My Two Boys

[ffamom]

My boys,16 & 18, decided to spend their cattle profits for this year on a new welder. I came home from the store one day and low and behold there was no room in the garage for my car....just a big blue Miller 250 Bobcat. I could have hung both of them by their toe nails in the wind. They claimed it was their 1st big tool purchase and it would be okay even though they had had only one welding class at school.

I had my doubts. Over the past few months they have been welding together scrap metal and practicing beads as well as welding stuff together for their grandparents. I even found a business plan they had written while cleaning off old documents on the computer. I was quite impressed. It seem they will be living at home a while longer....all part of the plan to minimize expenses.

Today a man knocked on the door and wanted to see my guys. I began wondering what they had done now. When I awoke my younger son (to face his accuser), he pulled out an adjuster rod that had been broken and ask him he could do an emergency repair. It appears the local tractor shop, my son welded a receiver hitch to a quick release bucket for grandpa, was so impressed with his work that they are now recommending them.

It sad that I didn't have faith in my boys. Sometime I tend to see their flaws more than I see their qualities. Where we live, if you are not in the top 20 at your high school, then you probably will not worth anything as an adult. I was beginning to believe that too.

I don't think they will recoup the cost of the welder for a while; but while the other kids are spending money, they are trying to make a little. I guess my kids aren't so bad after all.

 

[flaboy]

Wow, they must have done their research also as that is one nice welder. Arc, MIG, TIG, portable. It has it all. Being self powered it should really help them on remote fixes. Now all they have to do is purchase a truck to haul it in. :cboy:

 

[ETF]

Sounds like you got a couple of keepers there. Academics isn't for everyone and there are plenty of other ways to make a living. Or as my plumber said, "I used to be a doctor but I needed to make some money". :D

 

[bigbull338]

now mom you know you cant be madd at your boys for buying a welder.they are grown up when they can decide what they want.an go out an buy it togather.an the business plan is great.shows you what their plans are.an that they want todo good work for the public.

 

[TexasBred]

And dad is going to do his part by giving free room and board them til they can "turn a profit". :lol2: :lol2: They'll do well I'm sure.

 

[Maineshowgirl]

wait a moment are yall from Texas more like Tarkington lol thought we had the only school that if you where not in the top20% you where not going to do nothing with your life. Its a REALLY SMALL Town like not really a town. We have the school and if you do not know you will drive right past. Three gas stations, and two vets lol and a used car lot and of course the sub-way :lol: The only way you would know if you are there is the lil road sign off to the side of the road if you are going to Dayton or its just a four way stop if you are going to Moss Hill.lol Nice to know we are not the only ones.

 

[3waycross]

[

It sad that I didn't have faith in my boys. Sometime I tend to see their flaws more than I see their qualities. Where we live, if you are not in the top 20 at your high school, then you probably will not worth anything as an adult. I was beginning to believe that too.

I don't think they will recoup the cost of the welder for a while; but while the other kids are spending money, they are trying to make a little. I guess my kids aren't so bad after all.[/quote]

FFAMOM
It's really easy to buy in to society's version of what success should look like, think about this when you look at your kids the next time. One of my younger brothers has a PHD, is 40 and has worked a total of 5 yrs of his adult life, bad elitist attitude, and terrible work ethic, he is basically worthless, but was Valedictorian of class and Deans list for all of college, can't hold a job. My other younger brother got a standing ovation from all the teachers because he actually graduated from HS, C average. He is now 47 yrs old has not been out of a job since 9th grade makes 94,000 a year and owns a 500,000 dollar home in California. Why , because he has a work ethic and guts to get out and make things happen. So have faith in those boys, sounds like you did a great job of pointing them the right direction. Even if they don't make a ton on their business they won't be afraid to try again.

 

[flaboy]

FFAMOM, I know where you are coming from. I see it a lot. Seems folks think once they get their degree they should just get paid for having it.

