Building projects build relationships, too

By Marc McCann

As a dad who is pretty poor with his hands, I was concerned when my middle son asked me to build a toolbox with him from blueprints he found in a children's book.

Marc McCann

Growing up, I never did something like that with my father and, in fact, I felt left out when other Cub Scouts made space derby rockets with their dads. Needless to say, I jumped in, and the experience couldn't have been more fun or satisfying.

In fact, it has led to some regular projects together, projects that he knows are new not only to him, but to me, and that it will be an adventure we are diving in to gether.<

ACTION IDEAS

• Think about your childhood. Did you ever build something with your father? Was it meaningful if you did -- or didn't -- do something like this together?

• Check out "Bruno the Carpenter," by Lars Klinting, in which Bruno the Beaver introduces different tools, and step-by-step directions for building a toolbox. Consider following through and building this toolbox with your son or daughter, as I did, or take up some other project.

• Pay attention to and teach safety. Besides fun, building a project together is a good opportunity to teach tool safety, as well as the planning and process stages.

• Consider going to a home-improvement store with your child. Check out the tools, materials and the free weekend seminars and clinics that are offered.

The local fathering effort, in cooperation with the National Center for Fathering, provides bi-weekly action ideas to encourage Dads to reflect on their role as a father, and to stimulate conversations with their wives, significant others and fellow Dads. For more information, or to join local conversations, contact

David Eggebeen at e5x@psu.edu

Mick Trombley at mick@apartmentstore.com

Robert Orndorff at rmo104@psu.edu

Marc McCann at 237-1719 or marc@thesecondmile.org