Al A. wrote:
Bart D. Hull wrote:


Gentleman,

Just thought I'd run this past y'all. Recently got a girlfriend with 4
kids (1 Boy 4, 3 Girls 8 - 14) They
are painfully ignorant on how to be safe in a shop or garage
environment. (Had to spend Thanksgiving in the ER due to one of the
girls tipping a motorcycle over on herself and piercing her thigh with
the foot peg. Three layers of stitches later she's somewhat OK.)

SNIP


I have a great deal of patience, but it bothers me that they
will get hurt. Only other thing is to lock them out of the garage, but
you just know they'll find their way in when I'm not there and truly
get hurt.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Bart



Every kid is different. We have six, form 4 to 21. Some love to hang
around in my shop, some are less interested. Some can be told not to
touch something and won't, some need a bit (OK alot..) more direction
and cannot be counted upon to be 100% in line, 100% of the time. I don't
let little ones run power stuff, of course, but they all had some level
of interest at various times. When I am working on something of theirs,
they will be fascinated. When I am doing my own projects, they are less
so. Lay out the shop rules, and stick to them. Make sure that YOU follow
them too!
(Yeah, my kids have caught me on that one...)

If I am trying to "accomplish" something, I tell the kids to go do
something else. that is one of the rules. When I am messing around and
one of them wants to come out and hang around, I try my best to do stuff
with them out there. It is some of the most enjoyable time I spend with
my kids, and stuff they no doubt will remember and value.

My kids are growing up around this stuff, apparently your girlfriends
kids have not. I've never been in that situation, so i can't speak with
any authority on that part. Mostly, I would guess kids are kids, all
different, but all of them need attention, direction and assistance from
the adults in their lives. Being in a position to provide that is both a
huge responsability a huge privelage. Do it well, and it will repay you
well. Not trying to sound preachey.

Have I done this all well? i don't fully know. So far, our adult and
older teens are decent, respectful hardworking kids. But in the big
picture, the jury is still out.I'll let you know how I did when our 4
year old is an adult.

Who knows, you may be one of the influences that helps to keep those
four kids from becomming what another poster referred to as "feral"
children. (thanks, Andrew,that is a great description! gonna use that
one myself!)

Besst of luck to you!

Al A.

Kinda says something about the relative age of posters in this group
when this poster is 26 and the top of the listing of "Kids" in the shop
is 21