Incel Ice Cream Date
“Just give me cash, I’m never touching tools,” my seventeen-year-old announced when I asked what he wanted for Christmas this year.
My husband got that look, you know the one. Where they’re plotting something and think they’re being subtle about it. That night after dinner, he vanished into the garage. I could hear drilling and hammering until almost midnight. When I peeked in, he just grinned and shooed me away.
Christmas morning, our son stared at this wooden contraption, confused. “What is this?” My husband, trying not to laugh, explained he’d screwed and bolted his cash gift inside. Multiple compartments, different fasteners, even some brackets that needed specific tools to remove. “Your money’s in there, buddy. Better figure out how to get it.”
The look on our son’s face. Pure teenage indignation. “Are you serious right now?” But twenty minutes later, there he was on the garage floor, socket wrench in hand, my husband’s old toolbox spread open beside him. Every time he got one section open, he’d find another challenge underneath. More bolts, different screws, even a piece that needed pliers to access.
“This is literally insane,” he kept muttering, but I noticed he wasn’t asking for help. Two hours later, covered in sawdust, holding his cash triumphantly, he actually looked proud. My husband casually mentioned that now he knew how to use every basic tool in the box.
Later found our son showing his friend photos on his phone. “My dad’s crazy, built this whole puzzle box thing. Look how many tools I had to use.” But he was smiling when he said it. Sometimes the best lessons come disguised as challenges. Sometimes you have to force a kid to pick up a wrench before they realize they actually like fixing things. Found myself browsing Tedooo app that night, looking at other creative parent “tricks” people share. Might need more ideas when his sister turns sixteen.
love me some jon stewart. 