Putting Things Together

[socalheart]

For those in a traditional family setting where there is a mother and a father with children, who puts things together in your family? Who put the kids' bike together? Who put the doll house together? Who put the highchair, baby swing or playpen together?

Is this something only the father does? If so, why? Do both parents work on it together? Is mother more handy with an allen wrench? Is it a "macho dad thing" for the father to do it? Is it just assumed that the mother has lost all ability to be handy? heh.

I recently thought of this because, we just bought a highchair. Not once did I think about offerring to put the thing together. I know how to as much as the next person who reads the directions. It just happens that my husband put the playpen, crib, stroller, swingchair and bouncey chair together. I put together lots of things when I was single. I don't know why I don't now though.

Things that make me go hmmm...

[okisteve]

Some men I know (ahem, ahem) will do chores like that (that they actually enjoy), so for the whole next week, "Honey, would you mind doing the dishes tonight - I think I need to tighten the bolts in the highchair, and hand me a beer while you're up."

[P_chan]

Me! My wife is about as mechanically inclined as the dog.

[Bones]

As posted by socalheart:

Is this something only the father does? If so, why? Do both parents work on it together? Is mother more handy with an allen wrench? Is it a "macho dad thing" for the father to do it? Is it just assumed that the mother has lost all ability to be handy? heh.

At our place, I do all of the assembling. I love working with my hands. If the item being assembled is too big, then I'll call my brother-in-law to help. My wife just doesn't have the strength that's required with holding up big items for extended periods of time. Like when assembling the gas grill, or a large cabinet, for instance.

The wife loves to sew. She buys a magazine, looks at an outfit she likes, buys the materials from Shalimar, makes her own patterns, etc....

I build, she sews, so we each have our special set of skills.

Bones

[Asshat]

Since the children are long gone, we do these things together. But really her role is handing me tool, getting me another beer, and telling me what the instructions say. Come to think of it, all I do is the grunt work. Torque fasteners, drill holes, that sort of thing.

[dk]

I don't deal well with physical objects... If I can't write it in code and upload it to a server somewhere, chances are it's going to confuse me. My wife is a lot better than me in this regard. I used to make fun of my dad because he can do a lot of electronics work but he can't figure out how to use a scanner. Now that I'm starting to specialize, I can completely understand.

I have helped my wife put together a few shelves, dressers, and miscellaneous things here and there though. I just don't volunteer to do it.

[Bones]

As posted by dk:

I have helped my wife put together a few shelves, dressers, and miscellaneous things here and there though. I just don't volunteer to do it.

What a slacker!!!!:army:

Bones

[dk]

As posted by dk:



What a slacker!!!!:army:

Bones
I assure you, I put my work in. I don't study until 2-4am every day for fun.

[Alana]

no kids but in my marriage i do most of the building, simply because my husband wont read directions and i am sick of shit breaking because it wasnt put together right, or there were 'leftover pieces' ( i know there are usually one or two extra bolts and screw but what i've seen him do before is ridiculous)

[perfect10]

My husband and I both put things together. I love to work with my hands and so does my husband so it is kind of a battle on who gets to do the majority of the work.

[CursedGTR]

MY wifey is pretty handy for her size and abilities (she has no clue how to use tools). But using a Filet knife to effectively put together furniture is a feat.

[Odie]

We don't have any children but when something has to be put together we both work on it. He does the heavy stuff and I do the stuff that is easier for smaller hands.

[wenjam]

My husband does the putting together of the great big things...like the cars that he takes apart to fiddle with...I am the one who puts book shelves, toy boxes, tables, beds...all that stuff together.....I love doing it. It teaches my girls they don't have to depend on a man to get something done.

[Asshat]

It teaches my girls they don't have to depend on a man to get something done.

LMAO! Good, the next time I need a couple of accurate holes drilled, or 75 inch pounds of torque applied to an allen screw into some pressboard, I will call you! I can save my fingers!

I'll bet the folks at Sauder Furniture never imagined their products could be used to further the "gender battles." LMAO! :thumbup:

[okisteve]

LMAO! Good, the next time I need a couple of accurate holes drilled, or 75 inch pounds of torque applied to an allen screw into some pressboard, I will call you! I can save my fingers!

I'll bet the folks at Sauder Furniture never imagined their products could be used to further the "gender battles." LMAO! :thumbup:

Hey - some of that DIY stuff is pretty hairy. When we moved into our house I ordered an entry closet from the Nissen catalog, and for starters it took 2 delivery guys to bring in the cartons. There were a few times during the assembly when I seriously regretted it (not being able to actually read the instructions didn't help), but fortunately there were some workers around when I had to stand the monster up or turn it over.

[Asshat]

Hey - some of that DIY stuff is pretty hairy. When we moved into our house I ordered an entry closet from the Nissen catalog, and for starters it took 2 delivery guys to bring in the cartons. There were a few times during the assembly when I seriously regretted it (not being able to actually read the instructions didn't help), but fortunately there were some workers around when I had to stand the monster up or turn it over.

