Thread: I Hope This Isn't Your Kid

My initial point is there are kids who are really smart and willing to work hard on various mechanical projects but unfortunately don't get any (or at least not enough) useful adult guidance. I used an example from the shop where I teach in Fairfield County, CT. In this particular instance the dads seem to be dropping the kids off with someone else to do the teaching. It has nothing at all to do with the social status of the father. It is merely the lack of interest or concern. I grew up on a street where if there was a dad at all it seemed he was always working or drunk.

Today it is different. I have a few friends who are single moms who are proud of what they are teaching their sons but admit they are lacking. I spend alot of time with their sons trying to give them an opportunity to see what tools are and how to use them. The kid across the street is a very good student. He enjoys woodworking and I am now finding out he likes to cook. He asked me to teach him how to make a smoked chicken for his birthday!

Am I putting anyone down? If you think so, you are entitled to your wrong opinion.

Originally Posted by jockeys

what's wrong with that? hell, when i was a kid we used to put on our heaviest sweaters and sunglasses and run around shooting each other with pellet guns.

We did that! And we had giant cushions as shields & 3 darts each as spears. I fondly remember seeing one of mine removed from a rivals back by his friend! Those were the days.

Originally Posted by icedog

One group will work with the boys sincerely trying to create a car that will not be an embarrassment to the kid on race day. The other group of fathers will abandon their sons and gather in a corner of the shop to discuss investment strategies, the new Bimmer or how hot the nanny is.
The latter group would know the difference between a hack saw and a table saw and their kid never sees them but they consider themselves superior to me as I teach their sons shop safety.

Wow, what a superior attitude you display against those fathers. Who is it you think feels superior to the other?

Matt

edit: Also, my father is a doctor (veterinarian) and he taught me how to make one of these "guns" when I was 7 years old. He also taught me how to throw horseshoe nails, how to fix a car, build a retaining wall, rebuild an engine, replace a clutch, build a building (12x12 shed), wire the electricity to a house, etc... . Your generalization of the wealthier individuals in society is baseless and completely absured.

Originally Posted by mhailey

Wow, what a superior attitude you display against those fathers. Who is it you think feels superior to the other?

Matt

... . Your generalization of the wealthier individuals in society is baseless and completely absured.

I wonder why you would attack poor little me? I even voiced a disclaimer saying I don't like generalizations. I display no attitude toward any fathers at all. I help the kids make their cars. If the father isn't standing by I have no interface with him at all. Of course you have no way of knowing any of what your talking about so I will just let you be. Oh and the word is "absurd".

Thanks for dismissing my point. Maybe I touched a nerve?

Originally Posted by icedog

Oh and the word is "absurd".

You mean like the word is Competent?

I'm all for defending your self and making a point, but let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Sarcasm and patronization do not, always, need to be employed.

Originally Posted by icedog

It is always obvious which fathers are competant in a shop and which are actually bad influences on their sons.

Well thank you Greg. I'm sure Matt will be glad to see you are on his side even if it is off topic.

You are much mistaken if you think I am taking sides, I just don't like to see people belittled by someone who is being hypocritical. If you had perfect spelling and grammar, I would not have said anything.

Originally Posted by icedog

Oh and the word is "absurd".

Your intellect is truly dizzying. Pointing out a typo makes your point. I stand corrected.

Matt

Originally Posted by mhailey

Your intellect is truly dizzying. Pointing out a typo makes your point. I stand corrected.

Matt

Wowie kazowie Matt you sure are angry with me. Is that your kid? If it is I'm impressed with his ingenuity, even if he doesn't know that scissors aren't the best tool to cut wood.

I think I found that kid's big brother...
YouTube - Flare Gun Fail