322. Why We Chose a Big Family, Sourdough Troubleshooting, Baby/Toddler Sleep, and More Q&A

So many of the questions we carry as mothers aren’t about doing more, but about knowing what actually matters. In this Q&A-style episode, I’m answering a wide range of listener questions on motherhood, homemaking, sourdough, sleep, budgeting, and family culture. We talk through pursuing big dreams later in life, simplifying from-scratch cooking without burnout, navigating intense toddler phases, and why flexibility often serves families better than precision. If you’ve been craving reassurance, perspective, and practical encouragement for everyday family life, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: Why it’s never “too late” to pursue land, homesteading, or long-term family dreams and how thinking generationally reframes the pressure to accomplish all your dreams right now A practical starting point for moms learning to cook from scratch without feeling overwhelmed Navigating the intense “only mom will do” phase with toddlers and why not every hard season needs fixing Thoughts on daily vitamins during postpartum and nursing, plus the role of consistency over perfection Babywearing realities, newborn neck chafing, and simple ways to keep sensitive skin comfortable and healing Helping preschoolers learn to fall asleep independently after extended co-sleeping without turning bedtime into a nightly battle A straightforward approach to budgeting and saving later in life by simply making spending visible Why measuring sourdough starter isn’t as critical as many think and how I approach baking with a relaxed, flexible mindset Diving into our open-handed approach to having a large family, cultural pressure, and how much planning really belongs in family size conversations Breastfeeding around older children, modesty at home, and why this has become a non-issue over time Setting boundaries with nearby grandparents when frequent visits start shaping daily habits and family culture Using sourdough starter straight from the fridge, reducing waste, and simplifying feeding rhythms Choosing in-person church even when it disrupts naps and why long-term habits matter more than short-term inconvenience View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out my friend Abbie’s podcast episode on Christians and fertility Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.