What would you do?

After I get home from work, I make it well known to people (family and friends alike) that I don't enjoy, nor feel like, working on computers after doing it for 8+ hours/day.
My Dad seems to ignore this simple request of peace and quiet, and keeps asking me for favors..."My system needs upgrading", or, "When I have a few bucks put aside I'd like you to build me a new system". Constant hints for "favors" are starting to drive me insane!!
I have a real hard time saying no to him, but find myself not wanting to talk to him for fear of him asking the dreaded PC questions. His PC is severely outdated (its only a P1), but he doesn't need more power to play games at Pogo!
How would you all handle something like this? I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I need my quiet time too.
:( :( :( :( :(

Personally, I'm willing to go a little out of my way for family members. I just make it known that it will be on my terms, when I have the time, but do try to get to it reasonably quickly. It sounds to me like upgrading him might actually get him off your back a bit.....

[quote]Originally posted by Sunshine:
<strong>After I get home from work, I make it well known to people (family and friends alike) that I don't enjoy, nor feel like, working on computers after doing it for 8+ hours/day.
My Dad seems to ignore this simple request of peace and quiet, and keeps asking me for favors..."My system needs upgrading", or, "When I have a few bucks put aside I'd like you to build me a new system". Constant hints for "favors" are starting to drive me insane!!
I have a real hard time saying no to him, but find myself not wanting to talk to him for fear of him asking the dreaded PC questions. His PC is severely outdated (its only a P1), but he doesn't need more power to play games at Pogo!
How would you all handle something like this? I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I need my quiet time too.
:( :( :( :( :( </strong><hr></blockquote>


well I look at it this way,

did'nt your dad change your diapers,buy you everything you needed to grow up,feed you,put up with your crying as an infant,take you to school,buy you toys,love you,help you,put up with your silly questions?

did'nt you ask him for "favors"?

for what,atleast 12 or 15 years? or longer?
I am sure your dad has "put up" with alot from you over the years,maybe you could return that now,and just "put up" with a little sillyness from him.
__________________________________________

what I would do is just be honest with him,tell him that when you come home from work,you need some time to yourself.

but that you love him and will be happy to help or talk to him after you settle in from your day.

and for goodness sakes,update his pc for him! lol

just my .02 ,I am the father of a 9 and 11 year old,maybe we look at it differently when we become parents and see it from both sides.

have a great day.. :) Dan

I know how you feel, I feel the same way, and my dad does the same thing. I do it but tell hem when I have time. So ill do it over the week end makes it eaiser.

Oh, I totally agree with everything ya'll have said!! I guess, the only thing that really bothers me about it, is that he doesn't know when to slow down asking. My Mom is using one of my spare PCs, and I've rebuilt Dad's at least 4 times in 3ish years. (added parts here and there, reinstallations, etc.) My Dad's one of those guys who, if you give him something for free, you've become his best buddy and he'll hover around, being a slight pain in the tushy, on the slight chance he may get something else for free. The last time I worked on his PC, all I asked for was a 6 of beer for all the times I've redone his machine, which I never saw.
I know his asking will never stop, and honestly, I'd be worried if it did! I only wish I could have a conversation, or a visit, without the PC questions popping up. (my brother is just as bad as Dad with the questions)
Do you guys have any special way of venting your frustration at constantly being asked? How do you handle it??

Just to say:
You folks here are the best! Thanks for putting up with my silly little rant & whining. And thank you very much just for listening and for any advice you may have to offer.

May a little ray of sunshine brighten your day for you! :cool:

Yah, I take mine to the retail shop with his credit card, load up the trolly, give him a rough estimate of what he has spent after carefully showing him the best stuff around, (which he has to have). He rapidly puts it all back and we go for a nice lunch on him somewhere.

Works everytime!

[quote]Originally posted by Sunshine:
<strong>
Do you guys have any special way of venting your frustration at constantly being asked? How do you handle it??</strong><hr></blockquote>


again,the best thing to do is be honest with your dad and brother,just tell them how you feel.

NooNoo:
My luck he'd ask me to borrow xhundred dollars!! :rolleyes:

Thanks for all your responses...it's very much appreciated! Guess I'll just mention it to them again and hope for the best.

Thanks again gang...

[quote]Originally posted by Sunshine:
<strong>...Do you guys have any special way of venting your frustration at constantly being asked? How do you handle it??</strong><hr></blockquote>

Caller display and Quake3 :D

Seriously, I think the advice already given here is sufficient.

Tell your dad, or any other "vip" clients, that you can't spare the time to work on all the projects they have in mind. Schedule them in like any other client and treat them nice when you do have time for them.

My father's currently purchasing a used PII and I can already tell I'm going to be sollicited for a few things. :rolleyes:

But he's my dad, who has gotten up before dawn for over 30 years to provide for his 4 boys, and there's no way I can repay that, and I'll help him out in any way I can.

In regards to not talking about computers when your with your dad, it is almost going to be impossible. Since this is what you do for a living there will always be that "hey how is work going?" question. And if technology interests the both of you, computers will always end up being brought up.

As far as helping him out. For what he wants you to do, it really can't take that much time. I understand you probably don't have lots of time, but, after it is done you will feel good seeing the smile on your dad's face when you hand him a fixed or updated computer.

Well...there are 2 things I can honestly say about my family:
1 - I love them dearly
2 - The computer questions will never stop

Guess I'll just resign myself to that fact and bite the bullet. I suppose I'll have to try some game of mass destruction as suggested! :D

Thanks to all who tried to make my life a tad bit easier! It felt good to whine for a while.

nobody really asks me for help, i will help them sometimes but usually it slips my mind and they know im forgetful so they dont get pissed about it.

hell i just found out that my sisters birthday is today....or tomarow

hmmmm not sure

Move 950 miles away! HA!

My Dad went through a few years like that but now he's computer savvy. You just need to spend some time with him and wipe his drive a couple times. When he has to set all his favorite programs and setting up from scratch he'll learn not to run those attachments (my Dad did this.)

As for friends, I help them out for a bit but, if they insist on calling you at odd hours and expect you to come over and work on their stuff for free all the time then they're not really your friend. When this happens, one easy way to prevent it from happening again is to say "man, I don't know what the problem is, do you have the restore disks that came with it?"

[quote]Originally posted by iateyourcat:
<strong>...one easy way to prevent it from happening again is to say "man, I don't know what the problem is, do you have the restore disks that came with it?"</strong><hr></blockquote>

LOL :D

BTW, Sunshine, I'll be on Milenko's WinDrivers Q3 server at quake3.king-nerd.com tonight, if you need a "therapy session" :p