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rcarter
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| Posted: June 10 2011 at 7:12am | IP Logged
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Okay, I don't even know how to have titled this. And I don't even know if this is the right place for the subject. And I can hardly keep from laughing at how this must sound!  But tomorrow dh is *borrowing* a *husband* for our hog, Petunia  . (I know, that's the most ridiculous name for a big, ugly, smelly hog. That's why I chose it! ) This is the first time we have ever done it (we're micro-farmers), and of course it will be the first time our kids will ever witness, um, nature. There's no place for the poor *honeymooning* couple to have some privacy, and no way to keep our kids from witnessing what is inevitable.
My problem is this: How do I explain to them what is going on? Do I wait til they ask, or do I forestall their questions? The closest they've ever come to this aspect of nature is toads. They've all come to their own conclusion that it's just a baby toad catching a piggy-back (no pun intended!) ride on his mom. I let it go, because it's cute and innocent and I'm not ready to talk birds-and-bees. Got any suggestions????
Rachel
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Rachel
Married to Bill 8/4/01
Mom to ds 9, dd 8, dd 6, dd 4, ds 1 and baby due 7/11!!!.
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Angi
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| Posted: June 10 2011 at 7:35am | IP Logged
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I would just answer and questions with the least amount of info possible. Mine still think that one is getting a pogo back ride too ;) LOL
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Bridget
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| Posted: June 10 2011 at 8:19am | IP Logged
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I think I would plan distractions. Your oldest is only 9, I wouldn't want to give much info at that age and THAT is not the context I want to put it in.
That said, I really have no idea what it would look like and I know farm kids have grown up with it through out the ages so maybe I'm too squeamish.
"They get to know each other by playful wrestling...?" Would that work?
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Aagot
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| Posted: June 10 2011 at 8:34am | IP Logged
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Honestly, this is the easiest way. Funny enough they don't make a direct connection between what the animals are doing and what people do (at least mine haven't yet) but they will eventually and it is the least traumatic for all concerned. IMHO. I would just simply say, "oh, they are trying to make baby piggies, hopefully in October we will have a whole big litter of cute pigs." Or something like that.
Good Luck!
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: June 10 2011 at 12:37pm | IP Logged
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Aagot wrote:
| I would just simply say, "oh, they are trying to make baby piggies, hopefully in October we will have a whole big litter of cute pigs." Or something like that. |
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Yes, this is what we do. BE ALL EXCITED ABOUT IT! Say with ANTICIPATION and a FLOURISH....."That's how they make baby-pigs!!!!!!#^%$%^ Won't that be fun to have piglets in a few months???!!! Oh, I can't WAIT!"
Your excitement is what they'll focus on....not the details/how/why. Most likely, anyway. And, if not...if the questions continue....just answer with honest "small" answers" (minimal detail)....in a matter-of-fact-way.
It's true they don't make the connection with what animals do and what people do until later.
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wifemommy
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| Posted: June 10 2011 at 4:46pm | IP Logged
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um good luck with that compared to moving a boar I think AI might be the easier route   Our kids watch the chickens and the ducks all the time. Rabbits too when they behave like rabbits...We are just very casual and matter of fact about it. That is how pigs make babies. Don't forget to make a safe spot for the piglets when they come. have fun Annie
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: June 10 2011 at 5:10pm | IP Logged
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I wouldn't prepare ahead and the more casual you are.. the less of a big deal it'll be.. besides for all you know.. the kids will be in at lunch or dinner when it happens anyway.
Now I have heard of kids concerned because they're "stuck together" or because they think the female is being picked on/hurt by the male.. And so it would at least be a good idea to let them know that the boy pig is there so they can have baby pigs.. and to STAY OUT no matter what you think is happening and come get mom/dad if they're concerned about something.
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MaryM
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| Posted: June 10 2011 at 7:18pm | IP Logged
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rcarter wrote:
| But tomorrow dh is *borrowing* a *husband* for our hog, Petunia . (I know, that's the most ridiculous name for a big, ugly, smelly hog. That's why I chose it! ) |
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No advice - though it looks like the more experienced have contributed to that... 
I was just wondering if you had ever read the Poinsettia (pig) books by Felicia Bond? She has a sister named Petunia (also a pig, obviously). They are really cute books and since you have a Petunia pig thought the kids might enjoy that.
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rcarter
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| Posted: June 10 2011 at 8:41pm | IP Logged
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Oooh, that's a whole lot of good ideas! I like the casual approach idea of telling them that's how they make baby piglets. I must agree, Bridget, I'm kind of squeamish about it, too. Heck, the sight of most bugs, not even doing anything, has the same effect on me! 
Mary M, thanks for the book suggest. I've never heard of them, but they look neat! I've put myself on a spending hiatus for a bit, but a trip to the library ought to do it, yes?
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Rachel
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wifemommy
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| Posted: June 15 2011 at 5:15pm | IP Logged
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Well how did it go? We have raised a few sets of pigs for food with piglets bought from another breeder. Are you planning to eat/sell this litter. I wouldn't get too many cute pig stories.... The good news is piglets are adorable but by the time they are food age not so much What breed are they? Annie
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rcarter
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| Posted: June 16 2011 at 5:22pm | IP Logged
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Annie, we didn't end up getting the boar last Saturday. We're going to try for this Saturday. The folks just couldn't get him loaded in the crate, so they're borrowing a horse-trailer to try again. Keeping our fingers crossed! We'll probably just sell this litter, maybe keep one for meat, although we just butchered one 2 weeks ago. We've raised 4 feeder hogs so far, 2 at a time. The first 2 were just black hogs, no real breed, I guess. These last 2 were bluebutts, and so is Petunia. We'll breed her to a Hampshire. Are you still raising pigs?
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Rachel
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wifemommy
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| Posted: June 16 2011 at 10:45pm | IP Logged
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Right now the barn is full with goats, a steer, 2 dairy beef feeders, ducks rabbits and cats. In the fall the steer goes to the freezer. 1 dbf gets sold at fair and then we will either get some piglets for one of dds friends or buy a full grown one at the 4H fair auction. We are spoiled with the home grown meat.
Good Luck loading the boar that is such a challenge!
My 4 year old at Easter dinner announced that she knew where the ham comes from... the bu##. She knew from "reading" her sisters 4H book  This is the same child who the 1st time we sent a pig to slaughter we said we were"trading" it for pork products. She said she knew what happens she read the 4H book...she was just upset we didn't get both pigs meat back ..my sis bought the other one
not much gets past the kids  Annie
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rcarter
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| Posted: June 17 2011 at 6:51am | IP Logged
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Wow! Have you always raised farm animals? We're just getting our feet wet, but hoping to get maybe 2 steers next spring. Hubby is working on a shelter and fencing this summer. I agree, we are getting spoiled on home grown meat. Just doesn't compare to what you get at the grocery store!
When we loaded our two hogs this past time, I thought sure we were going to have to just call the packing house and have them come get the one. He was so mad, he was squealing and trying to jump out near the top of the crate. I had visions of a feral pig with our name on it! But he finally calmed down after about an hour, and I must say, we just had some chops and they were delicious!!
That's hysterical about your 4 year old! We sold one of the pigs to my parents and yesterday while we were over there, my 3 year old kept begging to "see the pig" in Gram's freezer. We showed her all the pork, but she kept saying, "Where's the pig?"
BTW, we're also raising chickens, plus we have cats, a dog, and we're getting rabbits this summer. But I hope that's the extent of how much farm animals we will have! 
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Rachel
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Mom to ds 9, dd 8, dd 6, dd 4, ds 1 and baby due 7/11!!!.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: A "husband" for our female hog
