Simple Rules

Hello there Woburn.

I overheard two students talking the other day, and the conversation went something like this: "My Father said to just parallel park the best I can on the road test, after that he will get me a car that does it for me." I had never heard of such a car before, and I consider myself a car guy. I went home and looked it up, and sure enough, there are many cars out there that do that driving chore for you now. There is a car that will automatically stop if something crosses behind you while you are backing up, and there is one that automatically slows down if you begin to get too close to the car in front of you, Tailgaiters will someday be a thing of the past!

That night, I wondered out loud to my wife, "What else do kids no longer need to know?" Little by little, I began to ask kids about certain things in the course of conversation, and sure enough there are many things they have no clue about but should. Even though they may never have the need due to today's technology, there are certain things in life kids gorwing up should just KNOW!

 So after taking a poll of kids ages 7 to 18 I have come up with a list of things that I think kids need to know.

#1 Every kid should know how to tell time on an analog clock. Most do not, most do not know what you mean when you say "Quarter Past," "Half Past" or "Quarter of," just ask them. You should know this before you get to the 8th grade. 

#2 Know how to use a Rotary Phone, There are still many out there, someday you may have to use one. Belive it or not, except on T.V. most kids have never seen one.

#3 Learn how to drive a manual transmission car; You may need to drive one at some point in your life, never mind the fact that it limits you from buying the really awesome cars in the future! Also, learn how to check your oil and washer fluid. These simple things can save headaches and money later. Also learn to check tire pressure, And most important, learn how to change a tire! If your in the sticks or road service is an hour or more away, why not just change it and be on your way?

#4 Learn how to read a road map. We all have GPS now, but learning this could be helpful, especially if your somewhere with bad reception, Also know your own town and where you live. I can't belive how many kids can't tell you how to get to their house from the other side of town.

#5 Learn how to mow the lawn. Most families have  a service now that does this, but learning how to do this will not only give you a feeling of accomplishment, but it will get you outside as well. The same can be said for learning how to use the Snow Blower. Also, learn how to start these two things as well.  Back in my day, knowing how to do this was a rite pf passage, and it also got you some pocket money as well. And if you did a good job, you could brag about it for a day or two.

#6 Learn how to balance a checkbook and manage your money. Balancing a checkbook may be a thing of the past soon, but knowing how to do this, and knowing how to read the monthly statement will keep you in the know when it comes to your money. It will also alert you if some thug starts pilfering your money elctronically or otherwise. Remeber, you don't just stick the card in and money comes out! it takes some management and banking skills before it gets to the point where the money comes out of the slot at the ATM machine.

So, this is the list I have come up with, My polling of students was far from scientific, as I said, it was more of a casual conversation. Feel free to add or subtract from the list. You may never need to do things such as change a tire or read a map, but knowing how to do this will make you the smartest person in the group if the need ever arises. And if you ever do need to use that old rotary phone at your Grandparent's, just remember you can't text from it!

Peace to all of you.