As a certain Canadian named Red Green said, “if the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.” Not in Calvin’s case either way anyway.
A few years ago gifted a “tool kit” to my g-kids.(plastic) The 4yr old “knew” how to put the nut and bolt together, what the screwdriver was for and the wrench to hold it while he was……well, you get the idea. His parents were the furthest from being mechanically inclined. I know grandpa isn’t a’sposed to have a favorite but, well…..guilty as charged! Tru story!
They could buy an 8 foot 2×4 and an 8 foot 1 × 4 and ask the guy at the store to cut it into pieces so it fits in the car. The Calvin could build something. Then Calvin would discover splinters.
You would think that after Monday’s little escapade (https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2022/12/26?ct=v&cti=2208697), that they wouldn’t allow tools anywhere near Calvin!
Boys aren’t the only ones who should know how to use tools. When my girls were younger we would take them to Lowe’s every Saturday where they made little wooden toys. While saws weren’t involved, hammers, nails and screws were. We still have some of those toys hanging around.
When I was about 12, my parents hired my soccer coach (who was also a contractor) to install a ceramic floor in our large kitchen and hallway. He walked in with his son (who was my age), several sheets of plywood, several buckets of nails, and three hammers. He covered the floor with the plywood, gave his son and I each a bucket of nails and hammer, and said, “I want a nail every inch around the perimeter of each sheet.” I learned to drive a nail really well that day.
The difference between getting hammered and getting nailed is significant, but I’ve noticed that when we use a hammer, we usually say we’re nailing something.
This is where you take his enthusiasm and direct it to something productive. With a little bit of carpentry you might actually be able to help him raise his math grade in school too.
My 4 year old granddaughter loves helping her mom assemble small furniture. I gave her a mallet for leatherwork because an adult size claw hammer looks too heavy for her tiny hands.
I suspect that somewhere inside of her Fruedian sub-consciousness, mom is really wanting Calvin to pull out a router or a chainsaw. “Go the distance, young Calvin. Live in the now.”
I’m reminded of the time the Mom DID want a girl, but the Dad wanted to get a dog rather than have a kid. (“It’s YOUR fault we didn’t have a sweet little girl! YOUR stupid chromosome! Not mine!”)
BE THIS GUY over 1 year ago
This is when you give the boy 2 pieces of wood and tell him to hammer away.
dadthedawg Premium Member over 1 year ago
What are two young carpenters to do?…..
codycab over 1 year ago
Who would actually want Calvin’s help???
Templo S.U.D. over 1 year ago
As a certain Canadian named Red Green said, “if the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.” Not in Calvin’s case either way anyway.
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member over 1 year ago
It’s already a lot of asking for permission.
Imagine over 1 year ago
Does she need anything screwed?
Robin Harwood over 1 year ago
You try to help, and get rebuffed. Then they complain that you never do anything about the place.
Farside99 over 1 year ago
So, what about the things that I already pounded some nails into? Can Dad help me get them out if you don’t like them?
yoey1957 over 1 year ago
A few years ago gifted a “tool kit” to my g-kids.(plastic) The 4yr old “knew” how to put the nut and bolt together, what the screwdriver was for and the wrench to hold it while he was……well, you get the idea. His parents were the furthest from being mechanically inclined. I know grandpa isn’t a’sposed to have a favorite but, well…..guilty as charged! Tru story!
Cornelius Robinson Premium Member over 1 year ago
Bravo for asking first, Calvin
sirbadger over 1 year ago
They could buy an 8 foot 2×4 and an 8 foot 1 × 4 and ask the guy at the store to cut it into pieces so it fits in the car. The Calvin could build something. Then Calvin would discover splinters.
Dr. Quatermass over 1 year ago
Calvin, give up. You’re never gonna be the next Trent Reznor.
rshive over 1 year ago
All the stuff she has. And Mom still wants it “as is”.
The Reader Premium Member over 1 year ago
Quiet please. Mom is rereading the refund policy.
in-dubio-pro-rainbow over 1 year ago
“Nailed” it, Bill! I SAW what you did there!
