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My dad tried to fix my smart thermostat with a hammer
He came over last Tuesday because my heat kept cutting out. Instead of checking the app or the wiring, he said the 'digital box looked stuck' and gave it a solid tap with his framing hammer. Now I need a whole new Nest unit and he thinks I'm too soft for not just turning the dial on the old wall unit like he does. Has anyone else had a parent just refuse to engage with basic modern tech?
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kai_butler836mo ago
Ever try giving them a tech job they're already good at? I had my mom check the furnace filter while I looked at the smart lock, so she felt helpful. It keeps the peace without another broken gadget.
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hollyn706mo ago
Yeah, and it also stops them from feeling like you're just taking over. My dad used to get so mad when I'd just fix the router, but when I asked him to hold the flashlight and tell me what color the lights were, he was all in. It's less about the task and more about not making them feel useless.
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gavinw456mo ago
My friend's dad kept unplugging their wifi extender thinking it was a charger. They gave him the job of checking cable connections behind the TV, which he gets. Works like @hollyn70's flashlight trick, keeps him involved without breaking things. Ever find a chore they actually like doing?
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