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Parental Weaknesses: I Can't Buy New Boys
Charles Shedd shares the following true story in his book,
"Promises to Peter": When we moved from Nebraska to Oklahoma,
we brought [the binder twine] along. I had used it there to tie
sacks of feed and miscellaneous items. It cost something like
$1.15. So I said, "Now, Philip, you see this binder twine? I
want you to leave it alone." But it held a strange fascination
for him and he began to use it any time he wanted. I would say,
"Don't," "No," and "You can't!" But all to no avail. That
went on for six or eight months. Then one day I came home
tired. There was the garage, looking like a no-man's land with
binder twine across, back and forth, up and down. I had to cut
my way through to get the car in. And was I provoked! I ground
my teeth as I slashed at the binder twine. Suddenly, when I was
halfway through the maze, a light dawned. I asked myself, "Why
do you want this binder twine? What if Philip does use it?" So when I
went in to supper that night, Philip was there and I
began, "Say, about that binder twine!" He hung his head and
mumbled, "Yes, Daddy." Then I said, "Philip, I've changed my
mind. You can use that old binder twine any time you want.
What's more, all those tools out in the garage I've labeled
'No'-- you go ahead and use them. I can buy new tools, but I
can't buy new boys." There never was a sunrise like that smile.
"Thanks, Daddy," he beamed. And guess what, Peter. He hasn't
touched that binder twine since!
