subject: Three Projects for Bonding With Your Son [print this page] Three Projects for Bonding With Your Son Three Projects for Bonding With Your Son
Early adolescence can be a difficult time between fathers and sons. Boys at this stage of their development have a lot of changes happening within their bodies and in their life. This phase of a boy's life can be characterized by any number of things, including insecurity, curiosity, and even rebellion. That is not to say that all emotions and experiences during this time are negative. Early adolescence can also be a time characterized by personal victories, identity formation, and responsibility. Early adolescence is such a pivotal time in a child's life, as it will have many ramifications into the person they will become. Thus, it is of immense importance that fathers play significant roles in their sons' lives during this challenging stage of development.
How does a father achieve this? Especially when boys at this stage of life can be resistant to what their fathers have to say?
It is for this reason that it is imperative that a father continue to pursue his son. Doing projects together can be an excellent way to bond, and that bonding often opens doors into sharing. Men often relate best in a side-to-side setting when they are busy doing an activity together. Here are three projects you can do with your son that will allow you to bond, as well as give you the opportunity to teach them valuable life skills.
Constructing A Playhouse, Garage, or Storage Shed
If you have younger kids as well, an outdoor play house would be a nice project for you and your son to work on (you could involve the whole family at some point, but you may want to reserve certain aspects of the project for just you and the son you are trying to connect with). If you don't need a playhouse, constructing a different type of small structure such as a small garage or storage shed would be a worthwhile project. Building a small outdoor structure provides the opportunity to teach your son how to use tools and to work with his hands. You may choose to use more simple tools such as hand saws and hammers, or you may choose to use more complex power tools such as power saw and air compressor. Be sure to teach your son about proper usage and maintenance of the tools that you use. For instance, you could explain to him what an air oil separator is, and about the importance of maintaining your air compressor with Ingersoll Rand compressor parts.
Hanging Drywall
Hanging drywall is a very useful skill to have. A person who can hang their own drywall can save a considerable amount of money when they have remodeling projects at home. Hanging drywall is an excellent project to undertake with your son. Not only will you be teaching him a valuable skill that he will use later in life, but you will have the opportunity to bond as you tackle this project together. If you are concerned with how the finished project may turn out (or even if you yourself have never hung drywall), consider learning to drywall in a basement or attic where there is little pressure to perform.
Changing A Tire
This project is much less involved than the previous two, but it's merit is perhaps even greater. Everyone has a flat tire at some point. Yet, so few individuals know how to change a tire. Equipping your son to change a tire is easy, and will be an opportunity for you to spend some quality time together. You can start him off easy, using a car jack and an air ratchet wrench with an air compressor. This will give you an opportunity to talk with him about air compressor safety, explain to him what an air oil separator is, as well as other pertinent Ingersoll Rand compressor parts. Then move on to teach him how to change a tire with only the emergency tools provided in the tire kit in the car. You will be teaching him important life skills, all while bonding with your son.
