Well, I see where I missed my own point, so to speak. What I wanted to say/ask
was: since the rural-homestead lifestyle requires that everyone pitch in, pull
their own weight, learn skills early and well, etc., my question was regarding
the use of tools and equipment by children - and how early they can be
responsible for using and caring for them. I think the farther people get from
the land, the more they distance themselves from their children. There's no
need
to be close (TV's a great babysitter) and no teaching to be done...that
becomes
someone else's job (ain't money grand?). I think we far underestimate our
children's potential for responsibility and - by doing so - we lower not only
our
expectations, but theirs, too.
Sandy