Brody's Dog House

Brody had a homework assignment over the weekend. Last week, the theme was construction, so he was to build something using food containers or other recycled materials. After the last homework assignment, the teacher sent an email asking for the parents not to help so much with the homework. So, we really stepped back and let him do it himself, and we were proud of how it came out!

We asked him what he wanted to build, and he said a dog house for Howser (my mom and dad's new/Ethan's old dog). Heath gathered up some old boxes from the recycling bin, grabbed Brody's scissors, some markers and packing tape, and they got to work. Brody did all the cutting and designing. Heath helped with the frame of the house and offered an extra set of hands for taping.

I just loved all the details, like the swinging doggy door, the name above the door, and the drawings of himself and Howser.

Then, when I dropped Brody off at school on Tuesday, I noticed a couple other buildings that the kids brought in. It was obvious that the parents did more than just assist and supervise. And it made me a little upset. We were so proud of how Brody did on his project, and then we show up at school and half of the preschool class is gathered around a 2 and a half foot castle painted grey with a red roof, complete with a dragon. I'm kind of torn on whether I should feel like we underachieved here, or if we did the right thing by letting him take the lead and do most of the work on his own. I'm sure that this is the first of MANY situations like this!