I think that it is very important to have the knowledge to fix things at home without calling a professional every time there is a problem. I have stressed this to my children, so they can be self-reliable when they grow up. I taught them how to change the oil and check the tire. I taught them how to check the brakes and diagnose problems with the engine. I also taught the kids how to fix machines inside of the house like the furnace, air conditioner, washing machine, and others. When I had trouble with the AC unit in the house, I immediately started working on the air conditioner so I could fix the problem. I racked my brain for days and I was unable to come up with a solution to the problem. I needed the air conditioner to work and I wasn't having any luck on my own. I decided to call a repair service. I didn't want anyone to know that I called a pro, so I asked the service professional to park at the end of the street. The guy originally said that he would do that, but he still parked the repair truck in front of my home. I guess everyone in the neighborhood probably knows that I called a professional. I was trying to keep that a secret, but the HVAC repairman made it impossible after he blew my entire cover by parking in the driveway. It's only a simple matter of time before the kids find out that I had to call a professional for help. I'm sure they will have a few things to say about my temporary lapse in judgment. I'm getting older and that should be a pretty good excuse that warrants a little bit of extra help every now and then.