Quality Time with Your Kids—Fixing Up Cars and Boats Together
That which is easily obtained is easily neglected—whether you’re talking about free stuff at conventions, party favors, or junk mail. But when you work hard to get something, especially when it’s something you can use with your family and friends, there’s a good chance that you’ll value the acquisition for years to come. This is particularly true of doing fix-it-up projects with your kids, and in this case, we’re talking about fixing up cars and boats together. Doing these projects is about taking a boat or vehicle that’s seen better days, and restoring it back to its former beauty. But then again, it’s not only about the finished product—it’s also about spending quality time with your kids. And keeping a few things in mind as you embark on the project will make the finished product something that everyone can be proud of.
One of the first things to consider is whether you plan to gift the finished car or boat to your child. If so, he or she should definitely have a say in the type of make and model. Taking your child with you to junkyards, car lots, and warehouses may not sound like the most entertaining activity in the world, but as kids participate in the selection process, they’ll get more excited about helping throughout the life of the project. Many used cars and boats are overpriced, but if you keep an eye out and aren’t in a terrible hurry, you can usually find a great deal. In many cases, owners of equipment are just trying to get rid of it, so use that to your advantage. Look for any damage or corrosion—things like cracks in paint, fractures in metal, separating hulls, or anything else that will need repair. You’ll need to take all these things into consideration as you make a purchase, especially if you’re trying to get the project done on a budget. Point out any flaws you see and you can usually get a price reduction.
Once you’ve gotten the car or boat home, you’ll need to take an even closer look. Check the fuel lines, motor, inboard boat propellers, and any other moving parts that you know you can’t do without. Do some deep cleaning—this will probably be a multi-step process, especially if the project has been sitting out in the elements for a while. You may notice additional points that need repair, so jot them down. In fact, you’ll want to keep a running inventory of all the things you’ll need to replace, just so you don’t have to make extra trips to the hardware store. You can get necessary bits like boat motor parts directly from a dealer or a garage, but if you’re vigilant you can get the parts you need by doing some “dumpster diving” at the junkyard. Again, this part of the process can be pretty fun when you include your kids.
When you have all the replacement parts, hardware, tools, and paint, it’s really time to get to work. You should choose a work location where you’ll be very comfortable, because this stage of the process will likely take several weeks (if not months). But this is also the part of the process where you can have some of the best conversations with your kids—working side-by-side as a family, shooting for the same goal, you and your kids will probably find yourselves talking up a storm.
And when the project is finally finished, it’ll be something that everyone will value even more—because getting it was no easy task.
Read MoreChildren’s Bedtime Rituals
More than thirty percent of all kids have a difficult time going to bed or keeping a standard bed time. Kids will be inventive to stay up late. Much of this has to do with fear of separation from their parents. Regular bedtime rituals can help alleviate some of their insecurity.
Bedtime is important and parents should spend twenty minutes or half an hour each night connecting with their children at bedtime. This is a perfect time for the kids to share their day and unwind. Small children look forward to this uninterrupted time with Mom and Dad.
Keeping a standard schedule will help with getting kids to go to bed without a fight. When at all possible put the kids to bed at the same time every day. Consistency builds security in children. They like to count on things being the same.
Bath time before bed is an excellent way to get the kids to settle down and get ready for sleep. This can be included in the time set aside for bedtime rituals. A nice warm bath will help children relax and unwind before bed.
After bath time, if the child is young, read a story or a chapter of a longer story. If age appropriate, have the child read to you, or take turns reading pages. Stories can be soothing and relaxing. Stories also excite the imagination and give happy thoughts to fall asleep to. Leave time to discuss the story and get your child’s input. Not only with this show you value them, it will keep them excited about reading.
Take time to rub their back and let them talk as the fall asleep. This lets them get anything out that might be bothering them or making them fearful. A teddy bed or doll may help as the child transitions to sleep. Some kids are afraid of sleeping alone, having a bedtime buddy can help ease their fears.
End the evening with a prayer. Give your child an opportunity to talk with God and build relationship with you. At the end of the prayer, tell your child you love them, hug and kiss them goodnight and leave them to fall asleep. Have a phrase like, “Sweet dreams, I love you”, be the last words you say each and every night.
Building a consistent routine will help keep peace in your house and help your child respect boundaries in other areas of their lives as well. If they have a schedule that is enforced, it will make bedtime less hectic and stressful. Remember, it is your responsibility to set the tone for bedtime and alleviate any fears your child may have going to bed.
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