No shit, I have also had that happen. If proving to daughters that they "don't need a man" is so important, I recommend letting them work on the car and put things together....for starters. :)

[okisteve]

No shit, I have also had that happen. If proving to daughters that they "don't need a man" is so important, I recommend letting them work on the car and put things together....for starters. :)

Off-topic, but I think the daughters might have a point. We hosted a neighborhood barbecue last night, and mostly my first-grader's friends showed up. Among the parents who accompanied them were 6 extremely helpful and cute moms (one wearing stretch shorts that almost caused a barbecue accident), and ONE dad, who arrived totally plastered and left even moreso (not driving).:-|

[perfect10]

I personally think there are something’s everyone should know how to do, like start a lawn mower, check and change your oil, pump your own gas. However, I also believe everyone should know how to cook and clean at least enough to survive on there own with out any outside help.

One of my neighbor in Jersey husband deployed she could not work the lawn mower, the weed eater, a cordless drill, or anything else that was a tool in some way. The 3 months her husband was gone I helped her put together a bedroom set for there twins, taught her how to use the lawn mower, put gas in her car (off base in Jersey you couldn't pump your own and her husband filled it for he when they filled up on base) change her oil, check her spark plugs and change them and the wires. It was funny because she always was interested in doing stuff for herself but was afraid it was no place for a woman. Her husband was so happy with her newfound freedom that we had a party to celebrate.... We did not need much in our housing area to have a party.
Anyway, I think everyone should be capable of doing things with there hands if they do it or not is up to them.

[dk]

Anyway, I think everyone should be capable of doing things with there hands if they do it or not is up to them.
I sort of disagree. All that matters is that you're able to put food in your belly (and your family's belly). If you can do that by providing a service, then there's no need to know specifically how to cook. If you can provide a service in a few hours of work that'll feed your family for a week, the better for it.

[NaNaKo]

I personally think there are something’s everyone should know how to do, like start a lawn mower, check and change your oil, pump your own gas.

Once I was at a gas station in LA, this lady (maybe in her 50's) came up to me to ask for help. She pointed at the pump and said embarrassingly, "My husband usually..." I helped her through the whole process.

[perfect10]

I sort of disagree. All that matters is that you're able to put food in your belly (and your family's belly). If you can do that by providing a service, then there's no need to know specifically how to cook. If you can provide a service in a few hours of work that'll feed your family for a week, the better for it.

I just think they should know how to do things not that they need to do them. But a little knowladge of how to work a stove, oven and microwave and simple things to cook, can't hurt anyone, even if it is just quick food like TV dinners.

[Asshat]

I just think they should know how to do things not that they need to do them. But a little knowladge of how to work a stove, oven and microwave and simple things to cook, can't hurt anyone, even if it is just quick food like TV dinners.

Work a microwave? No way! :)

You know P10, I will guess that more men know how to make a plate of spaghetti than women know how to change spark plugs.

More men know how to cook up a plate of steak with green beans and mashed potatoes than women know how to check tires for proper inflation.

What do you think? Accurate?

[wenjam]

No shit, I have also had that happen. If proving to daughters that they "don't need a man" is so important, I recommend letting them work on the car and put things together....for starters. :)

My husband does take them out and show them what he does on the cars, and also lets them help him out with puting things back together. My 6 year old knows quite a bit about tools, and a few parts of the engine already. My 3 year old helps him out when he changes the oil, and brakes. My husband used to rebuild cars in the States...passing his knowledge on to his daughters is important to him.

[Asshat]

My husband does take them out and show them what he does on the cars, and also lets them help him out with puting things back together. My 6 year old knows quite a bit about tools, and a few parts of the engine already. My 3 year old helps him out when he changes the oil, and brakes. My husband used to rebuild cars in the States...passing his knowledge on to his daughters is important to him.

Good for him. Many of us "here" are gear heads and involve the kids. All of mine are grown now, but all of them know how to work in cars, and how to cook....one of my hobbies.

[wenjam]

Work a microwave? No way! :)

You know P10, I will guess that more men know how to make a plate of spaghetti than women know how to change spark plugs.

More men know how to cook up a plate of steak with green beans and mashed potatoes than women know how to check tires for proper inflation.

What do you think? Accurate?

Not accurate.....I just changed the spark plugs in my van...quite a bitch to do, but I did it....also, how hard is it to check the inflation of your tires? DUH!! I can also change the oil, and rewire a stereo....

[Asshat]

Not accurate.....I just changed the spark plugs in my van...quite a bitch to do, but I did it....also, how hard is it to check the inflation of your tires? DUH!! I can also change the oil, and rewire a stereo....

You said my statement was "not accurate" because "you" can do it?

My statement didn't read like that at all.

[dk]

I just think they should know how to do things not that they need to do them. But a little knowladge of how to work a stove, oven and microwave and simple things to cook, can't hurt anyone, even if it is just quick food like TV dinners.
I can do that much. Chimichungas and sammiches for the win. Popcorn is easy too and so is instant ramen. Vegetables are easy. You don't really have to do much. Wash, cut, eat.

