Simple Farmhouse Life — Episode 304

Toy Clutter, Baby Sleep, and Teen Drivers: Life in a Fast-Moving Season + More Q&A
Host: Lisa Bass
Air date: August 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In this solo Q&A episode, Lisa Bass, mom of eight and creator of Farmhouse on Boone, engages directly with listener-submitted questions covering parenting approaches, managing toy clutter, sleeping with babies, homemade living, teen drivers, and aspects of her family's evolving homesteading life. With her signature candid warmth, Lisa provides practical insights, anecdotes, and reflections on the many seasons of motherhood as her family juggles everything from new babies to teens becoming more independent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Co-Sleeping: Evolving Approaches and Safety

• Lisa shares her co-sleeping journey (03:00–08:15), noting she’s preparing for her ninth baby and expects to bed-share for at least a year, as has been the pattern with all her kids.
  • “If I wanted any sleep at all, I was going to have to bring the baby into bed with me…by the time I had my second, we just totally embraced it.” (03:30)
  • She discusses her safety adaptations – never placing newborns between parents, sometimes using heavy books as a barrier.
  • Encourages listeners to do their own research: “I have done that for many babies…and let me just caveat this by saying do your own research. Read up on safe sleeping practices.” (06:40)
  • Shifts in sleep positions and comfort as baby grows.
  • Tips: layering blankets carefully, dressing baby warmly, and keeping co-sleeping routines flexible.

2. Toy Clutter: Minimalism & Letting Go

• Lisa expands on gift-giving and toy acquisition in a large family (10:47–18:19; repeated themes elsewhere).
  • Rather than placing hard boundaries, she allows gifts at holidays and birthdays but observes most toys have a short life of active use.
  • “I don’t stop people from getting the kids toys…we just assess as children inevitably get tired of the toys that they have.” (01:08, 10:47)
  • Her decluttering rhythm is influenced by the children’s interest level: toys are kept as long as they are loved, then donated or discarded.
  • She references Marie Kondo’s philosophy: “An item can fulfill its purpose more quickly than I think we think. We think if somebody gets a toy…you’re required to keep it for years...But I see the joy…when nobody cares…then I’m good with that.” (16:50)
  • She distinguishes between managing younger children’s items vs. teens who are autonomous in curating their personal belongings.

3. Homesteading Life Updates & Car Logistics

• The family currently drives a Nissan NV3500, a 12-seater van.
  • Car seat arrangement evolves with each new baby (23:49–28:00).
  • Oldest daughter has started driving, prompting reflection on kids “leaving the nest.”
    • “It’s really just a matter of…I’d rather you not, because I worry…but she’s also a really safe driver...It’s just such a weird thing when your whole life you’ve packed up all these little kids…now they’re going different directions.” (25:25)
  • Lisa discusses the bittersweet transition from family outings in one vehicle to complex schedules as kids grow into independence.

4. Keeping Up with Family Health and Home Routines

• Freshly Milled Wheat: Lisa reports no dramatic family health changes since shifting to milled wheat, as they started off healthy, but she knows it’s more nutritious (10:47–12:25).
• Varicose Veins: No “miracle” topical remedy; magnesium and strategic rest have helped relieve discomfort (18:30–21:49).
  • “They look really bad but they no longer hurt, which is interesting. Probably just means like something blew out and it’s…hope is lost—but they don’t bother me.” (20:15)
• Haircuts: The switch between at-home clippers and salon scissor cuts for boys; girls do frequent “micro-trims” and homemade hair care (36:55–40:30).
  • “For many years we only used the clippers…But if you have a lot of sons, investing in clippers is really going to save you a ton.” (38:40)
  • For the girls: “They’ve gotten really into hair routines and taking care of their hair. This is their hobby—they make homemade gels out of flaxseeds…micro trims…” (39:30)

5. Homemaking Adaptations and Real-Life Tips

• Living Without a Dishwasher: (49:31–54:15)
  • Lisa shares her years-long routine of hand-washing dishes, finding it manageable with minimal dish rotation.
    • “Anytime where there was a dishwasher, like an Airbnb, I felt like it didn’t help at all because I just had my way of doing things and it felt so much faster.” (50:55)
  • Tips include: keeping fewer dishes, washing right after meals, enlisting older kids’ help, and setting up ample drying space.

