When is a child too young to learn (SHARE YOUR STORY)

[Dar]

Quote:
Nothing to feel guilty about at all. You haven't done his laundry since he was 12 and I would have to say that you get an A+ for that. You are right in line with many of us here on the thread. You taught him and you did a great job at that.

As far as the car stuff, I think he will learn that on his own. Guys have the brain and mind to figure out all of that mechanical stuff. I think he will be OK. No need to worry about him in that department.

LOL dont be too sure... I was in an accident a few months ago and my oldest was with me one day and I needed to get gas. So I pulled into the station and asked him to pump gas for me and check my oil.... he had no clue... it seems like I taught them about inside chores but I neglected to teach them car stuff... correcting that mistake with my other children

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:

I cannot stop laughing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is so funny. My side is hurting from laughing so hard. I'm over here crying from lauging so hard.

LOL @ it took me almost an hour just to start the truck
LOL @ another hour to get it up the rest of the way up the hill.
LOL @ after about the 100th time jack rabbiting I floored it and left the tires on the road when I skidded out of there

Oh, I think you had it worst than I did.

Thank you for making me laugh. I needed that laugh.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
Nothing to feel guilty about at all. You haven't done his laundry since he was 12 and I would have to say that you get an A+ for that. You are right in line with many of us here on the thread. You taught him and you did a great job at that.

As far as the car stuff, I think he will learn that on his own. Guys have the brain and mind to figure out all of that mechanical stuff. I think he will be OK. No need to worry about him in that department.

LOL dont be too sure... I was in an accident a few months ago and my oldest was with me one day and I needed to get gas. So I pulled into the station and asked him to pump gas for me and check my oil.... he had no clue... it seems like I taught them about inside chores but I neglected to teach them car stuff... correcting that mistake with my other children

LOL. That is just a very tiny technicality. I have confidence in him that he will do just fine.

But you can still keep us posted on how he does.

 

[QH Girl]

Thank you all for teaching your children survival skills! My MIL was only able to have one child (she wanted lots) and spoiled my husband beyond belief. I'm pretty sure he'd only last about a week on his own... his mother still apologizes for making him so rotten.

My kids have always had chores. It's amazing the chores I hate to do that don't bother the kids in the least. My son loves to vacuum and clean toilets. He gets no arguments from me

My stepdaughter came to live with us when she was 16. She'd never been allowed to operate the dishwasher, washer or dryer cause she might push the wrong buttons

. She'd also never been allowed to use sharp knives. We worked all that out pretty quick.

 

[Circe]

I let my almost 3 year old clean the toilets with lemon Koolaid. Smells good, looks good, I didn't have to do it, and he is super proud.

 

[Dar]

Quote:
just be super careful he does not mistake a cleaner thats yellow with the kool aid.

The thought never dawned on me that kids would confuse the 2 until I had a bottle of windex one day and my son took it off the ledge of the window and called it juice and was about to squirt it into his mouth... he had the blue gatoraid in the past and confused the 2

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
Awwwww, that is so nice . I never thought about using lemon koolaid to clean the toilets.

Note to self:Lemon Kool-aid to clean toilets. Got it.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
just be super careful he does not mistake a cleaner thats yellow with the kool aid.

The thought never dawned on me that kids would confuse the 2 until I had a bottle of windex one day and my son took it off the ledge of the window and called it juice and was about to squirt it into his mouth... he had the blue gatoraid in the past and confused the 2

That's a good safety note.

 

[Whiskey Bay]

