Son who loves washers and dryers

[evloveswashers]

Hello, my name is Debby Skidmore and my almost five year old son LOVES washers and dryers. He has for about two years now. He talks about them all the time, draws them, builds them out of playdoh, blocks, magnets, cardboard boxes, etc. We also take frequent trips to Home Depot to play with and check out all the washers and dryers. He owns 11 toy washers and dryers ( he would own more if I let him!)
Anyway, my mother in law saw the segment on tv that talked about your club and sent it to me. My son has watched the video multiple times and loves it! I just couldn't get over the fact that there were other people with the same obsession! It was so good to know there are other laundry enthusiasts out there. So I searched on the internet and found you all. We are located in Columbus Ohio and I was wondering if there was someone nearby who had a collection, and if so, if they would mind if he came and looked at it. It would seriously make his day.....month......heck probably his year to be in a room full of washers and dryers that actually work!

Thanks so much and no worries if it doesn't work out, I know it is a long shot, but thought it was worth asking.

 

[philr]

That's interesting, I was part of that video (the fat guy who's described as seemingly normal or something like that!)

I live far from Ohio but I'm bet you'll find some members that are closer to you! Ohio happened to be the place where many of the greatest appliances were made, including my favorite, GM Frigidaire appliances.

I drove around Dayton two weeks ago to get a 1965 washer and dryer set that I'm fixing now.

 

[pulltostart]

This is really cool!  Who has the collection closest to Columbus, OH?  Talk about making that kid's day!

 

lawrence

 

[wayupnorth]

I was fascinated as kid with washers and every time I would find a toy one, it disappeared and a boys toy in its place. If the kid loves them, what is it going to hurt.

 

[ken]

Debby

This is great to hear. We have to recruit new members to carry on the legacy. Never too young to start! If you have the room buy him a GE Filter-Flo while they are still plentiful. They can be found cheap and are great fun to watch especially one with a mini basket. They are well built machines that last a long time and are great cleaners. I have one from 1983 Id give your son if I were close but Im in NYS. A 1966 GE Filter-Flo is what started my interest in washing machines and all things mechanical. [this post was last edited: 9/20/2016-20:35]

 

[ea56]

What a great Mom!

I too was fascinated with washers from as early as I can recall, all appliances really. Fortunately, my parents indulged my interest and I was never made to feel different because of my seemingly unusual interests. I even had my very own Royal Premier Upright Vacuum that I kept right next to my bed. I hope that there is a member near you that has a collection that your son can visit. You are a lucky Mom too, because before too many more years your son will gladly be able to do your laundry!
Eddie

 

[appnut]

Debby, a warm hearty welcome to both you and your son.  He is so fortunate to have a mom like you.  And how you described your son up to this point, hmm, it's a duplicate of many of our stories.  I'm hoping some of our members in the Ohio area will reach out to y'all.  I did look at your profile, you birthday is the same as my parent's wedding anniversary.  Bob

 

 

[bajaespuma]

I second what Bob said; your son is very lucky to have a parent who appreciate his interests rather than condemning them because they are unconventional. Maybe you and your son can plan to attend one of our next "Wash-ins".

 

[turquoisedude]

Welcome to the site Debby!  It's so nice to hear that your son loves washers and dryers -  I think many of us here on the site can reach back into our own memories and recall watching and inspecting machines when we were that age.   I can remember the '64 GE washer and dryer set my folks had but couldn't use because the house where we lived had really bad plumbing and wiring, so we did laundry in the '55 Whirlpool wringer washer my parents bought when they first arrived in Canada!  

 

I wish I was closer to Columbus - I'd be happy to give you and your son the grand tour!  

 

 

[sbond22]

I too am so happy for your son that he has such a caring and enlightened mom. Thanks for sharing your story. Hopefully it won't be a long shot that you find someone in your area that can help him share his interests with them.

 

[Chetlaham]

Your son if gifted!

A wonderful hobby to have. Regardless what people say, this is 100% normal. There are so many kids with all kinds of passions be it trains, school buses, sports, weather, trees, animals, buildings, appliances, the list is infinite. All that matters is that you support your son and his interests.

As he gets older Id recommend buying him an actual washer of his choosing, perhaps a portable to enjoy. Even if his interests move on, the knowledge gained will last forever.

 

[yogitunes]

welcome you and your son to our group......its a great start, wishing something like this was around when we were 3 or so.....great memories from growing up....my mother too thought it was a bit odd, yet encouraged it.....I got a Suzy Homemaker washer for Xmas one year.....

those types are no longer available anymore......

but was thinking of getting him started on something similar, and somewhat his size.....like one of these Mini Twin Tubs.....easy and safe enough for him for now as his collection will grow.....

http://dayton.craigslist.org/for/5732095130.html

 

[ken]

That's a great idea Yogi.

 

[yogitunes]

better if you can shop around for best pricing......ebay, Walmart, craigslist, etc

but willing to bet he would love one that he could see inside as it functions....

they go under different names, such as Danby or Panda.....just type in 'portable washers for sale'

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[tnmike]

That's great!

Debby,

My gosh! How lucky your son is to have you for a mother! You need the mother of century award for supporting his fascination with appliances. I was the same way as a child but was pushed back and essentially was my family's punching bag for jokes and ridicule. Not so much my parents (though neither liked my fascination) but by extended family. I remember so vividly an uncle laughing and telling me that "you will make somebody a good wife someday." Also, I recall walking into my grandparent's house and overhearing conversation in another room making fun of my fascination. So to read about someone who is not ostracizing but supporting their son's fascination is very heartwarming.

Mike

 

[wayupnorth]

Martin, I DREAMED of getting a Suzy Homemaker, after all the tv ads. Instead I got car models, which was ok. My cousin had a Wolverine wash, spin pink crank one we would play with every chance we could. Hers did not get thrown away like mine always did, because she is a girl. I was a girly sissy liking that stuff as boys have to be men they told me and like man stuff. Tough crap, I turned out just fine and still love old washers and old appliances.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Welcome!

And kudos to his grandmother, also!

If you ever visit Washington, DC, our huge museum is located just to the north in Beltsville, MD.

 

[aquacycle]

Well this is a familiar story for us, isn't it? I think we've all been that child in our younger days.

Debby, bravo for allowing your son to persue his interests. My parents were never fans of my hobby and would try to discourage it as much as possible, but that just made things worse for me. Don't worry about him too much - we all knew those people when we were younger that thought it was odd or weird, but for the most part we all grew into reasonable adults with jobs and houses and familes of our own etc.

 

[tennblondie78]

Hi!

Welcome!!! I wish I lived closer, I don't have a collection like most everyone in this group has, but I would love to have him come play with my 1976 Maytag set! He would love the consoles that light up when the washer and dryer run. Thank you for encouraging his interests and letting him be himself... You sound like a wonderful person!