Home
>
Parenting
>
Teaching Your Child To Lift a Car

Teaching Your Child To Lift a Car

Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one of the really cool things about having your own business!). The only bad thing about yesterday is that two of the kids are still sick-they have that cold with the horrible cough and congestion.

So, needless to say, I've been going a little stir crazy and was so happy for the extra help.

The kids were excited too. They love spending time with their Dad.

In fact, on days he does work, there's a terrible commotion when he comes home. As soon as the van pulls in the driveway, the kids run to the window and start yelling, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy" in that familiar, excited child chant. Next, as Wade comes up the sidewalk, they all scramble to get to the front door-usually getting in trouble for pushing to see who gets to stand right at the opening. Finally, the front door opens, and everyone cries, "Daddy, you're home!" They jump up and down while they wait for their turn to be picked up and hug.

There's nothing my kids like more than spending time with their Dad, and I hope the same is true for you too!

So, on Wade's day home yesterday, he decided that he needed to get the garage organized. Of course, everyone wanted to go out and help; and I was just to eager to get some breathing space. Since the garage is heated, they could have a little fun without it slowing down their immune system.

They were probably out there for three hours, but it seemed like only three minutes before they were back inside and desperate for something to eat.

As I fixed them something, I listened to stories from the garage. One that nine-year-old Nathan told me really caught my attention.

Wade prefaced the story with the fact that he's teaching Nathan to be a problem solver. While they had been working, he told Nathan about a problem and how it was solved.

Afterward, Wade had asked Nathan, "Do you see how you can solve any problem when you want to?"

"Yeah," Nathan had answered, "well, yeah, except I know I can't lift a car?"

How like Nathan. He is so exact and tries to immediately think about any exception that may exist to any statement or principle.

But now Nathan picked up telling the story, "Yeah," he laughed, "I told Daddy there was no way I could lift a car!"

I was all ears.

"So, Daddy said I could do anything I wanted and took me over to the car and I lifted the car."

What! Nathan lifted a car? Did Wade tap into some type of mental super-strength for my child to lift the front of a car?

"So," I asked, wide-eyed, "how exactly did you lift the car?" I wasn't really sure I was prepared for the answer!

"It was easy," Nathan said with sparkling eyes, "I put a jack under it and pumped it up."

"That's wonderful!" I exclaimed, amazed at my husbands lesson. It was actually two lessons: 1. You can solve any problem, and 2. Think beyond the obvious.

I needed that lesson. When I was thinking about lifting a car, the only thing in my mind was someone putting their two hands under the bumper and lifting it up. But in actuality, using your mind to come up with a solution is more powerful.

That's the type of thinking that allowed a man to invent the steam engine. That's the kind of thinking that allows us to drive 70 miles an hour in vehicles of total luxury. That's the kind of thinking that got a man on the moon.

The lesson to use your mind to find solutions for the "impossible" is more valuable than I can describe. Take a moment today to reveal to your children the awesome power they possess!

Laura Bankston is author of Cooking with Kids Curriculum: "Homeschool Cooking in a Box" and the "Homeschool Cookbook". She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

home cleaning services Deerfield ..

In The News:

DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.

Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

Teaching Your Child To Lift a Car

Parenting