I hire a lot of contract workers in the electronics field and I see it all the time. They come in from a contract labor provider and start telling me about all the degrees they have and why they should be making more money rather than showing me what they CAN do. I bite my tongue but my mind is saying "well if you are so smart and so good, why are you working at a temp agency?" :dunce:

Then of course they see pictures on my wall of cows and my "I farm you eat" bumper sticker and think I just fell of the turnip truck.

 

[Caustic Burno]

FFAMOM, I know where you are coming from. I see it a lot. Seems folks think once they get their degree they should just get paid for having it.

I hire a lot of contract workers in the electronics field and I see it all the time. They come in from a contract labor provider and start telling me about all the degrees they have and why they should be making more money rather than showing me what they CAN do. I bite my tongue but my mind is saying "well if you are so smart and so good, why are you working at a temp agency?" :dunce:

Then of course they see pictures on my wall of cows and my "I farm you eat" bumper sticker and think I just fell of the turnip truck.

There is something about the southern drawl or bib overalls that make them deduct 20 IQ points.

 

[backhoeboogie]

FFA Mom, If those were my boys, I'd be darn proud of them. They'll be building everything in no time.

The next time a tornado or bad storm hits taking out your electric power for several days, you'll have your freezer and ice box hooked up to that a/c outlet on that Bobcat. Or if wild fire hits, hook it up to the well and you can have water to fight with.

 

[novatech]

My boys,16 & 18, decided to spend their cattle profits for this year on a new welder. I came home from the store one day and low and behold there was no room in the garage for my car....just a big blue Miller 250 Bobcat. I could have hung both of them by their toe nails in the wind. They claimed it was their 1st big tool purchase and it would be okay even though they had had only one welding class at school.

I had my doubts. Over the past few months they have been welding together scrap metal and practicing beads as well as welding stuff together for their grandparents. I even found a business plan they had written while cleaning off old documents on the computer. I was quite impressed. It seem they will be living at home a while longer....all part of the plan to minimize expenses.

Today a man knocked on the door and wanted to see my guys. I began wondering what they had done now. When I awoke my younger son (to face his accuser), he pulled out an adjuster rod that had been broken and ask him he could do an emergency repair. It appears the local tractor shop, my son welded a receiver hitch to a quick release bucket for grandpa, was so impressed with his work that they are now recommending them.

It sad that I didn't have faith in my boys. Sometime I tend to see their flaws more than I see their qualities. Where we live, if you are not in the top 20 at your high school, then you probably will not worth anything as an adult. I was beginning to believe that too.

I don't think they will recoup the cost of the welder for a while; but while the other kids are spending money, they are trying to make a little. I guess my kids aren't so bad after all.

Sometimes I think that all the educational system is good for is to make more teachers or professors. Teachers tend to want to develop students in their own image. I am not knocking a good education just those that put down kids that don't work within the system.
Having said that your kids need to learn about many other aspects of business. I would start with a good liability insurance policy.
Just say a weld broke on a trailer they worked on. It caused a wreck with injuries. Your kids a liable. Since one is a minor that liability passes on to you. Now think about loosing every thing you own in a law suit.
Then go to accounting. You want a visit with the IRS. Etc.
Point is you need to start the real education. Knowing how to weld may be the first step but there is a lot more to it than that.

 

[flaboy]

There is something about the southern drawl or bib overalls that make them deduct 20 IQ points.

Oh how true. I could make a list a mile long on how many folks have tried to pull the wool over my eyes.

 

[Lammie]

I would be tickled pink with those boys or your's. The took some initiative, they bought good equipment instead of an old truck or video games, they had a plan. I would like to show some of the boys around here that kind of ability.

I just foundo out that my older son is taking an extra two semesters to finish his schooling. I told him that might be a problem, since his college fund will be exhausted before then. I guess he will need to get a paying job. I am sure he's up to the challenge. Where there is a will there is a way.

