Today I’m going to talk about why women should know how to use a power drill!
When something goes wrong, or breaks around the house; it’s pretty easy to add the item to the honey-do list and then nag about getting it done for the next year or so.
I’m not saying men shouldn’t help around the house, or that they shouldn’t have a responsibility to fix things that go wrong. What I’m saying is, sometimes there are things that we can do.
Growing up, my attitude was this; if the boys can do it, so can I, which means I know a lot about fixing things. But after we got married, it became too easy to add chores to the honey-do list. And then nag and whine until he fixed it. Problem is, there is always a lot to do around here, and only so much time between getting home from work and bed-time.
Last week, my washer quit draining; the water just sat in the tub and the motor made a funny sound. Jason said he would look at it when he got home, but there was the patio that he needed to be working on. My mom then reminded me of how she and my sis and the two younger boys completely took apart and fixed her washer last year, saving them the cost of a new washer.
So, I went to Google and started searching. 30 minutes later I had a pretty good idea of what was wrong with the washer and also how to fix it. I made a mess, and it took me longer than it may have taken some-one else, but I got it apart, and pulled the pump out. Sure enough, my pump was ruined. Then it was back to Google and ultimately Amazon to find the part I needed. By the end of the week, I had my $60 part put in the washer, and I was back in business! Talked about thrilled. 🙂
The bottom front of my washer. Both old and new pumps are shown here, plus a lint trap that I knew nothing about, but badly needed a cleaning!
So, here are 7 reasons why women should know how to use a power drill (and other tools):
- The home may be the man’s castle; but it’s also your domain, where you run things during the day. Knowing how to take care of things on your own is just another part of caring for your home.
- You can save money. If I would’ve called in a repairman, who knows what it would have cost me to replace that pump.
- No one likes a nag. I don’t even like myself when I am nagging!
- Bragging rights. Need I say more?!
- Growing and learning. Learning doesn’t stop when you graduate. Learning must be a part of how you live your life. When you know how to fix things around your home, you are in control. You are not at the mercy of some-one else and you don’t have to wait on their schedule.
- You are your husband’s helper. If you have the time, and can figure things out, help him by crossing an item off of his list. Chances are, he will be so impressed that he will jump on the ball and cross a few things off for himself!
- And finally, it’s just pretty awesome, to say to your man, “Guess what I did today?” 🙂
Looking back through that list, I have to chuckle. Some of those reasons are very feminist reasons and some are the exact opposite. Regardless of where you stand in the feminist movement, they are all good reasons why women should know how to use a power drill and other tools.
One thing I should add: when it comes to most things around the house here, I am willing to try and fix them. But there is one thing I won’t mess with, and you shouldn’t either (unless you are trained), and that is wiring. Wiring can be tricky and is very dangerous. Please leave that to the professionals.
Jane Martin says
June 19, 2013 at 6:59 amHey! I haven’t a clue how to use a drill! I figure that the less that I know, the less that I need to do! LOL, I guess that sounds a little silly.
Kendra says
June 19, 2013 at 7:16 amHaha! When you have a man around to do things for you, that makes a difference. Growing up, my dad was always outside working, so I figured out a lot. But now my dad isn’t around and seeing mom get stuff done has been inspiring. She has actually installed a ceiling fan! And like I said, I won’t mess with wiring stuff 🙂
Shannon says
June 19, 2013 at 8:50 amThis is great!
My dad made sure my sister and I knew some basics about both car care and home maintenance. In fact, I think I brought more tools into my marriage than my husband did!
Scripture teaches us to be faithful stewards of the things God has given us. I view knowing how to use tools and make basic repairs as one way to faithfully care for the homes He has provided.
It’s also a great way to bless your neighbors. If you’re home during the day, you may be around when a problem develops and be able to lend a hand in a timelier manner than your husband can.
Kendra says
June 19, 2013 at 10:16 amGreat points! We are certainly called to be good stewards of what we have. And being able to help a neighbor is wonderful as well! Sounds like you have a very smart dad 🙂
Julia says
June 19, 2013 at 10:44 amLove it! Great post! I actually have my OWN power drill with bits, spare battery pack, and screwdriver heads. I totally agree– every woman should have a little took kit for those everyday repairs.
Julia @ Mom on the Run x2
Kendra says
June 19, 2013 at 9:05 pmYou have your own?! That’s pretty cool 🙂 I do have a few tools that hubby bought me for my vehicle, I have to admit they have come in handy now and again
Dianne says
June 19, 2013 at 10:45 amLove this! I am always trying to fix things around the house. Always. I’ll ask my hubby to do it but I’m the type that if I ask you to do something, it’s cause I need it done sooner rather than later. So to avoid the hassle of nagging and making a mountain out of a mole hill, I’ll do it myself. I love being able to fix things. Now, there are some things where I want to do it so badly but I just don’t have the physical strength or height (yes, I’m short at 5′ and standing on something that can cause me to fall and hurt myself is not worth it – I hate pain) to do them so I let it be for my hubby. Plus, I grew up with just my mom and younger brother. I saw her do a lot of things on her own and learned how to “survive”, so to speak, on our own.
I do agree that every woman should learn how to do things on their own, no matter the reason.
Kendra says
June 19, 2013 at 9:06 pmHaha! I call myself a girl wimp. Basically meaning that I still need a man to do some stuff. But I agree, it’s much easier and better to do it myself, than wait forever on a busy man 🙂
Dianna says
June 19, 2013 at 2:03 pmYes! Lately I’ve been thinking that I’m giving my husband too much to do. He’s been working long hours, and he’s been working hard on overhauling our backyard and making me a garden, and I hate to add anything more to his list. I fixed the vacuum yesterday! (it was a very simple problem) That’s a good start.
