It always seems like our stress gets amped up during the holidays – traveling, planning, spending money, seeing family and friends – it’s a lot to manage. We’re told this is a time to slow down, reflect and celebrate.

Farm succession planning is a critical topic that often gets brushed under the rug due to a variety of emotional and practical reasons. Families and farmowners may avoid discussing succession because of deeply rooted values, fear of mortality and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

Needless to say, my farm mom era isn’t exactly looking like I thought it would. Almost a year and a half later, with the exception of a few milkings being worn in a baby carrier or sleeping in a laundry basket as a cherubic newborn – those visions and dreamed-out-loud plans have not come to fruition.

As a cattleman and the father of four daughters, Mark Templeton remembers many remarks over the years about whether he and his wife would “try again for a boy” so they’d have help on the ranch.

Twenty-five years ago, I would have told you that topics like self confidence and insecurities were a bunch of fluff. However, I’ve been through a lot and can tell you that it is the soft issues that become hard problems in farming.

As I sit here and write this, a very special day is coming up for us soon. It will be our wedding anniversary.