It's a steep learning curve with your kids, especially when you add in all your preconcieved notions of how wonderful it will be to share time playing R/C cars together. Over Christmas it was a great excuse for me to escape the mountains of wrapping and head outdoors with my eldest (6yrs) with a freshly charged battery and enjoy some Father Son time. Only thing is, each time we did it - it ended in tears.

Apparantley the problem is me. My wife sensitively informed me that No.1 son was disliking my habit of getting a go with his car - and 'taking over', showing off, and piloting 'his' car to the brink of disaster. And I'd do it every time. Gulp. And there was me thinking he'd respond like - 'Wow Dad! You're driving is amazing, you can do really cool stunts, I bet you really practised when you were younger. I can sure learn watching you!' Uh uh. None of it. Poor lad was hugely frustrated, and he'd end up forced to whack me in the gut to let go of his car. Pop goes the bubble.

But that was so last year! We've got a new contract for 2010 (Twenty Ten, right?). Its drawn up properly and everything. It reads "Daddy will not ever drive my car unless I say so. And if he does, he will drive it carefully."

So now perhaps we can move forwards - with more achievable goals of just playing together, most importantly on his terms. It's fine with me, as long as I'm playing, I'm happy.

Written by Rupert Stelling

You can support Rupert by buying Learning to R/C with Kids



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Rupert Stelling writes the Radio Controlled Gamer column.

"Having grown up racing Tamiya radio and remote controlled cars and trucks I was keen to get my kids started on the same hobby. Here, I share my R/C reviews and guides to getting started in this electric and petrol powered world."

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