| One of the biggest blows to boyhood dreams is the | | | | I think we won't deny that to have the go kart project |
| constant project over-runs, or the "yeah that's the | | | | is a good idea, but implementing it can be another |
| gokart my Dad and I are working on...it sits in the | | | | whole ball game. |
| corner over there!" You can tell the disappointment in | | | | I am trying to steer us into making it a priority, because |
| the son's voice and he looks away in mild disgust. | | | | it is more than just a "luxury item." It is a teaching tool, it |
| "Dad, you promised we would have the go kart running | | | | could mold the future a great way for your child. And |
| this summer. It has been all summer vacation and | | | | most definitely it will improve your interpersonal skills |
| nothing has happened!" This scenario can easily | | | | with your child. Instead of being the parent who comes |
| happen, and will easily happen if you have any sort of | | | | home exhausted and wiped out by work, who sits at |
| family life. Let's face it priorities in life are: family, | | | | the table and makes a few irrelevant comments, you |
| Church, food, vacation, lawn care, swimming, tennis, | | | | can get on their level and have goals on their level and |
| basketball, baseball, soccer....gokarts...? | | | | work towards a solution on their level. |
| Go Karts will come last place, because they are a | | | | Kids just want to be understood, and so do parents. |
| luxury item. To a kid though they are more than just a | | | | The best way to get to a mutual understanding about |
| luxury item, they are an experience. An experience of | | | | a problem or life for that matter, is to work towards a |
| multi-facets. The "Hobby" needs to have priority. To a | | | | same goal. The go kart is that tool. I would look at it as |
| kid the "hobby" is the research and development stage | | | | more than just one weekend, because quite honestly |
| of his or her life. Hobbies are usually constructive in | | | | (as we have pointed out in other articles) it takes more |
| many ways should be encouraged when practical. | | | | than just one weekend. It might take the whole |
| Sometimes hobbies have to be started, or kids have | | | | summer. And you know what? That is great, that is |
| to be introduced to them, they will not spontaneously | | | | what you want, a project that you can keep going to |
| erupt. | | | | and keep working on. So ideally, make it stretch out |
| A hobbies benefits are in the following areas: | | | | over the summer. |
| - Educational | | | | Also, if you make it stretch out the pressure is off to |
| - Learn Skills | | | | get it done quick. You can take your time and get it |
| - Responsibility | | | | done right. That is also a trait you want to teach as |
| - Time Lines | | | | well: a good work ethic and a quality product in the |
| - Ownership | | | | end. |
| The nice thing about a go kart is it has so many | | | | So the to sum it up: Take the go kart project seriously. |
| practical skills that it teaches. Every problem becomes | | | | Schedule it in to the family activities. Make a spot for it |
| a teaching exercise. For kids who receive everything, | | | | in the shop. Make it easy to work on, and easy to put |
| or the "video game generation" a go kart is an | | | | away. Spend a couple hours on it every weekend and |
| excellent way for kids to work from the ground up, | | | | before you know it you and you family will be having |
| and see what it really takes to make a go kart. | | | | fun driving it. |