ya know - Gilbert's (yea, yet another one a my brothers) 2 kids probably had some similar lack a "homestead" experience from their parents - but they got it from my parents - they useta eat their lunches at recess so that they could come and have lunch at their grandparent's house (just 5 blocks away from school). They would chose ta spend saturdays with their grandparents, evenings, anytime they could at that house - guess mom had quite a lot ta think about after living 57 years in that house - that was, BTW to a large extent, buit by my father & grandfather.
Speakin a grandfather - oh wait - that's for another post!