I'd like to second Amos' comments about producing something valuable. My kid surprised me by bringing home some excellent stuff he had made in shop class at school. They included a lamp with a base made from what appears to be wrought iron. My admiration was genuine. I cringe at the thought of a 13-year-old kid using a welding torch, but apparently he did that with no ill effects. I have never used one myself.

Sometimes I think my kid has turned out - or is turning out - much better than I had any right to expect, given my own lack of parenting skills.