It's the little things

[LuckyTheDog]

Recently, I had a turn-signal out on my car. Pretty simple thing. Easy to fix. So, I drove over to the auto parts store and bought a pair of bulbs (might as well replace both at the same time) for about $5.50.

My son -- who is 6 years old -- was with me. When we got home, I could have gone back outside and done the job in about 5 minutes. Instead, I turned it in to a 20-minute job by letting the kid "help."

Replacing a rear bulb on a 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx involves removing a couple screws, pulling off the light assembly, opening it up, removing and snapping in a new bulb and putting it back together. Like I said: simple. So, after loosening the screws, I gave the screwdriver to my son and let him remove them -- and then put them down in a spot where they would not get lost. I then put the bulbs in while he watched and then let him put the screws back -- with a little help from me.

Let me tell you... what was just a small job for me was a HUGE deal for him. The whole time he was using the screwdriver, he was smiling. A few times he said "I can't believe I'm working on a real car!" He was thrilled when we tested the lights and he saw that they worked.

When my wife came home, he wanted to tell her all about it. And he was still talking about it days later. Just yesterday, he was in the car with me. I mentioned that the turn signals were working well and he beamed with pride and said he was looking forward to doing the same when his mom's car needed it.

It was too cute.

I don't think I'll ever forget that little turn-signal repair.

[hippywife]

1. Very sweet story.

It is the little things that carry so much weight at that age. And will continue to be a happy memory for you both for years. :hi:

[Midlodemocrat]

2. What a sweet story! Thanks for sharing.

[femmocrat]

3. That is a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.

My older son was always "tinkering under the hood" with his dad. Even if there wasn't anything to repair, his dad with teach him about the car. Important skills and memories were created.

[DarkTirade]

4. Just wait until you get a headlight out.

:)

[Dr. Strange]

5. ...

I don't think I'll ever forget that little turn-signal repair.

Perhaps more importantly...neither will he.

[Muttocracy]

6. great story! nt

[AlCzervik]

7. Sweet! you might just have a furture engineer in your house.

thats a huge deal and he'll always have that.

[Oeditpus Rex]

8. Aw, man, this is makin' me mist up

I always "helped" my dad, whether it was changing the oil in the Rambler, painting the house or mowing the lawn. It gave me a love of all things mechanical and the idea that I should try to fix stuff instead of replacing it or paying someone else to fix it.

And I absolutely loved that he let me "help."

Y'done good, Lucky — maybe more than you know.

:applause:

[qb]

9. Thanks for the reminder. I sometimes say "I have to get this done quickly"

when my son wants to help. He helped me pick out and install a toilet today, so I am getting the hang of it :)

[Quantess]

10. You did the right thing, definitely.

It was worth it, wasn't it.

And...by the time he's a teen he'll be really good at handy work, and then you can dispatch him to do all kinds of work! }(

[Redstone]

11. Very nice story. Good for you, for having the perspective and patience.

Redstone

[astral]

12. I loved your story too

He was smiling and saying he can't believe he's working on a real car. He was having a major moment, knowing he was old enough to be helping you with your real car. It's really great that you thought of posting it here.

[trof]

13. Great! I've done the same with my grandson.

Jack is 5.
Last summer at my daughter's house I built a small 3' X 4' wooden 'bridge' from a garden gate, across a flower bed, to the patio.

I waited until Jack was down for his nap and cut all the boards to length. Then drilled all the screw holes. Assembled the whole thing and put the screws in. And then I backed all the screws out.

When Jack got up I asked him if he could help me with something.
His face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Do we have a JOB to do, Baba?"
"We do, Jack."

And with just a little help from me Jack put the whole thing back together. Then he ran to get his mom to show her what he'd made for her.
He was so proud.
:-)