Julie,I absolutely agree with you whole heartedly. I've seen so many kids these days with EVERYTHING,and they get it for nothing. Now my boys have alot,but most of it they buy themselves. They will work around the house,or go out and make money other ways(not bad ways!!) My oldest boy worked with one of the local feedstore/barn owners a few summers ago until he completely shattered his elbow and had to have it reconstructed.If it is something to get them out and doing stuff,I will usually get it,but if it's games or anything 'extra' it's up to them. For example. To get my oldest boy away from the bad influences going through the area,I got him into fishing. Actually got more into it.So I bought everyone a pole or two and neccessities.BUT if he wanted a certain type of pole(more expensive ,hold more line/weight) he had to buy it himself.He wanted certain baits,he bought.To get him away from the 'saggies',he actually strted wearing shorts and button up(fishing type) shirts. flip flops...etc... Went from looking like a street hood to a yacht clubber...lol... I will buy them a 6 pack of soda,otherwise they can drink tea,water,koolaid,milk.... they want more they walk to the store and buy it for themselves.(I have a 16yr &14 yr). They are worlds apart.The 16 yo is self sufficient. He cooks for himself,does his own clothes, can do lots of hard work.Hunts,accurate with weapons,Can handle himself,buys his own stuff cause 'he likes certain stuff'.He's very very mature for his age.I buy school clothes,supplies,personal health stuff..you know the usual stuff. The 14 yo on the other hand is very VERY intelligent,however,doesn't present with much common sense. I just started letting him go to the store by himself( it's about 800 ft away,but across a busy rd.) Because he does not look to see if a car is coming or anything.Or he does/says stuff without thinking. And it really is that way.VERY intelligent with no sense.... I bought him a lego set a few years back.One of those HUGE millenium falcon billion piece sets. I figured it would keep him busy all weekend or more.30 minutes later he comes out the room,completely assembled,with no extra pieces...and extra parts added.!!! I have shown him how to wash clothes(many times), everything. But he will ALWAYS say he doesn't know how... I don't think I'll ever get through to that one. Then my two girls.... 4 yr and 2yr.They both know how to open the back door to let their puppies out,they both can go into the fridge and get them a snack or something to drink(usually made for them and put in a convenient spot).The 4 yo will wash her own hair,they both dress themselves(although not always with good choices...lol),know how to work the computers,the tv,video games, etc.... They try to pick up for me. And are very smart.The 4 yo old will load the washer and they both will load/unload the dryer.They just love doing what their big brother does.so they learn very quickly.However they just dont know how to measure the soap...lol... They can feed and water the animals.They know around water they always have their vests on,they can actually catch fish.
I also agree with Potterwatch and zipity.I was an only child,raised by my grandma.She'd have me do some stuff when I was little,then i moved to MS with my mom and went completely downhill [so to speak].I was left to fend for myself for the most part. My mom moved in with my gma when she moved down here and I stayed in the old house by myself.From the age of late 14 I fended for myself.No cooking skills,nothing.I worked down at the barn to buy food and pay for my horse feed. food was usually junk food from the vending machines or the store on the corner. I ran the streets like an unruly teenager,got into trouble, all kindsa stuff. Usually this is a bad path for kids.I know.I've watched many of my friends die ,go to prison or get so bad into drugs it's unreal. However with my mindset i guess,i never went down the really bumpy roads.I use this experience in my life today,with my own kids. Sometimes I just wish they could look back at my past experiences and see what the bad life is like...they would never want to make those choices.My oldest son has his mind set on a military career.He starts JROTC this coming school year,and prety much knows more about the military than the military itself.Def more than our president...lol... He drives me around sometimes.He doesn't have complete confidence. I learned how to drive from driving an old standard isuzu pickup that belonged to one of the guys at the barn. He told me to go run to somebodies house one day,and said take the truck. I said i don't know how to drive a standard...he said by the time you get back..you'll have it figured out.I actually did pretty good...lol....I learned how to work on cars from him and from staying up long nights with an ex(who is now living a life of incarceration).I can pretty much take an old fashion straight six apart and put it back together. I can listen and id lots of issues. On my mazda I knew i needed a timing belt and had a couple valves,while evryone was telling me my starter or cyllenoid had gone out...lol...
I say keep up with the 'boot camp'. I send my kids over to work at the barn (my boot camp) anytime I can, because had it not been for the owner, I would not know what hard work and appreciation was.I would have probly been in a bad place now. However,FROM MY LIFE EXPERIENCES, I worked my ass off from the age of 20,lost everything I owned to katrina( including my huge debt of a home),only to bounce back fighting.I lived in a mobile home until last year when my home was finished being built.We built it from the ground up with NO LOANS OR MORTGAGES. PAid for what we needed as we went.Built as we had it.With labor help from awesome volunteers from church. My home,2 cars,everything else I own outright.I pay lights and food.cellphone, cable,internet...that's all luxuries.My oldest son has a cellphone,he works for his portion of the bill.My youngest wants one,but doesn't wanna work for it.So he has none....cell phone for kids is a luxury..for them. If I leave the house,i leave a phone for emergencies.

 

[Circe]

The only cleaners we pretty much use are vinegar and baking soda, so he would be ok. We just have to watch him when we are other places.