 

[fit2btied]

Sometimes I think that all the educational system is good for is to make more teachers or professors. Teachers tend to want to develop students in their own image. I am not knocking a good education just those that put down kids that don't work within the system.

In MO, whether or not a teacher is effective is based on how their students score on the MAP Test (MO Assessment version for No Child Left Behind). It assumes most kids are college bound. Only about 10% of the kids in my district will complete a 2-yr degree or vocational program and less than 5% will earn a 4-yr degree. Sometimes, most of the time, I think that all the educational system is good for is to give politicians that don't know much about anything, something to totally screw up, thereby needing more politicians to fix the problems they themselves created.

 

[GMN]

Sometimes I think that all the educational system is good for is to make more teachers or professors. Teachers tend to want to develop students in their own image. I am not knocking a good education just those that put down kids that don't work within the system.

In MO, whether or not a teacher is effective is based on how their students score on the MAP Test (MO Assessment version for No Child Left Behind). It assumes most kids are college bound. Only about 10% of the kids in my district will complete a 2-yr degree or vocational program and less than 5% will earn a 4-yr degree. Sometimes, most of the time, I think that all the educational system is good for is to give politicians that don't know much about anything, something to totally screw up, thereby needing more politicians to fix the problems they themselves created.

The map test is 13 days of tests, which is more for the school than the kids. Proves nothing in my book, for many reasons, some kids are just not good at taking tests, why put all this pressure on the kids, surely there should be a better way for the teachers to get graded?

GMN

 

[novatech]

The 2 boys are very typical of many kids today. I have no clue how they did in school and it really seems like it will make no difference. They are well on their way to a future they seem to be making for themselves. What really gets me is all the judgement that is placed on the kids today from their teachers and others. That unfortunately includes their own parents. I was told that I would never be anything but a welder's helper if I did not make good grades. Well I never made good grades. I do not remember a summer without summer school. I was in the lowest 10% of my graduating class. I was also in the highest 10% of the nation on my SAT's, which got me into college where my grades were not any better. To make a long story short I sure as heck did not end up being a welders helper. Kids do not have to make good grades to be successful. They do not have to be any kind of professional. They just have to do the best they can. In my eyes that is success.

 

[fit2btied]

The map test is 13 days of tests, which is more for the school than the kids. Proves nothing in my book, for many reasons, some kids are just not good at taking tests, why put all this pressure on the kids, surely there should be a better way for the teachers to get graded?
GMN

I, and most teachers totally agree with you! We are evaluated both formally and informally by administration but MAP results can put teachers in a boatload of trouble regardless of how glowing their evaluations might be. MAP is the name of the game and will be until it is replaced by the next new legislative nightmare! One country boy superintendent compares the testing to raising feeder pigs. Says "You can weigh 'em all you want, but it ain't gonna make 'em gain weight!"

 

[Miss Daisy]

Dang i wish i had a couple brothers like your boys! You oughta be one proud mama! :clap:

 

[fit2btied]

Kids do not have to make good grades to be successful. They do not have to be any kind of professional. They just have to do the best they can. In my eyes that is success.

Agree! While all three of my sons made good grades it did not make them successful. My twins were in the Navy nuke program. Navy says only about half ever finish the schooling. One finished 1st in his class, the other was 2nd in his. Both were nuclear power electricians - one on the USS Seawolf when it was commissioned, the other on the USS Kearsarge. Both hated almost every minute they spent in the Navy, couldn't wait for their 6 years to be up! Today, one of them is a corrections officer and the other works at a local lumber yard. Now they are happy. To me, that makes them successful. And that makes me happy!

 

[CattleHand]

My friends and I always say it doesnt take brains to do well and just cause you have brains doesnt mean you will do well. Everything in life is about work ethic. AT&T just made a new provision that you need a masters to be an Executive Director or higher. That was because for years their VP's and Executive Directors had no such official education.