SELF-RELIANCE

Our focus this summer is self-reliance.  As we have been discussing and implementing this, it's been interesting.  A few things I have noticed and some things I hope to accomplish.

confidence- they discover what they are capable of instead of relying on me
willingness to help- they are starting to realize that it takes a lot of work to keep things going, they have asked me more what they can do to help
pride in a job well done
learn important life skills
good quantity time with the kids- this is important to build communication and trust while working together.

I read a quote that said that life is 90% maintenance.  This seems to be true.  One of my major goals as a parent is to raise my children to be responsible, hard working members of society.  To reach this goal, they need to learn to work and accomplish things themselves.

I've found that I am managing too much of their lives.  There are many things that they should be managing on their own.  They know that during church or family prayers they should sit quietly and participate.  I am constantly reminding them.  I need  to give them the tools to do these things themselves. This is where we started.