'IndyMan' over 1 year ago
As it turns out, who can blame her if she did ??
jagedlo over 1 year ago
You would think that after Monday’s little escapade (https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2022/12/26?ct=v&cti=2208697), that they wouldn’t allow tools anywhere near Calvin!
Wren Fahel over 1 year ago
Boys aren’t the only ones who should know how to use tools. When my girls were younger we would take them to Lowe’s every Saturday where they made little wooden toys. While saws weren’t involved, hammers, nails and screws were. We still have some of those toys hanging around.
Who, me? over 1 year ago
I used to be able to hammer in nails without bending them over.
Just-me over 1 year ago
Mom, if you don’t give Calvin a project to work on, he’ll come up with his own…
bloodykate over 1 year ago
LOL!
Stocky One over 1 year ago
Snickerz over 1 year ago
To be honest, I don’t think Calvin would be much different if he were a girl…
grocks over 1 year ago
Calvin’s not wrong https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1985/12/29
Daltongang Premium Member over 1 year ago
Calvin, mom wanted a normal human child, which she unfortunately did not have. But then if you were normal, this comic strip would be boring.
Redd Panda over 1 year ago
Tools? Maybe he could fix that old table with the wonky leg?
EnlilEnkiEa over 1 year ago
You’re supposed to ask dad, kiddo.
uniquename over 1 year ago
Go work on your GROSS tree fort Calvin.
When I was about 12, my parents hired my soccer coach (who was also a contractor) to install a ceramic floor in our large kitchen and hallway. He walked in with his son (who was my age), several sheets of plywood, several buckets of nails, and three hammers. He covered the floor with the plywood, gave his son and I each a bucket of nails and hammer, and said, “I want a nail every inch around the perimeter of each sheet.” I learned to drive a nail really well that day.
SweetSinger over 1 year ago
Girls like to build things, too. Maybe that’s why Calvin doesn’t understand Susie.
sandpiper over 1 year ago
No, Cal. It was only after you turned 2 that she began to think of the alternative.
John Jorgensen over 1 year ago
When you’re holding a hammer everything starts to look like a nail.
Komix Lover over 1 year ago
I know a kid like that. Has to be incessantly sawing, pounding, reshaping the universe.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 1 year ago
The difference between getting hammered and getting nailed is significant, but I’ve noticed that when we use a hammer, we usually say we’re nailing something.
jim_pem over 1 year ago
This is where you take his enthusiasm and direct it to something productive. With a little bit of carpentry you might actually be able to help him raise his math grade in school too.
Oggi over 1 year ago
My 4 year old granddaughter loves helping her mom assemble small furniture. I gave her a mallet for leatherwork because an adult size claw hammer looks too heavy for her tiny hands.
mindjob over 1 year ago
Don’t come crying to Calvin when you want that room extension on your house and can’t afford carpenters
smsrt over 1 year ago
I suspect that somewhere inside of her Fruedian sub-consciousness, mom is really wanting Calvin to pull out a router or a chainsaw. “Go the distance, young Calvin. Live in the now.”
mistercatworks over 1 year ago
OK, now imagine an “adult” Calvin with hypersonic missiles.
g04922 over 1 year ago
Hobbes is precious…Calvin got a hammer for Christmas??
old_geek over 1 year ago
Wonder where his enthusiasm would be if he was told to do it.
wiley207 over 1 year ago
I’m reminded of the time the Mom DID want a girl, but the Dad wanted to get a dog rather than have a kid. (“It’s YOUR fault we didn’t have a sweet little girl! YOUR stupid chromosome! Not mine!”)
BamCat over 1 year ago
He could nail down the TV so it doesn’t jump around when he watches it.
PaulLeckner over 1 year ago
Time for a father and son project. Building birdhouses, step stools for mom to stand on to reach the top shelf in the kitchen, etc….
DonCoyote® over 1 year ago
Calvin: …“Mom,….. I dissected a frog!!!”
Mom: “Wow, they’re teaching biology really early in school, these days”.
Calvin: …………………………………. “School?”
WCraft Premium Member over 1 year ago
Hammers take too long. Maybe next year he’ll get a pneumatic nail gun.
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 1 year ago
At least he’s showing interest in a trade.
Ceeg22 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Better go back and ask