Son lost jack tools -- help

I'd say let your son pay for a new jack at least -- that would teach him a lesson where it really hurts... the wallet!

In the meantime, you just need something sturdy enough not to bend when you put force on it, and long enough to act as a lever-arm. Wear safety googles in case the bar pops out of the hole.

snipped-for-privacy@mailcity.com wrote:

I suggest that you tell (not ask, TELL) your son that as well as reimbursing you for the damage to the car, he must go "out in the woods somewhere" and find your jack handle, or go get one and pay for it. You lent your son the car, and you should get it back in the same condition it was when you lent him the use of it. If you don't, you're not doing your son any favors. Trust me.

Junior can enrol at tech - night school - the amateur metal workers' course. Just a length of 8mm bar with a 4mm rod drilled & welde through it, the other end bend round. He could probably finish it in one or two nights then drop out, but he might understand the value of it better.

E-bay. Look for good price and cheap shipping. I bought a toyota jack two years ago for a car my wife bought that didn't have one. I think I paid $10 for the jack and tools and $10 for shipping & handling.

snipped-for-privacy@mailcity.com wrote:

Thanks all for the suggestions. Someone suggested checking with the dealer. While not cheap, I can get the missing part for $20, which would be about the cheapest I think I can get away with, and it will fit!

Junior has been a problem child for years. I won't bore the group, but we asked him to remove himself from the house in June when he turned 18 and failed to graduate HS.

He's been living in his car in the woods for the past three months (he has worked full-time this summer, last summer, as well as part-time during school).

While I could insist on his paying this off, it would be number #5 on the list after several other things he owes us for.

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This makes me sad, though I don't know the young man, nor you, his father. I do hope that you will come to some sort of agreement, or entente, or detente, which will change both your lives for the better. Keep on Truckin', and thanks for sharing.

Well, dear son has been through several counselors, a couple of psychologists, tested for learning disabilities, sent to boarding school for six months and then "two months of wilderness discovery," and still insisted on being a drug user with a smart mouth and little ambition.

In the meantime, I had to put a second mortgage on the house a few years ago to pay for the various therapies, and since my company is cutting back my position this year, we all might just end up in the woods with him (actually, we'll probably have to sell and move elsewhere, but approaching that when it comes).

But, the bright spot is that while he is nowhere near to being where he needs to be in terms of facing responsibilities, etc., he has made significant improvements since we have shown him the door. His next major step needs to be prioritizing his spending. But since he was fired from his job last week (no fault of his own, his employer was forced to cut a number of positions, also), I think that will soon take care of itself....

Friend, know you are not alone. Just as information, The Salvation Army has a rehab program based on work therapy that has help many such young men - and it is free. If he needs it [better than being in the woods] I'd recommend his checking it out.

George