Thread: Father Son Project..........NOT.....

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Good points. Oh and I have NO PROBLEM paying for the parts, that was never in question. IT was that he asked for money to do the labor - and not just a couple of bucks either - it was pretty significant.

Don't get me wrong, I like doing things for Jeff and "Helping him out." I know that their finacial situation isn't as good as mine, but the fact that he asked for the money for labor, it just GOT me. I paid it because I didn't want to have this come between us. My wife is pretty unhappy about it too but also didn't want to say anything.

I don't have a problem when my son charges for my daughters for their repairs. They never helped pay for his education or raise him from a pup. But they REALLY want me to work on it first, because I'm free and he charges them.

I consider this last one as water under the bridge, but I'm preparing myself for the next time he asks for a "Labor Charge."
Thanks...

Wow, I think he and I would be having a very serious discussion about his attitude. Familly is family, you don't charge your immediate family for anything. I think your Son has a serious lack of gratitude for not only the schooling you paid for, but the roof you put over his head and the food you put in his stomach for all those years. I don't mean to come down on him, but he needs a reality check and a lesson in priorities. I would think he would be jumping at the opportunity to give something back to you guys instead of trying to make a buck off of you.

Kick his little ungrateful butt around a little, sounds like you should have done that more when he was growing up. I would also reconsider how you spend your money now because you sure aren't going to be able to depend on his help when you are old and unable to care for yourselves.

Don

MRJB1929,
I agree 100% with what's been said here. For your kid to even think about charging you for his labor shows that his perspective is all wrong. Like Don says, he may have had it a bit too easy in the past but that's no reason for his actions. Like you say, it may be too late for the last time, especially if you paid him (I hope not!!), but you should be ready for the next time, and even set him up by asking for his help again. When he suggests paying for his labor give him a rundown of what you feel he owes you for use of the garage space, tools, cleanup, disposal of wastes and trash, etc, etc so that he owes you, and make it clear that if he wants to charge family for his time and talents there needs to be consideration of a re-payment plan for things he's received over the years that gave him the talents he has now. If he's got a lick of sense he'll quickly see that he needs to be thankful for the good parents he had vs some of the low lifes out there.

Thats a touchy thing. I have repaired things for relatives, and wouldn't take money. I don't want a relative as a customer..........nightmare......... But I don't think it's right for him to charge you, unless you knew before. I ask for help from my son when I need it and he helps. But, I want him to replace the ductwork in the house, and I can't help, so I'll give him somthing even though he said he would do it for free. If you have already paid him, just let that one time go. If you need him to fix somthing else, ask what's it gonna cost you. Then that might be the right time for that discussion. I have known guys that when they do what they do for a living they expect to be compensated. I personally would never ask my dad for money. If I couldn't afford the part I would tell him to get the part and I'd fix it for him. I owe my dad alot and couldn't stand myself if I treated him like a paying customer. And as far as the garage goes, If it wasn't like I left it, it would be the last time he used it.......................... Period.

Wow, agree with everyone on all points. This is crazy coming from a sons perspective. If you would have charged him a fee for every time you wiped his butt when he was a kid he would owe you for the rest of his life. Set him straight and let him try find a heated garage for free somewhere else. Sorry so harsh I am just appalled that you have been a good set of parents to him and he tries to charge you for a repair. Parts yes, labor no way.