--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was little, I would open up…" description: "\"When I was little, I would open up lawnmowers and try to make them go faster. I wasn't strong enough to do some things, so I'd wait for my dad to get h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/guy-martin-7901_dad_when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmo_1498533.jpg" --- # When I was little, I would open up lawnmowers and try to… ![“When I was little, I would open up lawnmowers and try to make them go faster. I wasn't strong enough to do some things, so I'd wait for my dad to get home from work to help me. He was great, but he never really encouraged me, and I'll be the same if I have kids: I'll leave them to do their own…” quote by Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/guy-martin-7901_dad_when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmo_1498533.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/guy-martin-7901_dad_when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmo_1498533.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/guy-martin-7901_dad_when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmo_1498533.jpg) > “When I was little, I would open up lawnmowers and try to make them go faster. I wasn't strong enough to do some things, so I'd wait for my dad to get home from work to help me. He was great, but he never really encouraged me, and I'll be the same if I have kids: I'll leave them to do their own thing.” [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early tinkering shows curiosity but lack of guidance can foster independence, yet may miss encouragement. **In simple terms:** Kids explore alone. Key Takeaway Balance guidance with independence. Themes curiosity independence parenting Mood thoughtful practical Type advice personal growth When to use this quote - home workshops - DIY projects - parent‑child learning Key Concepts developmental psychology self‑directed learning Questions to Reflect On - How can parents support exploration without over‑directing? - What lessons did you learn from self‑reliance? A Different Perspective Risk of neglecting encouragement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Home From Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home-from-work/) [Home Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home-work/) [Make Faster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-faster-964312/) [Open Lawnmowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-lawnmowers-5487817/) [Strong enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-enough/) [Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try/) [Wait Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wait-dad-4608836/) [Wasn Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasn-strong-287556/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [All I was trying to do was get home from work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosa-parks/all-i-was-trying-to-do-was-get-home-from-work/) [Rosa Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosa-parks/) > [“As a housewife, I feel that if the kids are alive when my husband gets home from work, then hey, I've done my job”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/as-a-housewife-i-feel-that-if-the-kids-are-alive-when-my-husband-gets/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [I've never seen my dad come home from work and not walk straight to my mom and ask her about her day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-young/i-ve-never-seen-my-dad-come-home-from-work-and-not-walk-straight-to/) [Brett Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-young/) > [All I was doing was trying to get home from work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosa-parks/all-i-was-doing-was-trying-to-get-home-from-work/) [Rosa Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosa-parks/) > [You Don't Have to Go Home from Work Exhausted!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cooper/you-don-t-have-to-go-home-from-work-exhausted/) [Alan Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cooper/) > [Sometimes I would go home from work and just stare at the wall for a couple of hours. But, I can't complain. Whatever knocks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-rabe/sometimes-i-would-go-home-from-work-and-just-stare-at-the-wall-for-a/) [Lily Rabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-rabe/) > [As a housewife, I feel that if the kids are still alive when my husband gets home from work, then hey, I've done my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/as-a-housewife-i-feel-that-if-the-kids-are-still-alive-when-my/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [“I figure when my husband comes home from work, if the kids are still alive, then I've done my job.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/i-figure-when-my-husband-comes-home-from-work-if-the-kids-are-still/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [To be honest, I can't wait to be a dad. I really hope that that's how the cookie crumbles for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-neff/to-be-honest-i-can-t-wait-to-be-a-dad-i-really-hope-that-that-s-how/) [Lucas Neff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-neff/) > [“I wait for my dad to walk away before pulling back the covers and getting out of bed. Not exactly a Hallmark father-daughter moment. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alecia-whitaker/i-wait-for-my-dad-to-walk-away-before-pulling-back-the-covers-and/) [Alecia Whitaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alecia-whitaker/) > [I want to make it faster than anyone has ever made it before. I'd like to be a legend by the time I'm 25](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-darin/i-want-to-make-it-faster-than-anyone-has-ever-made-it-before-i-d-like/) [Bobby Darin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-darin/) > [All these nice people saying I'm going to be world champion won't make me any faster, you have to believe it yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-vettel/all-these-nice-people-saying-i-m-going-to-be-world-champion-won-t/) [Sebastian Vettel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-vettel/) > [Even when there's a lot going on behind the scenes, as soon as I get to the track on a Thursday, I always try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-russell/even-when-there-s-a-lot-going-on-behind-the-scenes-as-soon-as-i-get/) [George Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-russell/) > [You become faster because you learn how to work with the team better, how to get more out of your car, from the technical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-russell/you-become-faster-because-you-learn-how-to-work-with-the-team-better/) [George Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-russell/) > [I want to do everything possible that will make me go faster because ultimately I'm a racing driver and that's what we're here to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-russell/i-want-to-do-everything-possible-that-will-make-me-go-faster-because/) [George Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-russell/) ## More by Guy Martin > [Dentists, doctors, surveyors from Latvia wanted to come to England, do anything to get away from the Soviet regime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/dentists-doctors-surveyors-from-latvia-wanted-to-come-to-england-do/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [There's no more expensive sport than racing bloody motorbikes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/there-s-no-more-expensive-sport-than-racing-bloody-motorbikes/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [I've always had a proper job. I don't know anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/i-ve-always-had-a-proper-job-i-don-t-know-anything-else/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [My idea of splashing out would be buying a new spanner. I've got about 300 - you can't have too many in my opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/my-idea-of-splashing-out-would-be-buying-a-new-spanner-i-ve-got-about/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [I don't go to racers' funerals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/i-don-t-go-to-racers-funerals/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [Road racing has given me a good life, and I'm not being cocky, but I've brought something