The only meal I can make is stuffed peppers. A friend forced me to learn how to make them from him hehe. Actually really yummy too. :D

I could learn to cook. I just don't want to.

[wenjam]

You said my statement was "not accurate" because "you" can do it?

My statement didn't read like that at all.


Right you are...sorry...I meant not accurate about me..my sister or mother could not change a tire if they had to...they would call AAA. I guess I paid a bit more attention to my Father growing up than my Sister...and I am a better person for it....Just glad I am able to do all those things by myself.

[Asshat]

Right you are...sorry...I meant not accurate about me..my sister or mother could not change a tire if they had to...they would call AAA. I guess I paid a bit more attention to my Father growing up than my Sister...and I am a better person for it....Just glad I am able to do all those things by myself.

lol, I did all that mechanic stuff too, plus my mother taught me how to cook. I still enjoy it, and cook better than the average "housewife." I use natural ingredients, grow my own herbs, dont use anything instant, etc.

[perfect10]

Work a microwave? No way! :)

You know P10, I will guess that more men know how to make a plate of spaghetti than women know how to change spark plugs.

More men know how to cook up a plate of steak with green beans and mashed potatoes than women know how to check tires for proper inflation.

What do you think? Accurate?


I agree, I have known both sides that didn't know how to put stuff in the oven, I have met people that can work on a $30 mil dollar aircraft and not work on there own vehicle.

And if I and my brothers had a cooking contest I can garauntie that 3 of them could kick my ass, 2 of them work on earth haulers at a coal mine for a living, the other is a trained gourmet cook. Therefore, I am not one for generalizing people into any category.

[okisteve]

Sometimes just some knowledge about mechanical stuff is as important as the actual skills. I can't help reflecting on my ex-wife, who was utterly certain that cars and expensive appliances take care of themselves, or my daughter, who was sure that it is a good think to slip the clutch while flooring the accelerator to start up a hill. I couldn't retrain her but just insist that she buys cars with AT.

[AIMHIGH]

If I could only get my wife to mow the lawn...hahaha

[cohen avshalom]

well ,for me the only one that is making the decision,is me and only me..


:first::first::first::first:

[Tempestuous]

We both do it.

Boost has his specialties
(like I don't touch bikes, scooters or the motorcycles)

but if I can do it, I don't have any issue doing it.

Usually we do things together, even if I do no more than read the de-structions to him & keep track of the tools.

[badkitty]

Well when I was married it was me... It seems that I always find a guy with ZERO mechanical skills... And now that its me and the kids, it's still me. For my girlfriends, it's me.... I guess I am not afraid to get a little dirty to put stuff together...

[Tempestuous]

No shit, I have also had that happen. If proving to daughters that they "don't need a man" is so important, I recommend letting them work on the car and put things together....for starters. :)

when I was younger my dad taught me how to build a real wood bookshelf (not just assemble the saunder stuff) as well as repair the carburetor.

He was away for training one time and my Mom replaced the rear axle on his jeep. We are handy gals :D

I know HOW to do many things or know where to look it up to be able to do it, as far as around the house- I sometimes CHOOSE to leave things for Boost. :eek:

[choplover]

In our house I am usually the one doing all the assembly, heavy lifting, and moving. I do get alot of "help" from my 4 year old though...lol.

[Oxmix]

Because I am an auto mechanic I get to do the honors. :)

Regards

Ox

[socalheart]

I couldn't even put the gawdang playpen together this morning! WTF?! Stupid contraption! :cursing: So, husband to the rescue; made it all better and stuff. I was that close to throwing it off the balcony.

This is the evil contraption that pissed me the heck off:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FG6PVEXRL._SL210_.jpg
Note its evilnness and grab a hammer.

Temp and tae, I am impressed at your handy skills. I rawk at the prefab furniture, as long as it isn't heavy. I suck at anything beyond a screwdriver and hammer; and I don't mean the cocktails. heh.

[Stephie098]

HAHA, I grew up in dealership service bays helping my dad work on vehicles, I did wood work for fun. Putting together things is easy pickens for me and the hubby. He used to work for GM before he joined the military. So we both get all greasy together workin on the vehicle if need be and doing big furniture stuff Ill read instructions, hold boards, and what not while hes puttin it together. So yea, its a combined effort.

[socalheart]

When it comes to cars and plumbing and stuff that requires a certificate to do; my husband works, so I can pay people to do that stuff. :p I got that from a shrink. lol.

[Tempestuous]

Like I said SoCal- just because I CAN do it, doesn't mean I do. :)

For instance- I refuse to light the water heater. I know how, I have the lighter and all that jazz, but it's a 'Boost job'.
Just like their bikes, scooters & motorcycles.

The oldest decided to try and take a razor scooter & try his hand at making it powered.
Told Boost it is Dad's duty to be out there navigating THAT adventure!
Mom says to heck with that!!!!
(besides I was JUST ranting about defeating the purpose of a scooter by powering it!!!)