Quality time?

[Xyzzy_imp]

My son is fourteen years old. I think he views me as "lame" or "boring". I dunno, maybe I am?

I have to trick him to spend time with me. If he "helps" me with maintenance he gets some video game time.

At his age I would have given my left testicle to spend time with my dad, or to work on a motorcycle. But I am old-fashioned I guess. Air conditioning still freaks me out.

Someday maybe my son will come across this post and he will realize how much these few minutes of time we spent together meant to me.

We didn't speak much. I don't remember what was said, but I expect it was along the lines of:

Him: We've been out here for hours! And we haven't done anything!
Me: I know! How cool is that?

Him: This bike is ugly! I like the racy looking ones better!
Me: <Continues to stare at the CB in appreciation.>

Me: Hey, do you want to know why chain drive is more efficient than shaft drive?
Him: <Ignores question and continues popping soap bubbles on the ground.>

Him: We just changed the oil a few weeks ago!
Me: I wish I could ride more!

Him: That's good enough! It doesn't have to be perfect!
Me: Anything worth doing is worth doing right!

(It would be fun to hear his side of the story!)

Good times!

[the Ferret]

I understand.

There are years when they are lost (or so it seems). They come back. Trust me.

[Guth_imp]

When I first saw the photo, I thought your son was trying to send you a message by bashing out the headlamp on your CB. Until it dawned on me that upon further inspection he appears to be drying off your CB with a leaf blower. Phew, much better than having the headlamp bashed in.

In all seriousness, whether by trickery or not, glad to see you are getting to enjoy some time together with your son.

A funny, somewhat related story: My son is a good kid. He gets good grades in school and as a cross country runner he gets more than enough exercise especially as his passion for running grows. Still, he loves his video games as do his friends, and since he doesn't go overboard with it, I'm not inclined to interfere. I've even tried my hand at a few of those games. I stink at them, but I can usually figure out the gist of what I need to do. If nothing else, my attempts at playing are very entertaining for my son.

This past year, I thought I'd try to combine our interests and I purchased the Moto GP game for him. Wouldn't you know — out of all the games I've tried, this is by far the one that I am the worst at. Not even picking Marquez as my race character can help me. I seemingly spend more time sprawled out on the ground from crashing than I do riding (notice I didn't say racing) around on the course. Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time the disc for that game was pulled out of its case.

[hb9400_imp]

My son has a Vulcan 900 custom and I love the time we ride together. He wants me to leave him the cb1100 in the will Have faith, your son will share your passion in time.

[kevbroce_imp]

I didn't feel that close to my father at 14. I didn't spend a lot of time with him then, he worked a lot, we had different interests. But now that I'm 28 now, we talk on the phone pretty often, share a lot of interests and I wish I could spend more time with him. As I got older, I realize I picked up a lot from him. I'd say what you've got going is pretty typical.

[furious_blue_imp]

I know the feeling. For me it was the shock and disappointment when the day came that my son no longer automatically wanted to do things with me that we used to enjoy together. Then I recalled how it was when I got to be that age... My consolation was that if he didn't become more independent as a person, that that might be an even bigger thing to be concerned about.. ah life...

[Blockhead_imp]

I also know the feeling...my 15 yr old thinks I'm lame and dress like an old man. He says my CB is an 'old man bike' etc...he trail rides a YZ250. I remember not being close to my dad at his age too, I'm sure it was tough on him. Luckily I'm fortunate enough to have the money to buy a bike that I can ride trails with him in addition to my CB. I will be picking up a Yamaha XT250 soon.

[drodg33]

Well my daughters are all in their 30's but I have five grandsons. I love spending time with them and I try to do things that are of interest to them. I have a couple boys that love to be in the garage with me but others would rather throw a ball around. Anyhow I am trying to really be active in their lives. It is hard to connect at times especially with the competing electronic things. BTW a hope for the future generation my 12 year old and 10 year old grandsons love the looks of my CB11 Deluxe.

[noroomtomove]

Xyzzy

Is your son wearing hearing protection, or headphones for his music.

Do him a favour and introduce him to ACDC, easy listening for generation now.

My son is nearly 27 and he tell me now that he just liked to hang with his dad when he was younger it did not matter to him what we did. Its a journey not a destination.

Regards

[Xyzzy_imp]

Xyzzy

Is your son wearing hearing protection, or headphones for his music.

Do him a favour and introduce him to ACDC, easy listening for generation now.

My son is nearly 27 and he tell me now that he just liked to hang with his dad when he was younger it did not matter to him what we did. Its a journey not a destination.

Regards

Hearing protection. That is part of my "Life Lessons" series called "Do As I Say Not As I Do". That particular segment serves two purposes. One, hearing protection is important because you lose hearing very gradually until one day you realize it's too late, and two, you're going to meet lots of people in life who say one thing and do another. I'm just preparing him for the real world, eh?