| If you are a grandparent or parent of a midsize | | | | should be matched to the size of the nail anyway, so |
| member of the next generation, you probably are | | | | be sure to provide boxes of smaller sized nails. And |
| being offered "help" each time you pick up a tool to | | | | how about those cute little locking pliers that are only |
| begin some home repair project. We believe it requires | | | | inches long? You could add whatever tools seem to |
| a great quantity as well as a loving quality of patience | | | | be needed and used. Just keep on with that patience |
| to deal with the little helper. But if you say, "Well, thanks, | | | | you developed when they were five or six. They will |
| I could use a little help," you might find that you as well | | | | make mistakes, but you did, too, and still do, once in a |
| as the child will benefit.If the kid is really too young to | | | | while.But don't make the mistake of buying too many |
| sustain any real interest, just give him/her a piece of | | | | tools all at once. It tends to overwhelm them and they |
| plywood to pound on with your smallest hammer. If the | | | | really should learn the use of them one at a time. |
| little carpenter is able to swing the hammer and can | | | | There is another great big mistake to avoid. I don't say |
| understand that nothing is really being accomplished, | | | | this just because our website, toolhill.com, sells tools. |
| then screw a chunk of a 2 x 4 to the plywood and | | | | Please don't buy cheap tools because they are "just |
| start a few roofing nails in it. Roofing nails are the ones | | | | to learn on." The learning will be more skillful when it |
| with an extra large head that is hard to miss.Now, we | | | | comes through practice with well-balanced tools of |
| hope, s/he is happily pounding the nails into the 2 x 4. | | | | good quality and design. BUY THE BEST YOU CAN |
| But you aren't off the hook; not by a long shot. You | | | | AFFORD AND INSIST THEY TAKE PROPER CARE |
| had better oversee it and demonstrate the speed and | | | | OF THEIR TOOLS.If you can tolerate such good help |
| accuracy of the hammer swings. A six-year-old has | | | | for a few years, your payoff will be a youngster who |
| more enthusiasm than ability, and if he tires or tries too | | | | is becoming confident in his/her skills and more |
| hard, he is likely to smash a finger or worse. Explain | | | | proficient than you realize. One spring day she will |
| the virtue of careful practice that allows his/her | | | | surprise you by saying, "Dad, if you remember to pick |
| carpentry skills to develop gradually. Then remember | | | | up some new spline for the screendoor, we can get |
| not to leave him alone with any tools.This quality time | | | | that fixed tomorrow morning." (Enjoy it while she is 12, |
| with your little ones needn't take a long time. They just | | | | because when she is 15, she will elect to sleep all |
| want to be with you and be helpful. After the practice | | | | Saturday morning.)But remember, when she is in her |
| session, they may be content to hand you nails one at | | | | own apartment after college, she will deal quite |
| a time, or count your screwdrivers, or go tell Mommy | | | | capably with many of those little problems that the |
| what you are going to fix.The biggest concern with | | | | other girls call Dad about. You will be so proud.But, you |
| children of any age and their proximity to tools is the | | | | are proud of all your kids and their various abilities and |
| potential for misuse. Not only can they hurt themselves | | | | interests. If they don't cherish their tools as you do and |
| (or you, if they hand you a hammer when your back is | | | | if they show little talent or interest in your home repairs, |
| turned,) but they can really do a number on the new | | | | don't beat yourself up over it. Pay close attention to |
| pane of glass you just picked up at your local | | | | their ideas, then promote one of their interests and |
| hardware store. Can you imagine the creative | | | | share in those experiences, and love them for who |
| scratches your biggest Phillips screwdriver could put | | | | they are.Dr. Foltz is a retired teacher now enjoying the |
| on the solid oak front door of which you are so | | | | fascinating world of tools. Her husband Dick thrives on |
| proud? The rule developing here is that the little helpers | | | | being so immersed in one of his favorite subjects. |
| MAY NOT TOUCH ANY TOOL until you tell them | | | | There are literally thousands of types and brands of |
| they may. If you give them full attention and play fair | | | | tools, so she will be happily learning about tools for the |
| about letting them really help a little, they will soon | | | | rest of her life. Her mission in establishing |
| accept the rules.Let's imagine the little darlings at nine | | | | the website is to foster an increase in both knowhow |
| or ten yars old. It may be time to present them on the | | | | and confidence in the use of tools among their women |
| next few Christmases and birthdays with a new tool | | | | visitors and customers. In her spare time, she writes |
| box and a smaller-than-standard version of several | | | | self-help books for folks wanting to write their personal |
| common tools. You have seen those lighter weight | | | | and their family stories.Richard and Sharon Foltz are |
| hammers. They don't drive a nail in as quickly as your | | | | writers and administrators for ToolHill.com, which |
| big heavyduty hammer, but they are more easily used | | | | specializes in the latest information about power tools |
| by smaller hands and biceps. The hammer really | | | | and other types of tools. |