6. Homestead Building, Future Dreams, and Family Dynamics

• Lisa discusses the parallel house builds she and her sister are undertaking (42:30–46:50), differences in approach, and online perceptions.
  • “She’s just so much more decisive…there’s so much more conversation behind what you see on the internet.” (44:15)
• Animal plans on the new farm: More chickens, a dairy cow by spring (optimistically), possibly cattle, pigs, sheep, and horses as time/resources allow (46:50–48:00).
  • “I just see the value in the charm and the magic of having animals like that. I grew up with horses…and I just picture that, a childhood of taking the horse into the barn…going for a ride down to the creek…” (47:15)
• Brown Recluse Spiders in Missouri: Lisa hasn’t personally had an issue but recommends basic precautions and checking with local experts (28:00–31:55).

7. Handling Fast Seasons and Transitions

• With a new baby soon, teens getting licensed, and a house being built, Lisa speaks candidly about living in a rapidly moving season.
  • “I’m living in this very fast-changing season…trying to figure out how to…get ahead because I do take…at least two weeks...completely off of all the things.” (56:10)
  • Plans for sharing her birth story and balancing online content with real life, plus reflections on the paradox of being “ahead” in content while life changes daily.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On toy minimalism:
  “When nobody cares about it anymore, which happens kind of quick, if you actually observe…the kids and what they’ve just tossed aside, then I’m good with that.” (16:50)

• On letting kids transition to independence:
  “It’s just a weird, slow, but also kind of sudden thing that you realize, okay, this is all going to change so rapidly because four years from now…life’s going to be so different.” (26:50)

• On co-sleeping safety:
  “…I don’t put the baby in between us…when I need to switch sides more often… I have some heavy…design books…I put those in between us. For whatever reason that makes me feel a lot better.” (05:50)

• On family kitchen routines:
  “Anytime I was in a situation where there was a dishwasher…I felt like it didn’t help at all because I just had my way of doing things and it felt so much faster.” (50:55)

• On big family haircut hacks:
  “Boys I feel are especially easy…if you have a lot of sons, investing in clippers is really going to save you a ton of money and time.” (38:55)

• On new livestock dreams:
  “I cannot wait to have animals again…dairy cow by spring…horses, sheep, pigs, I want all of it. Just check in a couple years and we’ll see.” (47:15)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:00–08:15: Co-sleeping routines, safety, and personal adaptations
• 10:47–18:19: Managing toy clutter, philosophy on gifts, and minimalism
• 23:49–28:00: Car logistics and teen drivers
• 36:55–40:30: How Lisa handles haircuts for eight kids
• 42:30–46:50: Lisa and her sister’s parallel house builds
• 46:50–48:00: Animal plans and homestead dreams
• 49:31–54:15: Hand-washing dishes vs. dishwashers—practical tips
• 56:10–59:00: Reflections on fast-moving seasons and updating online content

Tone and Style

Lisa’s tone is warm, conversational, and practical. She balances real-life anecdotes with actionable advice, often sharing what’s working in her own home while encouraging listeners to adapt tips to fit their unique family situations. Her approach is non-judgmental, down-to-earth, and peppered with gentle humor and self-awareness.

Summary

For homemakers, parents, and homesteaders at any stage, this episode offers both comfort and practical tools as Lisa navigates the joys and challenges of raising a big family, simplifying routines, and thriving in shifting seasons of life. Whether you’re wrestling with toy clutter, co-sleeping questions, or just trying to get through the day with grace, Lisa’s open-handed wisdom will reassure and inspire.