What I've become convinced of is that in my short time as a mother, everyone thinks they've figured IT out once they find something that works for them. But really, you haven't figured IT out, you've only figured IT out for you and your child - and no doubt about it, the relationship between mother (or parent) and child is a relationship like any other, requiring give and take, and you have to figure out what works for BOTH personalities, not just one. There are also many paths to the same outcome. Just because your 7 year old or even your 7th grader is not yet capable advocating for themselves in a school setting does not mean that they won't be when they are a bit older. I wasn't, I was painfully shy and would have just "suffered in silence" if I had to handle it all on my own - yet by the time I went to college I was most of the way toward being capable of taking care of myself and went the rest of the way while in college. By the time I went to grad school I regularly went head to head with people far smarter than I am and learned a lot in the process and I can assure you that even as a freshman in college, mommy and daddy did nothing but offer a sympathetic ear or sage advice even though they had been more involved in the 7th grade. It is not about the perfection or lack thereof in life, it's about recognizing what is the best way for you to help your child become the person you (and they) wish them to be. Babies do not have to be "independent" at 3 months old, kids do not have to be mini grownups and "get it" (all of it, the big picture) by middle school to become independent, capable young adults. I know there is a lot of lamenting about the current generation and their seeming inability to act like adults but I would argue that this is the product of lack of attention when they needed it as children rather than too much attention (and substitution of "stuff" for involvement by parents). The kids who turned out that way are most often belonging to parents who never bothered to think about how their choices would affect their children in the long term at all - not about the parents who thought about it in the first place and "chose wrong" by speaking to a child's teacher or homeschooling or whatever else you think is wrong with what other parents are doing.

Keep the shakes! They lend your house character and texture and are fitting for the style. I think it would be bland without them. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you need to keep them stained. Paint is always an option. White is always a classic choice and never goes out of style, whether you keep the shingles stained or not. Greys have been around for some time now and may begin to look dated sooner than you'd like. One idea that I have been loving a LOT is to go darker. Just an idea! Best of luck!

Nice house. Like your front door and the entry you've created. Would not add shutters to any windows. it is the contrasting trim, even without steep roof lines, suggests the Tudor vibe. The two story roof being extended over the entry suggests the Chalet vibe -- but it also could be a more modern or even a mid-century modern vibe without the contrasting trim. Would want the entire house one color -- no contrasting trim color and no contrasting garage door color. That said, IF you want your front entry to be m ore dominant, painting the entry porch ceiling and the walls beneath it and the porch post a different color -- or different shade of the same color -- as the siding could help make your entry the focal point of the front of the house.

I assume by modern you mean more up to date. Not necessarily modern style like sharp corners, colder tones.... I love what you did and I think adding black trim would be amazing. Remove the landscape. You don’t need much by the porch. You need some by the right side of the house and for that I’d do something neat and simple. Two rows of boxwoods? I would for sure update the walkway. Maybe the same whitewash brick in a herringbone pattern. And can’t wait to see the new shutters. This is such an awesome home!! Love it. Love what you did. Looks amazing and will look even better!!