In some previous post I have mentioned that I volunteer as an advisor to a local 4H model railroading group. I’ve done this for six years now. This is the third year that my son, who is 10, has participated. Each 4Her builds a 2’x4’ module with a double track mainline on it. The ultimate goal is assembling the modules into a layout at the county fair. We are actually in a bind this year because we may not be alloted enough room the include all the modules in the main layout. We’ll need a space around 12’ x 44’ to do this.
For the past few years I’ve built the basic modules - frame with a 2’ foam insert, legs and provide the electrical components. The kids do the trackplanning, tracklaying, scenery etc. This year we built 20 modules.
Because we have non-MR parents, I usually end up helping them lay the cork roadbed and track during our monthly meetings. Because of various constraints, I can only help 2 or 3 kids at a time. Well, at our last meeting while I was helping another child my son kept coming over and asking to borrow and use some of the tools - hobby knife, a marker, caulk gun, pliers etc. It turns out that he had decided to help one of the other kids get his cork roadbed laid. When I turned around there they were on the floor working away. By the end of the meeting he had both tracks’ roadbed glued down and ready to go and everything look just fine. After two years of teaching him how its done, makes Dad proud to now that he was actually listening and learning and can do it without any close up supervision.
So now I can say, it’s not that difficult, a 10 year old can do it.
Yeah, they do learn from us. Your son has no only picked up the techniques for tracklaying, but he has also watched you and absorbed the way you instruct others. He has learned to teach as well as learned to lay track.
Moreover, the other kids are ready to accept his help and advice, in part because he has acquired these skills the right way, and they can tell that. My guess is, he has also developed self-confidence, and that comes out when he’s helping others. And, if part of this is genetic, well, you can be proud of that, too.
I’m glad he’s learning from a loving, responsible parent. Too many of today’s youth are in situations where they pick up bad habits which last a lifetime from their parents.
My proudest moment with my boys is when they play with other kids nobody gets seriously injured. Kevin knows that cargo goes in the gondola and Eddie knows the wheels need to be on the rails correctly or the train won’t go. Not too shabby for 2years old. I hope that when they are ten, they would be helping out the younger kids as I hope the older kids also help them out when they need it. Maybe next year, all the older kids will be helping the younger kids and Jerry will only have to remember to shut off the lights and lock the door on his way out. Kudos all around.
That’s super cool, Jerry! And maybe some of the other boys, seeing how you and your boy interreact, will remember it when they have kids and will be better parents. Keep up the good work!
