I've never done a big remodeling job. In fact, I don't even own my own home. But I do have a creative, outspoken and anxious-to-help kid. And this is exactly why I am squinting my eyes and shaking my head with skepticism that the idealistic notion of getting your kids in on the extreme DIY home makeover is really a good plan.
I love the idea of getting kids invested in their family activities. In fact, one of my favorite childhood memories is getting out the atlas and planning the route for the annual summer road trip. But getting a ten-year old to decide between Disney and Sea World is one thing and getting a ten-year old to install recessed lighting is another. Of course, I am exaggerating here. But really, how much focus, commitment and color coordination can you expect of your child in the middle of an undertaking as huge as home improvement?
Sure, some kids dream about helping their mom stuff installation and use a nail gun to put up dry wall. And some parents dream of having free laborers to haul gallons of paint and scale up the scaffolding to bring dad Diet Cokes. But does anyone here have any concerns that all this "helping" and "investing" will lead to an addition decorated in Sponge Bob yellow with Bratz decals and Play-Doh faux finishes? And is the "value of working together toward a common goal" worth it when you have to pay a contractor to come in and redo the remodel (not to mention the hours spent at free Home Depot demos, family therapy and anger management) anyway?
