Men with kids....wrench time?

[lgottler]

OK, if you have kids, how in the heck to you have time to work on your Jeep???

I just put my little girl to bed tonight (8pm) and the wife is gone, so I can't leave the house....so I sit online and work on the Boondocker and stuff. But I do this about 2-3 nights a week.

Typically, I get home at 5-6pm, watch my daughter until dinner or I make dinner then feed my little baby girl, and clean her up and clean up dishes while my wife takes care of other house things. Then its about 7pm now and I do my man of the house duties like trash, fixing door knobs, and cat litter. I then play with my daughter until she gets cranky for sleep, I get her ready for bed and then I'm free at 8pm!

Usually, after 8pm, I don't get to work on the Jeep cuz my wife likes to talk about our day (zzzzzzzz) so I might surf the net while she tells me all the new things Maria can do. Then around 8:30-9 I get to do whatever I want until I go to bed at 10. And by then I'm tired and in no mood to get grease all over myself.

When is there time for our hobby??? Should I put a play pen out in the garage? Put away all my sharp things and toxic cleaners and let her play under my Jeep in the rust and dirt? Wake up at 4am and wrench until I have to go to work and get to bed when my daughter does?

Or, is it as I fear......wait until I'm 50 and the kids are gone?

:ahhh:

[Creative Fab]

My neighbor Adam uses the baby monitor when he goes out to the garage and mom is away. But only when he puts the little one to bed.

[WhiteRhino]

I don't think it ever changes. I thought once our kids moved out that we would have more time. I'm sure that I do but it doesn't seem like it. This year included new windows, new siding, a new entry door, a new paved driveway, a new sprinkler system and a new seawall. Sure, I paid for alot of it to be done but playing general contractor was a pain. Not to mention that I didn't think I needed a DEQ permit until I got the "cease and desist" phone call.

I just got thru sending an email to my plumber because he is dragging his feet. Now I have bare studs in my entryway and 2 bathrooms to remodel this year. And, I will do 90% of the work.

The other thing that happened to me was as my career advanced, so did my out of town travels.

So, even if the kids are gone, you gotta make your own time whenever you can.

[kb8ymf]

Do what I did and you'll get what I got!:hysterical:
Drag the kids out to the barn, give them stuff to play with that won't hurt them and let them go. I sure would have enjoyed posting pictures of you know who playing with tools and parts. Sure they'll get dirty, but it does wash off. You did want a tomboy, right!:laughing2:
I'm already starting on the grand kids. Gonna need helpers in a few years.
jim-kb8ymf

[WhiteRhino]

Or do what I just did. Had my son in law come over to pick up an axle to clean.:hysterical:

[Roadhouse]

OK, if you have kids, how in the heck to you have time to work on your Jeep???

I pay Ironman to work on it:bootyshake:

[DDS4X4]

Do it Lucas!

My oldest two (Michelle, from the Water Falls Tour, was the oldest girl) can relate stories of being under my IH Scout, laying beside Dad and handing him tools, while he dropped Trannies or T- cases or worked on the exhaust. I believe it was Michelle who was the only kid who wanted to go trail riding with Dad one summer at Land Between the Lakes in KY. The rest wanted to stay at the campground. So I let her sit on my lap and drive in an open scramble area with no traffic around. I think she was about 6 at the time.

The youngest, used to fall asleep under the Suburban, still a 4x4, while we swapped and rebuilt engines or did routine maintenance.

My youngest girl never seemed too interested in tools, just animals. Now she is a DVM Vet at Raisen River Vet Clinic in Monroe, MI. Guess she would rather "fix" pets! At least she drives a Jeep.

As far as waiting until your 50 ... I paid college tuition for 15 years, as soon as it was over ... I started paying "Dad have a LIFE tuition"!

It is all about priorities as both Jim K and Jim M have mentioned. As it should be, FAMILY comes first, but be creative, as you have been with the Water Falls Tour and worked it together when you can.

Thanks for all you do for Great Lakes and our sport and THANKS to your FAMILY for letting YOU and THEM be a part of our sport!


PS - I don't even want to get started on house projects THEN or NOW!

[Jarhead]

.....wait until I'm 50 and the kids are gone?

