Expecting It Done Properly?

Hey, we were only kids. So, yes. If you needed an ‘adult’ job done properly, then, as an adult, perhaps you did need to do it yourself, so it would be done properly, to your satisfaction. Or, better than that, do it ‘with’ the kids, and provide genuine guidance and instruction, so they would do it properly, and, be encouraged to do such work again. I think adults often forget that. There are several things to consider. There is obviously the size difference between an adult and a child. Most tools for example, are designed for the hand of an adult, not the small hand of a child or teenager. Remember as a kid seeing, or, even better, being given a ‘toy’ tool set. Real metal and wooden tools, but the tools were your size. Certainly not great quality to really get into serious working, but it was exciting. At least until your parents discovered several nails partially banged into the wall (usually one or two bent partway along their length). Not to forget the indentations from the head of the hammer, as it usually took a few swings to ‘get your eye in’ (we won’t discuss the punishment for that now, as your still waiting for me to finish the other punishment story).
Then, there is the experience difference. Even with something as simple as, how to visualise a completed project. Never forget that a child’s imagination is generally a little different to the informed imagination of an adult. Simple proof. Ask a child to describe a tree. You know what a tree is, what it looks like. But ask a child, and they will probably start with words such as, ‘Green’ or ‘Big’ or ‘Wavy’. So explaining the isometric drawing view (yes, I did technical drawing at high school) of the table you are planning on building/painting/distressing (trust me, the kids will be distressed if left to sand down a table for a day and a half by hand, I know from experience) may be well out of the average child’s perception. Unless you are prepared to build an exotic table with trellised ends and wing carvings. The child is likely to push imagination beyond actual ability.
And then that lesser ability. There are issues with concentration and focus. The kids may have wished to do the work (keen and eager at the start anyway), but were they actually capable of doing it? Or were they being placed in the situation similar to that of any child labour of third world countries (not too extreme a comparison)? Where the children are seen simply as a working unit. The old argument ‘it builds character’ may hold true on minor skill building. Or, perhaps when introducing a new technique, or method to a young person. But if you just used the children to get a job done, then could you truly complain if they didn’t achieve what you were expecting, had you done the job yourself or paid for a tradesman to do it?