll be able to make during harvest. Write each meal on a separate sticky note and put it on a cabinet in your kitchen. Under each, tape the recipe. When you buy the items to make one, buy double so you can make an extra and throw it in the freezer for later. Rotate between these when you’re in a bind or need meal inspiration.

7. Have more grace. You’re tired, your man is tired. Everyone is running on low, everyone loves everyone, but it’s a season. Have grace for yourself, grace for your kids, and grace for your husband. Cover over it all with grace upon grace. It’ll make harvest season that much more enjoyable.

Wife Step: Complete steps five and six!

Amanda Davison is on a mission to share how her education in counseling and God’s word changed her marriage. Her goal is for women to commit to living their lives convinced of God’s love for them and love others from this awesome overflow. She is The Wife Coach, Founder of A Wife Like Me, a Speaker, and Author. Amanda works as the Director of Assimilations at The Naz church in Fergus Falls, MN, where her and her husband lead the Marriage Mentor Team. Her favorite ministry is inside her home where she is the wife to a farmer and mom to three! She looks forward to hearing from you and hopes you will join with her on the journey of learning to love God’s people well.