I came from a long line of farmers and carpenters/cabinet makers (many did both for a living including my dad). In addition to my parents, I grew up with grandparents and uncles/aunts, all working together on two different farms. If you know anything about farmers you know they are jack-of-all-trades: mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, electricians welders, hunters, fisherman, animal husbandry, vegetable and fruit experts, businessman, food preservers, cooks, and the list goes on and on. Basically, you don't pay people to do things you can do yourself. So, in addition to learning and doing all the above, you learn to be a self starter, self educator, and have a keen sense of self reliance; those are the perks I learned from my parents and extended family. Of course, I didn't realize any of that as a young man. Oh, I was happy to have access to all the tools and shops/barns, and knowledge, ( and I took all that for granted when I was a kid
) but I didn't want their life. I wanted to do something different, so I went to college and got into high tech, but the lessons I had learned from my childhood served me well there. Except for the fact that I have the DIY sickness! I do everything myself so it's done right. Consequently, I have too many irons in too many fires...hahah. Someday I'll catch up, I swear