Teaching the young...

[JFoy]

Got an apartment next to my house I rent to a 20yr old boy. He's a hard luck story - being abandoned by his parents. Works for a pipe laying company and the owner tells me he does his share of work which is good.

He's a little short of money this month so I let him do some yard work around the house towards his rent. Had some wood to saw today so I taught him how to handle and respect a chainsaw. Then taught him how and why to split some of the wood. From time to time, I try to involve him in projects I do and teach him. For bigger projects where I call in folks like carpenters, roofers, etc., I try to pair him up with them so he'll learn. Sad to see a promising young man having no outdoor skills.

Anyone else informally adopted a kid to teach him a thing or two?

 

[Wakey]

Anyone else informally adopted a kid to teach him a thing or two?

Yes, commonly they are referred to as employees! Haha

It is nice of you to mentor but be careful, many kids today have a PHD in manipulation after growing up in broken households.

 

[r porter]

yes
i had a neighbor boy with a similar story. mama died of a drug over dose and while she was alive she would steal his stuff to sell.

i gave him a job cleaning stalls and let him work off his first rifle. he should have been a statistic but he grew up to be a man you can count on. he has a great job but if he got fired tonight he would be working somewhere by daylight, even if he just cut fire wood to sell.

 

[/pine]

There is some hope...!

 

[2LaneCruzer]

yes
i had a neighbor boy with a similar story. mama died of a drug over dose and while she was alive she would steal his stuff to sell.

i gave him a job cleaning stalls and let him work off his first rifle. he should have been a statistic but he grew up to be a man you can count on. he has a great job but if he got fired tonight he would be working somewhere by daylight, even if he just cut fire wood to sell.

Bless you all. Sometimes all these folks need is someone to let them know they care, and who will provide guidelines, counsel and an opportunity to keep their minds and bodies busy. It's a shame they can't get this at home.

 

[4570Man]

Bless you all. Sometimes all these folks need is someone to let them know they care, and who will provide guidelines, counsel and an opportunity to keep their minds and bodies busy. It's a shame they can't get this at home.

Or school. They have pretty much taken anything productive out of schools.

 

[Wilburn Cox]

JFoy; Loved your post.
I am now 75 years old. Wife & I only had one child, a daughter. Many years ago I taught young boys in Sunday School. Had one boy, age 12, mom had been married 3 times. This boy needed guidance and my wife & I lived on one acre. I traveled the state of Texas in sales so I hired the kid to mow our lawn and etc. He thrived at this and always wanted to learn more. He would clean and organize my garage when I was away working. This kiddo worked for me until the day he graduated from high school. He went to work for the US Post office delivering mail as a substitute. He worked upward and has been with the Post office in Arlington Tx ever since. He also is a farrier (Shoes horses) when he gets off work. He now owns a place with 15 acres. Calls me "Dad". He calls us often. We are proud to call him our adopted son. He is definitely a success story to us.

 

[TripleR]

I did essentially the same thing with a young man a few years ago and was initially very pleased with him and his work. Sadly we found he stole from us including a handgun, prescription meds and cash. He has been to prison twice since then, but I don't regret giving him a chance. I'm glad to see so many willing to do the same.

 

[bcp]

Lots of good stories here, but you should realize that German children are always kinder.



Bruce

 

[2ndhalf]

Lots of good stories here, but you should realize that German children are always kinder.



Bruce

Huh... ?