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As the economic crisis worsens in Canada with the cost of living increasing, consumer trust decreasing, and inflation on the rise, Ryan Gerritsen, a father of three daughters, has taken the initiative to teach his children important skills at a young age that should allow them to fend for themselves, while also trying to offset the costs of living for his family.
Throughout the years, amidst the housing crisis and inflation that has skyrocketed over 4% in the Canadian market, Ryan’s ideals have remained the same, which is relevant more than ever: With economic fluctuations across the globe, every child needs to learn hands-on and practical skills to sustain themselves.
As most reports suggest, the rapid increase in the Canadian cost of living leaves most Canadians in the open. Statistics Canada says the national average inflation is stuck at 3.8%. It is expected to remain so in 2024, with food inflation at 7.8% year over year along with a 5.4% increase in the cost of housing.
This nasty economy has seen many trends and research throughout the world in recent years and thus the trend to look for ways to reduce costs and brace oneself for the storms has increased significantly. Practicing hands-on skills like auto repair, in this case, his daughters will not only allow them not to waste money but also provide them with the skills to perform in a world where such skills could retain the security of society.
A Continually Emerging Resourcefulness
It is not just Gerritsen that has this self-help mentality. He is a key member of a growing movement that encourages self-help that Canadian families adopt. For example, the average auto repair costs in Canada now hover close to four hundred dollars, and many people are opting to fix their cars rather than visit a garage.
“Yesterday I changed the oil, burned brakes, and kicked snow tires on cars, among many other duties that the average Canadian can afford to pay someone else to do,” Gerritsen tweeted. “Now these are things I start to rehearse with my three girls.”
Ryan Gerritsen
Many Canadians joined the debate and recounted anecdotes of accomplishing such repairs themselves and being able to fend for themselves in other ways too. With the constant rise of bare necessities, it was revealed in a survey conducted by the Bank of Montreal in 2023 that approximately forty-five percent of Canadians had been forced to learn the art of cooking at home, thirty percent became self-sufficient in the cultivation of food, while twenty-eight percent of Canadians set about doing repairs on their homes themselves.
While Gerritsen specializes in auto repairs, others are going through the same procedure of equipping their families with new and relevant skills. Another Canadian, Johnny Seabass, decided to go a step further and took to Twitter to explain how growing and canning vegetables to store them and reduce utility bills was the best way to deal with high grocery prices. Seabass stated:
This is a great post idea and we should all contribute ideas, here are mine:
— Johnny Seabass (@PopeSeabass) November 24, 2024
Have an honest look at your backyard – how much of it do you actually use?
I built several planting beds in my BY this year and the yield saved a lot of money.
Double that up with canning. Stocking up…
This shift towards food self-sufficiency has been picking up pace with an Ipsos poll in 2024 stating that 1 in 3 Canadians are now looking to grow some of their food on their own.
Another Gerritsen follower expressed the same opinion:
And moms can play a big part by teaching kids how to iron, sew on buttons, laundry, meal planning, shopping & preparation, how to freeze / can food, how to clean a house properly. These are life skills young people need when they move out on their own.
— Antique Great Grandma (@woodieswoodies1) November 24, 2024
This feeling reaffirms the practical dynamics where there is a hands-on approach to the learning that is slowly, but steadily replacing the theoretical methodologies in most homes in Canada.
The Importance of Practical Experience and Knowledge Passed Down Generations
Gerritsen regards a hands-on approach to life skills as an investment for his daughters so that they may be robust and able to excel in an unpredictable world. He considers the hands-on aspect of learning that includes activities such as changing tires or fixing minor problems and is an approach being embraced more and more by young Canadian households. This ‘do it yourself’ approach is great for today’s parents who are looking for ways to help their children cope with the unpredictable job market and abnormally high living expenses.
A growing number of parents like Gerritsen are challenging the orthodoxy especially with regards to higher education when average tuition fees have increased by 5.6% in just about a year. Instead of wasting thousands on getting a vehicle repaired or paying an exorbitant service fee, parents are imparting skills to their children that they can use in their various life stages and careers.
Another Canadian mom Brenda PE replied to Gerritsen’s post:
I taught my son how to use power tools, basic carpentry, mix and place concrete and how to do a good paint job on a room. Basic handyman skills are essential to everyone. Saves a lot of money!
— Brenda PE (@BrendaPEngL5) November 25, 2024
This shift for many, resonates with a certain overarching theme of self-sufficiency. For Canadians, it is about finding ways to be more self-sufficient and take charge of their financial roles in an uncertain economy.
Skills and Empowerment Lets Us Build The Future
Inflation never seems to stop and with it, the demand for hands-on experience combined with the ability to attain financial freedom is at its highest level. In Canada, what used to take $100-200 to carry out basic repairs only, has grown by over 12% in the last five years and even similar spending on groceries has gone up by 14%. In this situation, the idea of learning how to do simple tasks that such households have taken for granted pops up as a means of survival for many families.
A financial obligation is one thing, but as Gerritsen believes, it doesn’t mean that his daughters are dependent on others – both are being taught and trained by him on how to deal with various situations on their own. By teaching his daughters this, he’s not only teaching them to be more resourceful with money but also how to aspire to be successful in everything that they do.
Emphasizing this transition, one of Gerritsen’s followers tweeted:
Marrying a fix it man was one of my best life choices. I can fix things myself because I have a fix it man for a dad and he taught me well, but having a partner to do the things that are a struggle for me is such a win.
— Krystal (@FeralFawcett8) November 24, 2024
I make the house a home but he keeps the house a house…
Such feelings are best described as the basic need to teach future generations these skills, be it car fixing, house maintenance, or even farming.
Another Canadian impaired with the pain of the cost of living doused over the hope of savings:
Awesome! Exact same story. I have saved tens of thousands of dollars by learning to repair and maintain my vehicles. So rewarding and important to teach your kids.
— Rod Kellner (@KellnerRod) November 24, 2024
The response illustrates how the community approach of Gerritsen’s is embracing the cause of educating practical subjects, while practically demonstrated by many across Canada on various social networks.
With Ryan Gerritsen’s story at the back of their minds, the youth in Canada can teach important values packed within everyday skills that will help the country’s future generation. Not surprisingly, there is a shift in thinking as self-sufficiency is seen as a way to prepare the next generation for anything life throws at their way Karen believes:
What a fantastic idea. All parents should teach their children these things. Kids should also learn to cook and clean. AND how to manage money, do budgets, etc.
— Karen (@kmcinnes2) November 25, 2024
Rising Above Inflation: The Lifeline of Self-Sufficiency
As the fathers of tomorrow’s generation like Ryan Gerritsen take the lead and encourage their children to learn meaningful skills such as handicrafts or sewing, more and more families view these challenges as a necessity rather than an option. As the trend of rising inflation begins to take hold on Canadian families, the trend of such activities is more than just a trend, it’s become a necessary part of the lives of everyday families.
Last Updated on by Icy Canada Team
