8 Enduring Homemaking Lessons from Little House on the Prairie |

In this post: Be inspired by Caroline Ingalls and her family with these homemaking lessons from Little House on the Prairie.

As a millennial growing up in the 90s, I spent a lot of time watching Pa and Ma Ingalls, along with Mary, Laura, Almanzo, and Nellie. Even though the show is now many years old, it still has a dedicated following.

Why is this show about a family struggling to survive on the prairie so appealing in a world filled with special effects, plot twists, and complex storylines?

In our modern world, many of us long for a simple life. While we appreciate modern amenities like running water, cars, and electricity, we also wish we could live more like the Ingalls family on the prairie.

The show—and the beloved books they are based on—have a lasting effect. People are drawn to their simple but powerful lessons about hard work, faith, family, and friendship.

In This Post

The Enduring Legacy of Little House

When I was a child watching Little House on the Prairie, or reading the book series, I was always drawn to Laura and Mary’s adventures. I pretended to have my own dugout or little cabin. I even convinced my mom to buy me a “ragdoll.”

As an adult reading the books to my boys, I still love Laura and her tales of wagons, prairie fires, and grasshoppers. But now, I find myself most inspired by Caroline Ingalls—or “Ma,” as we all know her.

Her husband, Charles, was a dreamer, always restless and searching for the next opportunity. Most of us would’ve gotten impatient with him. But Caroline followed him faithfully across the country, leaving behind her comfortable cabin and extended family.

She lived in a wagon, a tent, a dugout, a tiny cabin, a storefront, and finally their own prairie homestead.

I admire her patience, love, and hospitality in every situation. Now, as a homemaker, I see so many lessons we can learn from Ma Ingalls.

house in the middle of a prairie field — A little home can still be filled with joy!

8 Lessons from Little House for Modern Homemakers

Electricity, running water, and cars have all been invented since Ma Ingalls lived in South Dakota. Even though she never loaded a dishwasher or preheated her electric oven, she has plenty of lessons to teach us.

Here are eight faith-filled lessons we can learn from the “original” homemaker.

1. Be Content in All Circumstances

While following Charles across the West, Caroline faced many hardships. They camped beside the wagon and eventually used the wagon cover to make a tent. They lived in a small cabin, a sod house, and at one point, a storefront.

In The Long Winter, they barely survived with no wood for fire and very little food. But no matter the situation, Ma never complained.

She had learned the truth of Philippians 4:11:

“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Just like Ma, we can practice gratitude—even when the budget is tight, the carpet is threadbare, and the kids have all outgrown their shoes.

2. Routine and Rhythm Are Beautiful

I doubt you or I will ever load our possessions into a wagon and move across the country. But many of us have faced big life changes—a new baby, a new job, or a move.

Change was constant for the Ingalls family. But Ma stuck to her daily routines no matter what. She swept the floors—even when they were dirt. She did laundry on the same day each week, baked bread, and made the beds.

Even in isolation during harsh winters, she kept the family grounded with rhythm and routine.

We can do the same. Creating routines for your home—like morning chores, meal planning, family devotions, and bedtime—simplifies life and creates peace.

simple farmhouse style table with four chairs — Hospitality can be simple.

3. Hospitality Doesn’t Require Perfection

One story that stands out to me is when a newly married man brought his bride to visit the Ingalls family. Even though they lived in a shanty and didn’t have much, Ma offered her best.

Sometimes we hesitate to invite others in because of Pinterest and social media. If our homes or meals aren’t picture-perfect, we feel embarrassed.

But true hospitality isn’t about appearance—it’s about offering friendship and warmth. People don’t need perfection. They need connection.

4. Working with Your Hands is a Blessing

Ma Ingalls never used a refrigerator or looked up sourdough recipes on a smartphone. She was always busy—and when she didn’t have something to do, she made something to do.

She helped Charles lay logs for their cabin, took over barn chores when needed, and twisted straw into bundles to keep the stove going during The Long Winter.

She also cooked from scratch, sewed their clothes, and made their home feel warm and welcoming.

Today, we have so many conveniences, but we can miss the blessing of meaningful work. Learning simple skills like baking, sewing, or gardening can be deeply rewarding.

5. Children Thrive with Responsibility

Laura Ingalls Wilder became a schoolteacher at just fifteen years old! That kind of responsibility might seem shocking today, but it wasn’t unusual at the time.

Ma gave her children age-appropriate chores early on. Laura and Mary learned to help with barn chores, cooking, and sewing. When Pa was away, they took on even more.

While our kids may not need to teach school, they are capable of more than we think. Giving them responsibility builds confidence and character.

6. Faith Anchors the Home

Families on the prairie often couldn’t attend church for months. Still, they honored the Sabbath and made it a day of rest.

In Farmer Boy, Almanzo’s family went to church in the morning and spent the rest of the day resting, reading Scripture, and doing absolutely nothing.

That kind of quiet Sunday sounds foreign today. But the Ingalls and Wilders built their lives on faith—and it made all the difference.

As modern homemakers, we can do the same. Daily Bible reading, prayer, family devotions, and Scripture memory lay a strong foundation for our homes.

woman walking through a field of yellow flowers — A simple life is beautiful.

7. Simple Living Brings Joy

One of my favorite things about the Little House books is the joy the children had with so little. A piece of candy, a penny, and an orange made Christmas magical.

Ma’s most prized possession was a porcelain shepherdess she carefully wrapped in every move.

There were no influencers or targeted ads. Life was slower, and joy was found in the everyday.

We can find that joy too. Take walks. Watch the sunset. Make popcorn on the stove. Tell stories by firelight. These small moments are what life is really about.

8. Strength Comes Through Hardship

The Ingalls family endured so much: grasshopper plagues, failed crops, long winters, poverty, blindness, and uncertainty.

But through every trial, they pressed on. They stayed together. They persevered.

Today, it’s easy to feel like we need the latest technology or a perfect home to be happy. But the Ingalls family reminds us that love, faith, and unity matter more than anything else.

How to Live a Little House Life

Life today is easier than it was for the Ingalls family. We have dishwashers, central heat, and online grocery pickup.

But that doesn’t mean our lives are simpler.

We can still choose to:

Embrace a slower pace
Be content with less
Find joy in the small things
Raise responsible children
Anchor our homes in faith

Homemaking isn’t just about cleaning and cooking—it’s about shaping a legacy.

Let’s bring back the old-fashioned values of love, hospitality, faith, and simplicity. Let’s live like Ma Ingalls every day.

8 Enduring Homemaking Lessons from Little House on the Prairie