Today it’s our joy to bring you a guest post by my brother, Christopher, dad to four. We hope it encourages families in working with your sons on projects.
Joshua (5) loves equipment. He talks about equipment, and he thinks about equipment. A lot. Some nights I’ll talk with him as he’s in bed ready to go to sleep and every time the discussion turns to equipment and projects.
Grandpa Maxwell gave him a front-tine roto tiller a few years ago that needed a new carburetor, and we had a great time replacing that carburetor. Joshua didn’t mind at all that the first carburetor we ordered was the wrong one—it was just one more exciting step in the adventure. Occasionally, when I’m mowing the yard Joshua will pull the tiller out of the shed and horse it around the yard a bit (engine off). He has to work REALLY hard to get that thing moved around, yet he has a blast doing it. And, by the way, we are careful to run the engine dry/out of gas anytime we actually run the engine (while Joshua would love to replace the carburetor again, I’d rather not).
A neighbor was throwing away an electric blower, and we picked it up for Joshua. We plug it into a 25’ extension cord (I handle plugging the cord in), and then with safety glasses and hearing protection, he has a great time blowing leaves and debris off the back porch. At this time of year, oak trees in GiGi’s front lawn are dropping acorns on her driveway—to the point where they can be a safety hazard. With a 100’ extension cord he can take care of her whole driveway. While it does take me a bit longer to mow the yard, it’s a perfect project for him to do while we’re outside.
And while Joshua loves equipment, I love working on projects with Joshua. I always want to be interested in and have time not only for Joshua, but also the things that he’s interested in. And I always want to encourage him in areas that are beneficial for him right now, as well as areas that will benefit him in the future.
In Christ,
Christopher
“And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children,
and the heart of the children to their fathers,
lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
Malachi 4:6
Reading the post warmed my heart! I love spending time with my children (who are now adults) whether we are doing projects, taking a walk or just sipping tea in the rockers on the porch. All is quality time for us.
Jody,
Love your comment!
This is the kind of dad my husband is! Christopher’s post and pictures reminded me of something that happened when our son was a little boy. We were sitting at the table doing homeschool work and he heard what he thought was the blower. He burst into tears because he thought Daddy was doing it without him, and that was his job to do with Daddy!
So sweet! Thank you for sharing! Love to hear about dads investing in their children.
We have daughters (no sons) and I think it’s so important for fathers to do projects with their girls, invest time in their daughters. Girls can also do outdoor chores and bless their families with their efforts.
Yes, that’s a great point!
That’s so sweet. My husband is the same way with kids. He loves sharing all of his interests with him We only have boys, but I have prayed that the Lord might give us a girl one day. I’d love to see a post about the sorts of things Chris does with his daughters. Nathan or Joseph with their girls. 🙂
That’s great! Oh, awesome idea on the girls. My brothers are amazing working with their kids. I’ll put this on my list!
I love spending time with my boys. Few and far between now, with one in Brooklyn, NY, and one in London, England. We’ll all be together in London over Christmas. I can’t wait.
I love this!! What an excellent example to other families!
This is so precious!! The other day Chris had Jubilee in the front carrier while he vacuumed for me, and he was telling her all about vacuuming and helping around the house! It was so cute and blessed my heart.
Really sweet!
This is absolutely adorable! Joshua reminds me me of my little brother Joshua. He LOVES blowers, tractors, etc. and helping my dad with projects. The other day he was telling me about how they put a new carburetor on my dads lawn tractor. (I don’t even know what that is. 🙂 ) So cute!