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This is the second part of a series of articles about life skills a Dad can teach their daughters. In this changing world, the more that we can empower our daughters to be self sufficient, the stronger a woman we will build. Every Dad should make sure his daughter has a small toolbox of tools that she will need out there in the real world. These don't have to be anything fancy, your old tackle box with some of your duplicate tools will suffice. Some screwdrivers, a pipe wrench and a hammer will work. Throw in a roller and a paint brush and she, with some instruction, should be able to handle most simple repairs.
Here is an easy list of skills you can teach your daughter that, with a couple of hours time, will give her skills that will last a lifetime. Dads, you will love this one, teach her from a young age the value of duct tape and its many uses for temporary repairs. Teach her how to unclog her vacuum and how to change the belt and bag.
Windows And Doors
Teach her to change her own locks. Take her to your local hardware store and teach her about the difference between a deadbolt and a handset. Teach her about indoor and outdoor handsets and then walk her through taking one apart and putting it back together. This is a good time to explain about slot and Phillips screwdrivers. Teach her also about Home Security and how to make stops for her windows and sliding glass doors (dowels cut to fit inside the track). Also teach her about the different kinds of security locks she can put on her door for safety, like a slide bolt and security chain or the kick proof security that all hardware stores sell. This tip will save her money and may save her life.
Painting
The next time your wife wants you to change the color of the kitchen, take your daughter with you to the hardware store and teach her about the supplies needed for painting a room. Buy her, her very own brush and roller and tape and teach her how to use them and then teach your wife. Sign them both up for the free classes at Home Depot on wall paper and borders so they learn this too.
Plumbing
Teach her how to find the P trap in the kitchen and in the bathroom so she can retrieve her own rings when they fall down the sink. The Plumber charges $50-60 dollars an hour to do a 5 minute job and it will save you the frustration if you have to do this yourself. Don't know how to do this yourself? Home Depot and Lowe's both have plumbing specialists who can teach you so you can teach them. Make sure she has a pipe wrench and some plumbers tape. Teach her about the reset button on the garbage disposal and how to clean and maintain her garbage disposal and when she should just call the plumber.
Electricity
Teach her about electricity and not to be afraid of it. Show her the breaker box and help her to label the different breakers so, if she overloads a circuit, she will know which breaker to turn back on AFTER she unplugs all of those curling irons. Teach her to always turn off the electricity whenever she is making a repair. Teach her how to rewire a lamp, it will teach her the basics of wiring. If you know how and are comfortable with changing out an outlet or switch, teach her how to do this too.
Hanging Pictures
Teach her how to use a mini level to level pictures or that bookcase that keeps listing to the left. This would be a great time to teach her hammer safety and how to do a minor drywall repair for when she misses. A small putty knife and a small can of spackle to fix the holes should go in that tool box too.
These are all easy fixes that should not take long to teach but will be lessons remembered long after you're gone, Dad. I hope you found this informative and I hope all Dads will work to empower their daughters with love and knowledge.
About The Author: Debra Frick is a mother of 5 and a grandmother to 7 grandsons. She is a published author and poetress. Born in California, she now lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and many pets. Her hobbies include crocheting, reading, arts and crafts and bargain hunting.
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