:ahhh:
This doesn'ty always work.....

If you get your kids involved at an early age, it is easier as time goes by to get more wheelin' in because you can always take them along...

[phittie1100]

My 8yr old is learning fractions so he can hand me the right tools when I am under the Jeep. But his first comment is always "But Dad the metric ones are easier!" I just drag him to the garage with me - sometimes he sits at the desk and does his homework, sometimes he works on his own projects, sometimes he helps.

Maria has a few years before she can really participate, but there is hope!

[JerryD]

Right now, because she's so little, it may be a bit more difficult to put her out in the garage. I've used baby monitors, too, but that depends on your daughters age (and probably Mom's comfort level!). You might want to set up a "clean" area where your wife can sit and chat/pay bills/surf the net (you do have a high speed connection in there, right? :D ). This would allow her to visit with you and you could still use the monitor for Maria. As the kids get older, it gets a bit easier but sometimes you have to get creative to keep boredom away. You'll find the right balance after a while. ;)

[calvynandhobbs]

I didn't really start wrenching and getting into 4x4s until about 5 years ago so when the kids were small I didn't have to worry about it. Now they are 15 and 13 so they go do what they want and I get time in the garage unless my wife is home. She always wants to spend "quality" time with me for some reason. She considers quality time watching a movie together or something like that. I consider that a waste of time since there is always too much to do around the house and in the garage.

[grandman]

A picture is worth a thousand words . My kids grew up , no one told me id be raising a 2 year old grand daughter . I did learn with the first batch of 3 kids . Dont let them hold you up , make them build the rig :laughing2:

Building a Dana 44 is so easy a 2 year old can do it , no i mean really a 2 year old :hysterical:


http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/7951/goobyfixdiffyw6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[jsawduste]

A picture is worth a thousand words . My kids grew up , no one told me id be raising a 2 year old grand daughter . I did learn with the first batch of 3 kids . Dont let them hold you up , make them build the rig :laughing2:

Building a Dana 44 is so easy a 2 year old can do it , no i mean really a 2 year old :hysterical:


http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/7951/goobyfixdiffyw6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Hey Marv, How is her aim with that hammer ? Or are you gonna let her put the first dent in the Jimmy ? :poke:

Maybe a pinstripe with the screwdriver ?:hysterical:

[grandman]

Well her aim aint to bad . She is great at beating the paint of my bumpers . 2 year old sand blasting ,,,,,, sort of .

I have taught granny to stop buying pink though :rolleyes:

[T-way]

Or, is it as I fear......wait until I'm 50 and the kids are gone?

:ahhh:



Don't you mean "and the KDSRGON"?????

:poke:

[jsawduste]

Well her aim aint to bad . She is great at beating the paint of my bumpers . 2 year old sand blasting ,,,,,, sort of .

I have taught granny to stop buying pink though :rolleyes:


Hard to believe you two are grandparents. They sure are lucky :cool:

Going in on Tuesday for more shock therapy :ahhh:

[sodapop]

My daughters 9 and my sons 5. She has no interest in grease, so I give her chalk and have draw on the driveway. Andrew is a whole nuther story. He has his own wrenching clothes. Typically, I give him a wrench and the creeper and tell him to check for "loose" bolts or "broken" parts. That occupies him for at least 30 minutes usually more like 45. Last time he actually found (before me) that my exhaust hangers were broken from the crossmember back.

Little hands can sometimes be helpful too. Last time I had to put my bumper on, Andrew put the nuts on the hard to reach bolts.

When I'm under the gun wrenching, I just let my wife know that I gotta be in the garage and she's usually pretty good about it as long as it's not every night.

[keithshotrodshop]

Well, I've got a 3 year old boy and a 1 year old girl. As you know Lucas, I'm pretty much in the same boat, but a couple things helped with me.

1. Realize that they will learn from their mistakes...hopefully. If something is sharp, hot, or unpleasant to them, they won't touch it many times. So yes, bring them in the shop. Preston loves to "help" dad.

2. In my situation, we decided for my wife Katie to quit work until the kids go back to school. Although this has dumped most of the home responsibilities on her, she also has more time for her own stuff. I have to remind her sometimes that I also work alot, and need that kind of time too. So although I usually will watch the kids when she asks, I will sometimes pre-plan a time for myself, and let her know about it. If she tries to change my plans, I just say no.