to racing, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/road-racing-has-given-me-a-good-life-and-i-m-not-being-cocky-but-i-ve/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [I like films, but I can't sit still for very long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/i-like-films-but-i-can-t-sit-still-for-very-long/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [They don't call it the Wall of Death for nothing. The biggest risk is crashing off the top. That's when it gets really messy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/they-don-t-call-it-the-wall-of-death-for-nothing-the-biggest-risk-is/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [The idea for the 'Speed' series was to break the record for the fastest push bike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/the-idea-for-the-speed-series-was-to-break-the-record-for-the-fastest/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [I was working for Martin Finnegan. He was my best mate in racing. I went to his wedding in November 2007. No-one else from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/i-was-working-for-martin-finnegan-he-was-my-best-mate-in-racing-i/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [Going back because it's what I did and I was sort of all right at it is not a good reason to race the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/going-back-because-it-s-what-i-did-and-i-was-sort-of-all-right-at-it/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [I race pushbikes more than I race motorbikes, but it's not the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/i-race-pushbikes-more-than-i-race-motorbikes-but-it-s-not-the-same/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [I'm big into the Stone Roses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/i-m-big-into-the-stone-roses/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [Short-circuit racing is full of health and safety, but the reason I ride a motorbike is because of the danger, and there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/short-circuit-racing-is-full-of-health-and-safety-but-the-reason-i/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) > [Pike's Peak was the single best thing I've ever done in motorbiking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/pike-s-peak-was-the-single-best-thing-i-ve-ever-done-in-motorbiking/) [Guy Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) [Explore all 86 Guy Martin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/) ## More Dad quotes > [Grandma, please. It’s okay. Dad’s doing a great job. I give him kudos for at least being calm and rational, and not losing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/grandma-please-it-s-okay-dad-s-doing-a-great-job-i-give-him-kudos-for/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [As a family, we all loved the Flyers. To me, rooting for the Flyers were how I bonded with my dad especially.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-f-goldberg/as-a-family-we-all-loved-the-flyers-to-me-rooting-for-the-flyers-were/) [Adam F. Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-f-goldberg/) > [My greatest memories as a kid were playing sports with my dad and watching sports with my dad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-teixeira/my-greatest-memories-as-a-kid-were-playing-sports-with-my-dad-and/) [Mark Teixeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-teixeira/) > [Here I am, 11 years old, and these grown men have to give it everything they have to beat me. In one part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karch-kiraly/here-i-am-11-years-old-and-these-grown-men-have-to-give-it-everything/) [Karch Kiraly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karch-kiraly/) > [I always remember what my dad told me when I decided to turn into an actor. He was emphatic that whatever I do, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthi/i-always-remember-what-my-dad-told-me-when-i-decided-to-turn-into-an/) [Karthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthi/) > [My mom and dad had the relationship that I want, and they were teammates. They were always equal 50/50.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-kufrin/my-mom-and-dad-had-the-relationship-that-i-want-and-they-were/) [Becca Kufrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-kufrin/) > [The child who ran weeping to you with a cut finger is now brought home, smiling gamely, with a broken collarbone and incredible contusions-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-brown/the-child-who-ran-weeping-to-you-with-a-cut-finger-is-now-brought/) [Pam Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-brown/) > [My father was the role model I looked up. My dad was an entertainer, too. I patterned my life after him. He wanted me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/my-father-was-the-role-model-i-looked-up-my-dad-was-an-entertainer/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) > [I saw this anti-drug commercial that showed a kid smoking pot in his dad's room with his friend. This kid finds a gun, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/i-saw-this-anti-drug-commercial-that-showed-a-kid-smoking-pot-in-his/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [It's something he used to say when he was happy. It could be a very, very simple day. We might be sitting out on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-grant/it-s-something-he-used-to-say-when-he-was-happy-it-could-be-a-very/) [Jennifer Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-grant/) > [I talk to my dad all the time, he's more like my buddy than my father, and he's not happy that I use him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-spade/i-talk-to-my-dad-all-the-time-he-s-more-like-my-buddy-than-my-father/) [David Spade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-spade/) > [This week I realized my dad will make you cry in the store if you make him mad. Also when your crossing the street…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-week-i-realized-my-dad-will-make-you-cry-in-the-store-if-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was just putting way too much pressure on myself. I was just trying to get that validation from my dad. It got so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-griffey-jr/i-was-just-putting-way-too-much-pressure-on-myself-i-was-just-trying/) [Ken Griffey Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-griffey-jr/) > [Some article called me the most feared man in Silicon Valley. Good Lord! Why? My teenage boys got a kick out of it: 'Dad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/some-article-called-me-the-most-feared-man-in-silicon-valley-good/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) [Browse all 9,737 Dad quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was little, I would open up lawnmowers and try to make them go faster. I wasn't strong enough to do some things, so I'd wait for my dad to get home from work to help me. He was great, but he never really encouraged me, and I'll be the same if I have kids: I'll leave them to do their own thing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Guy Martin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmowers-and-try-to-make-them-go/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dad" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmowers-and-try-to-make-them-go/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/guy-martin-7901_dad_when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmo_1498533.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/guy-martin-7901_dad_when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmo_1498533.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/guy-martin-7901_dad_when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmo_1498533.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was little, I would open up lawnmowers and try to make them go faster. I wasn't strong enough to do…” — Guy Martin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Guy Martin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-martin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I was little, I would...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmowers-and-try-to-make-them-go/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-martin/when-i-was-little-i-would-open-up-lawnmowers-and-try-to-make-them-go/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```