Child labor works!

@TheHorse (220275)
Walnut Creek, California
April 8, 2017 11:54am CST
I have my child laborer working on another project with me. Actually it was he who discovered this one near the dumpster and suggested we restore it. It's a dresser, probably veneered in "Philippine Rosewood," an inexpensive but fairly attractive wood. He's such a good kid. A woman from our apartment complex tried to drag it away, and his mom said, "No, that's the boys' project!" My young friend decided we should finish it and give it to her (the lady who wanted it). I think she moved in recently and needs furniture. Right now it's pouring out, so the project is in front of my door under the eaves. We'll finish it soon, and take it to the lady who wanted it. The kid is only eight and knows ALL of my tehniques, including "water treatments" and which grits of sandpaper to use at each stage of the project. What's wrong with a little child labor, and the old "apprentice system"? Put 'em all to work I say!
17 people like this
20 responses
Carol Brown
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
8 Apr 17
Who knows, that child may have found a career without ever having to punch a clock! Good work!
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
I think he's going to grow up to be an engineer of some sort. Maybe he'll do woodworking on the side, like me.
2 people like this
Carol Brown
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
8 Apr 17
@TheHorse What does he do that suggests the engineering career?
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (61643)
• Centralia, Washington
8 Apr 17
Great photo. You'll have rehabbed all the kids for a good fifty miles by the time you are an old man.
2 people like this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (61643)
• Centralia, Washington
8 Apr 17
@TheHorse You're a pretend Dad to many other kids, too, is what I hear.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
@sallypup I enjoy playing that role. I had a good dad, and I think boys need male role models.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
He. He's just a friend whom I've known when he was three. I get to be a pretend dad. His mom is strict, but she's there for him.
1 person likes this
Patsie Hatley
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Apr 17
that kindof child labor I think is great lol lol lol
2 people like this
Patsie Hatley
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Apr 17
@TheHorse wow that is good I liked school as a kid lol lol
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
Kids really do learn a lot by doing. But he likes school-related stuff as well.
1 person likes this
marguicha
@marguicha (223802)
• Chile
8 Apr 17
I wholly agree to that!
2 people like this
marguicha
@marguicha (223802)
• Chile
8 Apr 17
@TheHorse My girls helped my husband wash his truck when they were small. They even invited other neighbor kids. That ended in their teens They were always tired to get up
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
Hmm. My car needs washing. Actually, he mentioned that, hinting that he wanted to help me.
1 person likes this
Michelle
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
8 Apr 17
Aww that is so sweet :)
2 people like this
Michelle
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
8 Apr 17
@TheHorse He is a good kid whose thoughtful =)
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
He's a good kid. And I do enjoy it when he visits. I think he knows that.
1 person likes this
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
8 Apr 17
As I child I have done many jobs.Selling paper,shine shoes,bus boy ,market etc.That is what I mean that I was never a child
2 people like this
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
8 Apr 17
@TheHorse well not sure.Maybe But mature very fast.
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
Do you think working early built character?
celticeagle
@celticeagle (168334)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Apr 17
How nice of this kid to want to clean up this dresser for this lady. We really need to nurture this type of behavior in kids. Good work!
1 person likes this
MandaLee
@MandaLee (3764)
• United States
8 Apr 17
@TheHorse That child is too cute. Have a blast!
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
We pretty much always do when we're together. I want to record us singing "The Pirate Song" together, but he's a bit shy about recording it.
Four Walls
@FourWalls (69033)
• United States
8 Apr 17
You go, Horse! Idle hands are the devil's playshop!! Put the kid to work! PS -- my car needs a wash.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
So does mine--bring your on by! We'll get it done.
1 person likes this
Deborah-Diane
@DeborahDiane (40321)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Apr 17
You are teaching him a skill which he will enjoy for the rest of his life. Good for you!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
9 Apr 17
I think he will! When he was in Europe last Summer, he did some woodworking with his relatives there.
1 person likes this
Deborah-Diane
@DeborahDiane (40321)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Apr 17
@TheHorse - How wonderful! You call this child labor. I call this changing a child's life forever.
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (317238)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
8 Apr 17
It's great to have help. I'm sure he's making a great apprentice since he knows all your techniques.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
He is a good apprentice. When he gets tired of sanding, and starts driving his Matchbox cars around, we still have enjoyable dialogue.
Morley Hunt
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
8 Apr 17
I'm a firm believer in child labour. My kids kept their rooms clean...helped in the kitchen...hauled firewood. They helped in the garden....looked after the animals....every one was expected to contribute.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
That teaches good values!
Angie
@andriaperry (117146)
• Anniston, Alabama
8 Apr 17
What a wonderful suggestion, he has a kind heart.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
He does! I think he's had good influences in his life. Heh.
Bhavsagar Bath
@SagarBath (22)
• Canada
8 Apr 17
Teaching him practical skills is awesome. Not very many people I know, myself included, know how to restore any form of furniture. Hes gunna be a smart kid when he's older, that is a given
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220275)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Apr 17
He is. I do wish he went to a better school. Because his mom is not wealthy, he goes to the closest public elementary school. Many of the kids there are the progeny of "ruffians."
Jennifer
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
9 Apr 17
That is amazing! Your a great father figure to so many little ones. This little one seems so sweet! =) I'm sure he was having a great time with it too. My son goes to work with my husband at times. For a few reasons...one is this is what dropping out of school gets you-my husband does remodeling for a living. Another is to teach him some skills he can use forever and the third is it takes HARD work to support a family!
Anna
@LadyDuck (472078)
• Switzerland
9 Apr 17
The kid is lovely and I fully agree with you that there is nothing wrong with the old "apprentice system". It's all wrong that this system is disappearing.
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (50524)
• United States
12 Apr 17
You lucked out having such a good helper.
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
11 Apr 17
plus you are teaching them useful things!
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Apr 17
That's the way, put him to work!
Sasha
@diosabella (4789)
•
9 Apr 17
He's learning a lot from you. Maybe someday he make an additional living from these little projects and make it big.