The second of three manuals on attendant care for disabled persons is intended for parents of severely handicapped youth. An initial message reviews typcial reactions of parents to their child's quest for independence while subsequent sections address the basic principles of independent living and parents' responsibility for structuring learning experiences to promote responsible decision-making. Three independent living support systems are identified: (1) community support, (2) agency support, and (3) personal-emotional support. Guidelines on when to use personal care attendants and a list of resources conclude the manual. (CL)