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I really am realizing more and more how wonderful it is that independence is built into the guides in a gradual manner. I think I may have a different perspective since I have a high schooler and I see how independent she is expected to be with her subjects. I can look at my ds and think "he will never be that independent" and then I see how HOD is getting him there step by step. It is easy for me to want to do too much for him or to help him, especially because of his disability. Sometimes it is hard for me to push him, but when he sees in the guide that a box is independent then he wants to do it that way. Sometimes I do miss all the cuddle on the couch time we had last year with Preparing, but then I see how good he feels about being able to do things independently like his big sister and I realize it is all part of God's plan to lead him toward manhood. Just some thoughts I had today as I was watching him work.

That's a wonderful thing to hear as I know it applies to me too. It's a good thing that those are built into the guide for me as well. I know even now I hear my son saying something like, "I can do that myself." I don't know why, but it is much harder for me to let go and allow him to be independent than my daughter. It will be good for me to have those boxes that are semi-independent and then independent. Hmm, I wonder are the guides supposed to be training them or me???

I too am so thankful for this guidance from HOD. I remember looking at WWTB and thinking my ds would not be ready for it - but by the time we did it, he was! I have had this thought many times over, and stand proved corrected, for my ds really can do what is asked of him because HOD has prepared him so well to do it. I fear I may have always been a "hoverer" with my oldest ds otherwise, and he was ready to have me stop hovering long before I was. I feel like we get the best of both worlds as our dc mature using HOD. I get to hold on to the things I really still need to teach, and let go of the ones my ds is ready to take over. I'm especially thankful for the Biblical guidance and character trait discussions, as these are heartfelt discussions I'm glad we have the time to have.

In Christ,
Julie