I was at the library and heard a mom tell her kid 'we fix things, we don't just buy new ones'

I was picking up a book hold at the downtown branch last Tuesday, and this little girl, maybe 5, was upset because the strap on her backpack broke. Her mom knelt down, looked at the torn fabric, and said that exact line. She pulled a small sewing kit from her own bag and they sat right there on the floor. The mom showed her how to thread a needle and they stitched it up together, talking about making it stronger. It wasn't a big deal, but it stuck with me all week. I'm so used to just ordering a replacement the second something gets a little worn out. That five minute repair probably saved them $30 on a new backpack, but it felt like it was about more than the money. How do you all handle small breaks like that at home? Do you have a go-to fix for common stuff, or does it usually mean a trip to the store?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_oscar1mo ago

Keep a basic sewing kit in your car for quick fixes.

bennett.nora1mo agoMost Upvoted

My grandpa fixed everything with duct tape, even my favorite doll. It looked ridiculous but lasted for years, which taught me a lot. Sometimes the fix doesn't have to be pretty to do the job.

cameronjenkins23d ago

The doll thing is sweet but i gotta disagree with the whole "doesnt have to be pretty" idea. Ugly fixes usually mean you half-assed it or used the wrong stuff. Duct tape works in a pinch but its not a real repair its just holding things together until they fall apart worse later. @the_oscar is right about having a sewing kit on hand actually sewing a dolls torn arm back on properly looks decent and lasts way longer than tape thats gonna get gross and peel off. Real skill is making something work AND look okay not just slapping tape on everything and calling it good. Grandpa meant well but there is a better way to do most things.