A little psychology goes a long way

Well, you know how teenagers are! Bill's grandson, Kyle, will be seventeen in a couple of weeks. Ever since this wonderful little boy (who is now handsome and man-size) was a toddler he was a builder, a connecter, either constructing or destructing everything in sight. We knew then he'd be a builder. Last weekend he had his first real project, tearing off a porch and building a deck for a neighbor lady.

Bill, an expert carpenter with year's of experience, was full of ideas and went over Saturday to offer his advice, all of which was quickly rejected. And you know how rejection hurts. Gramps came home complaining, "I'm going to call that boy Jughead. He gets something in his head, and he won't listen to reason. He needs to do this and that. He won't let me help him, and it's not going to work his way. Why won't kids listen?"

Sunday morning hubby went over again, this time to offer his physical assistance. Instead of telling Kyle how to do the project, he ASKED him. "Now, what do you think about ...? And how will you do ...? And would it work better if ...? Will you screw that here, or would it be better here?"

This was the best bonding experience for both Kyle and Grandpa. They both learned a lot. Kyle learned how to get the job done right. And Bill learned that reverse psychology is sometimes a better tool than a crowbar. Kyle went across the street, collapsed on the couch and told his mom (Bill's daughter), "I really thought Grandpa knew a lot more about building decks. He asked me a million questions and I had to help him figure out everything!"