Teresa Hirst

The Question: Have I Seen the Hand Of God Reaching Out to Touch Us Today?

independent: adj. 1. Not governed by a foreign power; self-governing. 2. Free from the influence, guidance, control of another or others; self-reliant. 3. Not determined or influenced by someone or something else. 4. Not relying on others for support, care, or funds; self-supporting.

Our goal at home is to teach our children what they need to know to grow up to be responsible and independent. Teaching doesn’t just come by talking, though. They learn when they do. And, every little thing they do for themselves is a step toward independence.

This school year the circumstances of our lives created a new step for our children to climb—to make their own lunches for school. I make sure we have the food for them to choose and prepare, and they’re doing it.

Seven weeks into school, I see the change. Before, they pushed back about what went in the lunch. I stressed over the details of making it something they liked.

Now, what a relief. Yesterday, I stirred the hot cereal while Elena packed her apple and sandwich, and we talked over her day ahead. I loved not only having my hands freed of the mayonnaise jar and a knife, but my mind freed of the need to control her choices.

I told her, “The next step is to do your own laundry.”

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