Could You Be Amish?

Crystalina wrote: Even for a day?

My DH and I deal with the Amish all the time and he and I have talked about how we love their simple ways. My question is could you do it? No car, no electric. If you do drive in a car you must rely on an "Englishman" (that would be us) to get you there.

I, personally, would love to do it for about a week just so I can experiance what the women go through. I speak to the men alot but the women don't speak much and I would love to dig into their heads a little.

I have to say one thing, thier kids are SO well behaved and respectful.

1lilpeanut2love replied: I am fascinated with the AMish for some reason. Sure I would love to live or be one for a little bit!! My SO and I went to PA a few summers ago and we rode on a very-travelled road in a Horse and Buggy. We had fun!! I loved it. LOL. We have a bunch of Amish her in Southern Maryland too. I have heard horror stories about the Amish on the news-- talks of incest and not telling anyone.

gr33n3y3z replied: Oh yes
I could do it no problem for about a week maybe 2
We are going to Pa. for a long weekend and thats where were going to visit

MyLuvBugs replied: I could definately do it for a day, maybe a week, but longer.....I don't know. After a week though, your body starts to get used to the routine, so maybe. The first week would definately be the hardest.

I would love to do it though to gain the cooking and sewing skills/experience. They have some of the BEST quilters, and make some of the best baked goods. YUMMY!

mckayleesmom replied:
ditto....but I wouldn't be able to make it permanent.

holley79 replied: I could handle full time but then I would miss all of you because no electricty means now computer means no internet means no PC.

My3LilMonkeys replied: Could I do it - probably. Would I want to? Maybe for a week or so.

redchief replied: Would it be cheating if I brought along my laptop and went to Borders say, once a day or so to check my emai?

luvmykids replied: It would be interesting but I love my coffee and computer too much! Although when I was young I swore I was Laura Ingalls reincarnated, and would have given anything to do it then!

mommymonster replied:

I agree here! I would enjoy trying that way of life as a family experience, a way to show what real 'team work' around the home is!

redchief replied:
It's not really hard to figure out why their children would be so good and respectful. Think about it. If our kids are naughty or flippant, they might have to do some extra chores like bring in firewood, fold the laundry, or clean a room. Amish kids already DO those chores and much more every day. Imagine what extra chores to one of those kids would be like! *Shudder* I wouldn't stray either.

mckayleesmom replied:
Ya...Our kids break curfew and they get grounded....their kids break curfew and have to build a barn...

PrairieMom replied: i wouldn't mind trying it for a while, i think it would be an interesting experieance.

MM'sMama replied: A day or two yes. More no way.

CAMSMOM1 replied: Here's a blonde moment for me, but I didn't know they still exsisted in the USA??

I figured they were still around in the other countries, but here? I guess I have lived in Cali to long, and don't realize what else is out there.


I think it would be a good experience. I really would enjoy learning more about myself, what I could handle, and go without. I'd probably have withdrawls from my computer, soda w/ice, wash machine...but it would be good for me to learn how to work hard. I know that sounds silly, but everything is so easy the way it is now. And I know I would have more time with DH & Cam. Maybe I should give up the tv/internet for a week, and see how I do. That would be interesting!

gr33n3y3z replied: I do know this much
They do come here on vacation bc I see about 5 older guys and their boys go fishing at the public dock across the street from our house.
I feel like telling them your wasting your time fishing there lol
But how they get here???? Not sure bc I see them walking around the whole time they are here and I only seen the woman a few times in WaWa buying milk and eggs ... bc you cant bring cows here.
When the kids go swimming they wear their everyday clothes minus the bonnets on the girls.

TANNER'S MOM replied: I could do it.. I often talk about the simpler times.

I have a friend of mine. Her and her husband got tired of the hustle of life. Alot of things were going wrong. They had a sick grandchild..and they wanted to escape.

They bought a mountain. They had horses etc. They built 2 log cabins. One for themselves and one for their teenage boys. They built an outhouse and a shower house. And they lived very peacefully for about 7 years. When the grand daughter got older they moved back to town so she could go to public school etc.

But I really enjoyed my visits there. SOem of my foundest memories. They chopped wood for heat. You went to bed at dark and up at daylight. Janie cooked wonderful meals on an open fire and dutch oven.

They didn't do quite like the Amish. They did go to town for laundry etc. But they had no running water or electric. Very quite and peaceful though.

THey did haul Spring water to bath in the shower house. COld water for sure!

fashionmumofboys replied: I could probably do it for maybe a day or so, but not for much longer.

TANNER'S MOM replied: You know when I think of this... I am thinking Yes they classic roles that modern times doens't always approve of. But wow..they spend family time together. The Husband and Wives show each other alot of respect, that is passed on to their kids. They learn how to help a neighbor in need no questions ask. If someone needs something they don't question the motive. They make due with what they have, and praise God for it.

I am thinking there is something to be said for that. The children gets lot of time with family and friends. THey maybe working, doing chores etc. But a little hard work never hurt any one. Their Moms and Dad never say.. just a second son.. Wait until I get off the internet or phone. I am sayign that about me. I think the personally communcation is the key there!

C&K*s Mommie replied: I am not sure. I remember seeing Oprah and her friend doing it one time, and the little bit that I caught-- she seemed miserable. But I only saw a portion of it, so I cannot speak for her and everything that went well.

If I went there to live like that, possibly. Would I want to? No. But as an experiment to say that I did it, I would give it a go. Sure.

But to take their example an apply it to my life here and now. No I could not, at least not voluntarily. Being without electric, or without cars is almost normal here, at least after a hurricane anyways. So that is nothing new, but having to rely on an outhouse, or killing our own food, making our own clothes, getting up at the crack of dawn and having to tell time by the sun (not good at now anyways), I could not do it. But the biggest one: Not being able to speak.... oh my! My DH would be in heaven!!

Cece00 replied: I could not do it.

I sat here thinking about it for a second....but no way.

Every day, I wash clothes- you couldnt pay me enough to do that by hand. I use the dishwasher- again, I already hate doing the kitchen stuff, so no way could I do it by hand...

We couldnt watch TV/cartoons (my kids would be so upset )

You dont have electricity- no way.

So, no, there is no way I could do it. Not even for a day. I'm wayyyy too much of a modern girl.