Kendra says
June 19, 2013 at 9:17 pmYou go girl! 🙂 I fixed mine too. It’s called duct tape! lol
LuAnn Braley says
June 19, 2013 at 7:28 pmYou go woman! :O) I totally agree with you.
A few years back, when we just had two kids and were living in Texas, we drove up to Kentucky to visit the FIL. Long story short – the van broke down in Arkansas, and the shop wanted $600 to fix the vehicle. FIL came down and towed us to his place and he and his son (my husband) fixed it for the cost of the part…$60!
And I hit a double-header yesterday in the helping out the hubs. His father bought a grill and wanted DH to put it together. Well, DH is having major shoulder issues, so our oldest child and I put the thing together. I felt like I was in a steam room the whole time, but it felt really good to help out. (Ok, the invitation to Sunday supper to test out the grill didn’t hurt either…and I won’t even have to cook that one!)
Have a great week!
Kendra says
June 19, 2013 at 9:19 pmI remember after we got married, there were a lot of things to put together. One day Jason came home and found me sacked out on the glider swing that I had spent all day putting together 🙂
And testing a grill is perfect when you don’t have to cook 😉
Susie@homemaker-mom.com says
June 19, 2013 at 8:39 pmI so agree. I love using my husbands drill and doing small projects!
hsmominmo says
June 19, 2013 at 11:01 pmA challenge to all of us! Thank you, Kendra, for encouraging us to pick up that drill and take our helper roll seriously! There are many jobs I don’t even consider tackling, just because my husband could do it. But being a busy man already, it would bless him if I would take of some things and not run to him, adding to his honey-do list.
Martha A. Galvan says
June 20, 2013 at 11:00 pmLearning to use tools is a great idea. I did take home making in jr high, but also wood shop, and I learned how to saw and hammer.
Now sometimes I am such a “girl”, I use my high heal for a hammer.
Anyway, when my kids were young, I tought both to cook and clean. I explained to my son how to wash his own clothes, sew and cook.
I gave my daughter a drill set for Christmas when she was 21!!!
And one day, I helped my son set up the new grill in the back yard!!!
Kendra says
June 21, 2013 at 6:30 amI think it is important that both boys and girls are taught the basics. The oldest of my brothers is actually a better cook than his fiance!
Martha A. Galvan says
June 20, 2013 at 11:12 pmYou are right about the wiring, only if you really know how!!!
I painted 2 bedrooms all by myself. I know most women can do that, but just doing it, with no help, including the ceiling.
I felt good!!!
I have been divorced for over 7 years…..and have learned how to do things on my own. But I also have a wonderful man in my life…….and sometimes I would say “I wish you were here, so u could fix this door” stuff like that, but try to do it myself.
And it does feel good to do it yourself!!!
The Provision Room says
June 21, 2013 at 3:25 pmNope! Not me! I won’t be fixing the washing machine. LOL! BUT, my 10 year old son can totally handle that! Oh, the beauty of raising a houseful of little men!
Last week he hung the basement door, fixed a door knob that was lose, reattached a pot handle, fixed the sprinklers, etc. So very handy! In fact, his daddy has started to give him his own power tools. I love it!!! I am blessed. 🙂
Kendra says
June 21, 2013 at 7:53 pmAh! I love it! Boys can be amazing. When my mom fixed her machine, my 9 and 11 year old brothers did most of the taking apart and putting back together. They really enjoyed it!
Katherines Corner says
June 21, 2013 at 9:33 pmthis is a terrific post!! Thank you for sharing at the hop xo
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
June 22, 2013 at 7:40 amI definitely wouldn’t touch wiring either. Fortunately, my dh handles the electrical stuff since he’s an engineer.
I do wish my dad had taught me more skills around the house. I feel frustrated waiting for my dh to take care of stuff, though I feel a bit overwhelmed right with what’s on my plate.
Thanks for linking up at Fabulously Frugal Thursday!
Kendra says
June 22, 2013 at 8:15 amJason handles the electrical as well. 🙂
And my dad taught me very little. I learned because he was to busy to fix things. lol
momstheword says
June 25, 2013 at 1:13 pmLove #4, lol! Bragging rights! My hubby is the “fixer” in the family. He’s actually very good at it too and has saved us lots of money in the past! But I hung a picture once and fixed a pan handle once, lol! 😉 Thanks for linking up to the “Making Your Home Sing Monday” linky party today! 🙂
Mrs. Sarah Coller says
June 26, 2013 at 1:58 pmI’ve been thinking on this lately too. I grew up as the daughter of a building contractor and for our first couple years of marriage, I prided myself on knowing more about handyman stuff than my husband. Somewhere in there, my attitude changed (thankfully) but I also started adding the simple repairs to his list. It’s been nagging at me a lot lately though—he really has a lot on his plate already! So, when we were moving beds around the other day, I took the opportunity to test out my rusty handy”man” skills! With the help of my 3 oldest sons, (and my 3 oldest daughters to babysit everyone else) I took apart the boys’ bunkbeds, (after re-figuring out how to RUN the drill! Ha!) hauled one upstairs, and put it all back together again. I was SOOO proud! 🙂
Kendra says
June 27, 2013 at 7:08 amAwesome! which brings me to point number 4: serious bragging rights! 🙂
Rebekah says
June 27, 2013 at 11:24 pmI love it that you fixed it on your own!! You go girl 😉