At the beginning of the chapter, a story is shared about a mom who pushes her son. She left him home alone for the first time feeling that he was ready while she attended a workshop and her husband was teaching. At one point he contacts her upset and says there is an emergency. After her initial panic, she finds that the “emergency” is that he spilled the gallon of milk and now has a mess and no breakfast. She tells him where the towels are and pushes him to clean up his mess and find himself breakfast. He protests but she tells him she’s going to have to do it and says goodbye. He is proud of himself 30 minutes later when he texts her that he did it!
Life with our students can be much like this; if we don’t push them to try it on their own, they will rely on our support more than necessary.