3. We also came up with a family plan. Not knowing how many kids you are going to have makes the future very uncertain. We decided on two, and once our daughter was born, we got my wife spayed. This puts a great ease on us, because we know that we have closed a chapter in our lives, and we know that we will be in our 40's when the last kid graduates high school.

4. And since you and I live so close, we can make the wives mingle and watch the kids while we wrench on each-others jeeps!

[lgottler]

I'll have to break out the baby monitor. I never liked the idea of using one, but I suppose she will be OK without me in the house....its hard with my first kid to leave her "alone"....

And I should schedule "me" time. My wife gets Monday night for 2 hours, Wednesday night for 3 hours, 2 Fridays a month for 3 hours, Sunday morning 4 hours, Sunday afternoon 2 hours. And she says that my "me" time is when I'm at work. :eek: I think it would be nice to have one day a week when I can wrench for a couple hours after work. I don't mind if she brings in Maria either, I setup a pull out hobby table for my wife to use in the garage, it slides into the wall when not in use. As long as I'm not welding or grinding, I wouldn't mind if they came in to talk or watch or whatever.

I guess I'm too soft. My wife is a stay-at-home mom and I like to give her a break from watching Maria, so she stays sane. Plus I love to see my little girl!

Right now, I just got home from work, its Saturday, and I am watching my daughter while my wife is gone to a baby shower, but the baby monitor is in her bedroom. I'll have to wait until she wakes up from nap and dig it out.

[MichEE]

Well, I add to the pictures and say I wish my dad involved me more when he was in the garage. So I plan to have my 3 year old son "help" me with all I can - partially because I use a wheelchair!! He already knows the difference between 9/16" and 1/2" sockets (the mm ones are easier!).

I must add though it is important to take time for yourself, the times you have with your kids will go way to fast so I try to spend it wisely!

[lgottler]

I've got the monitor working now. I am still not used to leaving her in there, so I keep it "cranked" and I get to listen to the static and cars driving by!

Its nice to get an hour every so often now. I'm finding things are getting done slowly, but they are happening. Found most of the tools I couldn't locate, right where I left 'em two years ago. I've got my hot water tank and manifold mounted and ready. Picked up a thermostatic mixing valve on ebay and all I need now is an expansion tank. Then I can plumb the final bits of my heated floor up, move the TV to the garage, and sit on my office chair in my underwear watching wheeling videos while it snows!!

[jsawduste]

I've got the monitor working now. I am still not used to leaving her in there, so I keep it "cranked" and I get to listen to the static and cars driving by!

Its nice to get an hour every so often now. I'm finding things are getting done slowly, but they are happening. Found most of the tools I couldn't locate, right where I left 'em two years ago. I've got my hot water tank and manifold mounted and ready. Picked up a thermostatic mixing valve on ebay and all I need now is an expansion tank. Then I can plumb the final bits of my heated floor up, move the TV to the garage, and sit on my office chair in my underwear watching wheeling videos while it snows!!

Such the life !! But you never did respond to my bed in the garage question......:poke:

[lgottler]

Well, the bed is gone! Don't worry, it wasn't for me, it came with the house and we moved it around inside so much, the wife got ticked and put it in the garage when I was at work.

[DDS4X4]

Was she trying to tell you something, Lucas???

[longarm]

I love my 9 and 10 year olds. They are the first ones under the Jeep after wheeling to use their little hands to get the clumps of mud outta the tight places I can't get to. :thumb:

[Quietlake]

Regarding post #1. I have a hard time too know getting time to work in the garage. Wife is an EMT on weird shifts. 5yo is in all day Young 5's. I have to get him fed and sleepin', etc. I'm working on a motorcycle as my commute vehicle for next year. Pole barn is 30 yards from the house. In the summer Zachary helps or plays outside. He knows I'm there in the day so if he's playing indoors, he'll just hang out the door and yell if he needs something. He doesn't get into stuff. It sux. I do what I can when I can. Thankfully the Jeep is where I want it and usually it's just repairing, not building anymore.