The Birth of the Week of 12: Empowering Kids for Independence

2014 Post-bunionectomy making a father’s day present

When I first started homeschooling, I quickly realized that education wasn’t just about academics—it was about preparing my kids for real life. Over time, I saw that many parents, including myself, were unintentionally doing too much for their kids. One mom I highly respected once shared her goal of having her children capable of running a household by age 12. That idea resonated deeply with me—I wanted my own children to grow up capable, confident, and prepared to manage a household independently before their teen years.

Where It All Started

I left home without being able to do laundry, dishes or make a doctor's appointment. I was good at saving money, but I didn't understand insurance or credit, and I remember wondering what a mortgage was.

My childhood was amazing, and I navigated young adulthood with the help of roommates and friends. However, I noticed that some of my peers in college carried themselves with a confidence and capability that I admired, and I knew I wanted to instill those same qualities in my children.

The picture above shows my children when they first started "running the home" as 1, 2, and 3-year-olds. I was on crutches for six weeks after foot surgery, and during that time, those three toddlers took on laundry, cared for the dogs, cleaned up, and served meals and snacks when Dad wasn’t around. I was amazed at what they were capable of and realized that I wanted their childhood to be full of rich experiences while also shaping them into capable, responsible adults.

Between my background in education, my experience fostering, and the lessons I have learned from parenting three kiddos close in age (who have countless friends come through our home), I have noticed a clear gap in what kids are being taught at home. So many life skills—cooking, budgeting, cleaning, time management—were either rushed or completely left out. And often, by the time kids were expected to take on responsibilities, they lacked the skills to do so confidently. 

I didn’t want that for my children, so I started implementing an intentional system where, by age 12, they would have the competence to run a household. I called it the Week of 12—not because it’s a one-week course, but because it represents a shift in parenting. It’s a milestone where children transition from needing constant guidance to stepping into real responsibility.

How It Grew into a System

At first, this was just something I was doing in my home. But as I shared what I was teaching my kids, other parents started asking, “How did you do this? Can I do it too?” The answer was yes—any parent can equip their child with these skills, but they need a clear path to follow. That’s when I knew this had to become something bigger.

The Week of 12 is now a structured approach that breaks down life skills into manageable lessons, giving parents a road map to prepare their kids for independence. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress and confidence.

Why It Matters

When kids reach the Week of 12 milestone, they gain more than just skills—they gain ownership over their lives. They learn to manage a home, care for themselves, and contribute in meaningful ways. Parents move from constantly directing to confidently stepping back, knowing their kids are ready.

I created this because I believe every child benefits from entering their teen years with the tools they need to succeed. And every parent can have a plan that makes this transition easier.

If this resonates with you, I’d love to help you implement it in your home. What life skills do you wish you had learned earlier? Let’s make sure the next generation is ready!