There are some odd double standards in our society about model building...

[southpier]

when I was a boy ... the Leaders would make us urchins forage for our gruel

[mrknowetall]

In my circumstance, the Cub Scouts come to mind. Particularly Pinewood Derby time. VERY few pinewood cars were actually built by the young Cub, and it was obvious to all. And overlooked by all.

Some of those little cars had gorgeous paint and graphics.

[1930fordpickup]

In my circumstance, the Cub Scouts come to mind. Particularly Pinewood Derby time. VERY few pinewood cars were actually built by the young Cub, and it was obvious to all. And overlooked by all.

Some of those little cars had gorgeous paint and graphics.

The square block that was brush painted was done by the kid. LOL

When my dad was first involved back in the late 60's they had the parents build a car for themselves to run after the kids were done. That lasted a few years.

[Tom Geiger]

In my circumstance, the Cub Scouts come to mind. Particularly Pinewood Derby time. VERY few pinewood cars were actually built by the young Cub, and it was obvious to all. And overlooked by all.

Some of those little cars had gorgeous paint and graphics.

Guilty! My father was a perfectionist and pretty much built the car while I watched. He even engineered it with movable / removable weights by drilling holes across the bottom on his drill press, and cutting down large nails to fit in those as weights. Way beyond my 8 year old skill level.

The square block that was brush painted was done by the kid. LOL

Or it's the car my wife's brother built for his kid!

[rmvw guy]

Here is my suggestion. Help them build all you want. If they have an interest to watch you build, do it for them. They will learn by watching you. When they want to try let them try. Show them all the skills you have learned. When it comes time for a contest let them build that one on their own. Now everything is perfectly legal.

When my son played little league, I provided everything I could for him and drove him anywhere necessary I practiced with him every chance I got. When it came time to play he was on his own.

When he wanted to build models I did the same for him. I would have done this for any activity HE chose, not me.

[johnbuzzed]

Too many parents see sports and music as the way to an easy, money-filled career for their kids; hence, the $$$ invested and almost fanatical attitudes. "Friday Night Lights", "America's Got Talent", "The Voice". Do the parents give any real thought to the whole process? Do they take their kid's well-being into consideration? You gotta wonder if many of the kids involved are actually having fun.

I hate to say this, but "When I was a kid", a bunch of us could be occupied for hours via a couple of well-used bats, some gloves of equal status and either a pink Spaldeen, tennis ball or even an actual softball. Out in the street, first and third are the cracks in the curbs, second's the oil stain- and NO PARENTS to interfere. We were outside, we got exercise, we solved any problems that arose and we had fun. Then, there were days when we would head down to a friend's basement or my breezeway or a table in a porch and we would build models, the way we wanted to.

[Tom Geiger]

Many years ago... note that the kid in the story is now 30... my daughter wanted to build a model. So I got her the Ghost Buster ambulance for Christmas. We set up on my work bench and I drew a line down the middle. My side and her side. My bench is covered with brown paper so we drew boxes on her side with color names. She took all the parts from the trees and put them into the spots with the colors she needed to paint. I never pushed her. If she asked if we could work on models that evening, we did. If she walked away, so be it.

Well, we worked earnestly and she got her car done in time for the show we were targeting. She was very proud of the effort. So off we went to the show, the old Staten Island Model Car show, which was held at a college in conjunction with an AACA car show. A perfect event to take a kid to, since there was a lot of activity, food and even some of those old truck mounted kids rides.

This was back before I had won any awards at shows, so on the way there we talked about how we were going to the show to participate and show our models to other people. Our goal was to have a good day. We agreed that we weren't concerned about awards and prizes, and wouldn't let not winning ruin our day! She seemed fine with that, so off we went.... with no expectations. Hoping she learned a nice lesson.... and this is what happened....

So much for the life lesson!

[clovis]

Or it's the car my wife's brother built for his kid!

LOL...now that is funny!

[johnbuzzed]

I learned to build by watching my Dad (and my Mom, on occasion). I learned at a young age what it's like to spill liquid cement and get a razor blade cut. I was reading instruction sheets when I was 6. Dad taught me the basics and more, his skills from working in the shops at Republic and Grumman did carry over to styrene. He might help out with the fiddly and stubborn parts, teach me how to get a part to fit or hold an assembly while the glue dried for me. But, the model was mine to build, paint, decal, etc.

My kids learned the same way; my daughter never really was too interested but my sons have since become prolific builders of "Gundams". There is no need for paint with those kits but they have the assembly processes down pat. They have been to local shows with me, they have taken home their shares of awards and they have judged at the LIARS Challenge a few times -they had the self-confidence in their abilities and understanding of the hobby to be willing to judge. Not only did I feel they were capable, so did the rest of the club members.

My daughter has her own kids now; I have built with my 7 year old grandson a couple of times. I helped him pick out a kit once, explaining the differences in the kits that were on the shelves. With a few basic "watch me's" and some help with a stubborn peel&stick or two, he did fine. My sons, who live with my daughter back on LI, say he does just fine on his own, and he does have a few completed builds. My wife has been encouraging our granddaughter to sew, having bought her a basic machine last year. They are works in progress.

I never pushed my kids into doing anything; but I've ( well, we have) always encouraged them in whatever their endeavored. They've been through soccer, karate, Little League, robotics, high school cheerleading, et.al. but what they do, they enjoy. Even as "grown-up adults", just like their parents.

[Art Anderson]

In my circumstance, the Cub Scouts come to mind. Particularly Pinewood Derby time. VERY few pinewood cars were actually built by the young Cub, and it was obvious to all. And overlooked by all.

Some of those little cars had gorgeous paint and graphics.

BAck 35-40 years ago, first when my brother and his kid were in scouts, Pinewood Derby was pushed as a "father and son" thing, and for me in 1981 it was an "uncle and nephews" event--their Dad having passed away suddenly the previous fall.

I helped my older nephew (and his Dad) the extent that I lent them my scratchbuilt 1/25 scale 1923 Miller 122 "HCS Special" Indy winner, as that was what Geoff wanted to build (he at the ripe old age of 9!). He carved out the body himself, using my model as his visual reference, with Dad helping make the fairly complicated frame rails and helping him install those on the sides of the solid wood body. Geoff insisted on painting the car, along with the "winged" HCS logo's on the side, and did a very respectable job of that for his age. The car didn't win the Derby, even though it came in 2nd or 3rd overall, but man-oh-man you should have seen the proud and wide smile on his face as he walked up to receive his award!

What does Geoff do now at almost 53 years old? Designs and builds custom hardwood furniture for clients--makes a heckuva living doing that, and passing on his skills to his 4 kids! And, he lets them do the work on school projects etc, being a "resource person" and advisor--but THEY do the work themselves.

Art