Searchingtoo's Blog

I think the reason the First Junker Car went the way of the dodo is because of the parents themselves. When I took Driver's Ed back at Shawnee Mission North WAY back in 2000, all the guys I knew had 5-0 Boss Mustangs, Corvettes, or even Camaros. Not the beat up, rusty old ****boxes, either. These ones were shiny, new fresh-off-the-lot cars. I asked them where they got the money for such cars, and they simply responded "My parents bought it for me", and there they were at the back of the parking lot drag-racing them. Those same guys always had a cell phone in one hand and the gearshift in the other as they drove around. How they kept the car on the road is beyond me. This problem is all too common nowadays. Parents buying the biggest and best for their kids, and their kids never learn to take care of the cars. Either daddy always takes care of the car or they have all the work done by a mechanic and parents foot the bill.

Searchingtoo, its called "responsibility", and teenagers these days never learn it. I started learning about responsibility when I was 3 or 4 years old because my parents wanted me to help raise my younger brother. I was born in October 1983 and he was born in June 1985. I had to help raise him and take care of him. When he cried, I had to run in and check on him, then let mom and dad know if he needed anything. As I grew older, I was eventually given allowances and taught responsibility and money management that way. After that, once I got into middle school, my responsibilities were helping with chores and other housework and helping my brother with his homework. Once I hit high school, I was already well-versed in "responsibility", and I started challenging myself by helping out teen girls with some of the issues they had to deal with. I was 15 when I first started doing that, and ever since then, I earned a reputation as "That really nice guy everyone can trust", but I wasn't considered "boyfriend material" so I never had a girlfriend. Continued on next post...

You did learn how to parallel park the failing played in your mind over and over until you knew where you went wrong.

Searchingtoo, people are not as open-minded these days. That is one reason why I haven't found anyone. I want someone who is open-minded about things...Not necessarily sharing my same views, just someone who isn't biased towards one thing or another. It is almost impossible to find people like myself in this world. I have a very open mind, and I often tend to follow my own rules instead of society's rules. I also have a habit of speaking my mind, telling people how I feel about things. If I do not like what people are doing, I am not afraid to talk about it in front of a whole crowd. I don't necessarily dislike cops (as I mentioned in ibreakforcops blog numerous times), I just dislike how they do things. I feel that if one person is allowed to get away with a wrongful act, everyone should be allowed to get away with that same act. I do not like censorships; if people don't like what I am saying, they should seriously consider what they are doing to make me say what I am saying.

Searchingtoo, I agree with you, I have 3 boys, the oldest boy I decided that I would help him buy his car ( a 6 cyl camaro) nothing extravagant just an ordinary car that had some personality, long story short it was totaled. 2 son, I dec ided to give him my old 4x4 truck because he needed to learn the inner working of the truck and learn how to work on it, long story short it is sitting behind the house and he has no interest in it. 3rd son I had a talk with him and told him that he was on his own to buy it, keep gas in it and pay the insurance on it but I would help him fix it up, run and look like a new one, long story short he bought a $600.00 Neon and has held a job to make the insurance and gas payments and we are working towards making it look cool and run good. Dad does help once in a while with the gas situation but over all I am very proud that he has taken the initiative to becoming responsible just wish I had played the other 2 like that.

It is coming upon that time in our household to start with our oldest driving. My husband was made to buy and maintain his first car. I on the other hand drove what my parents had available. When my sister bought a new car, she gave me her 1981 Dodge Colt. That was mine, for what it's worth to be called "mine." I didn't pay for it, nor any that I drove, however, I did take good care of anything I drove. And that's because my parents taught me well. Now life will get interesting in our house as there is a definite difference of opinion. My son who is 15 is saving money currently towards the purchase of a vehicle. Our thought at this point is that we will help him since he is saving. Or he can drive what we have available. I will not expect him to hold down a job just for the mere purpose of vehicle expense unless he can do so and keep up his grades and activities. I say it is a very personal item of interest and to each his/her own. Each of us are unique individuals, and honestly, if you raise your child/children to be mature, responsible people, it shouldn't matter if they used "their" money or if you pay for it.