Area Father Thinks He’s Teaching Son Lesson, Unaware Real Lesson Is How To Deal With Angry Asshole
Area father Chris Watkins, 52, believed he was teaching his son Luke how to start a lawnmower, but recent reporting suggests the real lesson being taught was how to deal with a person like him.
“When he kicked the lawnmower twice and cursed at it — it’s like school was in session,” says Luke, 12. “I knew this was a great opportunity to learn from my dad how to deal with difficult people who flip out over small disappointments.”
Chris’ twenty minute lesson included multiple experiential modalities, a tactic childhood education experts say is essential.
“While Mr. Watkins personally believed he was teaching his son about the operation of ignition coils in small gas-powered engines, his looming physical presence, emotional dysregulation and ability to project items across the garage allowed Luke to quickly grasp the actual lesson,” says Dr. Cheryl McShae, dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Psychology. “Namely, how to endure the unhinged antics of people who refuse therapy.”
Futher, sources say, Chris’ ability to swear in a foreign language exposed his son to other cultures. “I speak a little French now, I guess,” says Luke.
But don’t ask him to start the lawn mower, a mere two days after the lecture. “I still have no idea how that works.”
Chris disagrees. “Sure he does. The kid just doesn’t listen.”
