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We've come across a few boxes that say, "your child may draw a picture..." to go along with the rest of the assignment. I take this to mean that drawing a picture is optional. My dd will ALWAYS draw and ds (who has CP and fatigues easily with writing or drawing of any kind) will ALWAYS decline. So, my question is will ds struggle in later guides if he is not doing the "optional" drawing now? Are there enough required activities to prepare him for the increased difficulty later on?

I read it as optional too. There are more drawing activities in Beyond too, which are not optional but it still depends on the child how much detail they want to include or leave out. My DD rushes through and her drawings are always very simple. So I imagine that's what your son would do too, and your daughter might decide to make hers more intricate. Drawing interest and talent grows, but I don't think it's something that needs to be pushed.

I don't think you'll have any problem going forward if you leave the drawings as optional for now! The older guides eventually have drawing instruction included, so that might help if your child is still a bit of a reluctant artist...

I agree with the good advice already given. Wyatt did not choose to do the drawing when it was optional, and Riley always did. Now with Emmett, it just depends on the day. Optional gives you the discretion as a parent. I always took that as "a nice extension" if dc enjoyed learning in that manner. My oldest in RevtoRev and my next oldest in PHFHG both do fine now with the drawing activities in HOD. I would probably make the same exact decisions you are - let the dd who loves to draw, draw; and let the ds who doesn't, not draw. I think that is a good sound decision! And I don't think it will work against any future plans in the guides. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you for the responses/advice ladies. It helps so much to hear from those of you that have BTDT:)