Spot on advice for parents of any age, and grandparents-coming from a father of three. We have two teachers and a PhD teacher/researcher and I think my wife read to/with them until they were in high school:) If you teach them how to use hand tools, the phone goes away. If you teach them manners, the phone goes away. If you teach them to paddle, the phone goes away. Play board and card games to enhance lessons of conversation, fairness, and how to lose/win. Gratitude and compassion are big winners too. Thanks for the reminder. All lessons apply at any age.
Thank you for sharing your advice. I completely agree. I’m a little worried about/ intrigued by what Levi’s version of a “phone” will be when he reaches that age.
Nick, My name is Eric and I have the great fortune of being the new director of the WoodenBoat School, part of WoodenBoat magazine here in Brooklin, Maine. Love the recommended reading!
If you are ever up this way feel free to reach out for a visit. I've been enjoying the Donkey thoughts!!
Wow, hello Eric, and thank you kindly! I have been a huge fan and student of your publication and school for a couple of decades, and by gum I'll bother you as soon as I can navigate my way there.
Hey Eric, I grew up a few towns over in Penobscot. Such a beautiful part of Maine. Congratulations on your new position! I remember driving past the Wooden Boat School as a kid and being confused because I thought it was a weird name for an elementary school. Guess I wasn’t the brightest bulb. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to attend a class at some point. Cheers!
Thank you, dear Captain, for hoisting our sails and heading us into meaningful waters. You point to significant features of the landscape ~ manners ~ Mainers ~ a book with boaty-know-how anchored in the same Maine town where EB White wrote about a spider's web ~ and you've even provided a soundtrack for us. It's a good message: 'one way out of a hole' is to let the "islands of our minds" go for a swim in the oceans of our hearts.
Like Charlotte, you model compassion by writing words that encourage us to develop our best qualities. You invite dialogue and spin new webs for us to read. As serendipity would have it, I raised my daughter in Maine, where I taught writing and theatre arts. I'm now in California, but, for the past 5 summers, my daughter has taught knot tying, canoeing, and comedy sketch writing/performance at one of the oldest summer camps in Maine.
Thanks for the navigation, the connection, and the affirmation.
Many, many thanks to you for sharing your advice with me. I agree with all of it. Some of my favorite moments over the past 5 months have involved either reading or singing to Levi. Additionally, my father and I are currently gathering supplies to build the chest of drawers in Mike Pekovich’s “The Why and How of Woodworking” for Levi to use for his clothes as he ages. I look forward to reading Mr. Gardner’s tome and I think a wooden boat would be an excellent project for me and Levi when he is older. Unrelated, but I built the kazoo from “Good Clean Fun” for my nephew’s birthday last year. I don’t know if Brendan had ever seen a plastic kazoo so he was a bit confused, but I felt proud to be giving him a personalized, handmade gift.
Again, thank you for taking the time to answer my query. And, thank you, friends, to the additional advice in these comments. This is a beautiful online community we have here.
Just as a postscript, I listened to the episode of On Being that was mentioned, as well as the song by Cloud Cult, and all I can say is “Wow”. I can’t imagine experiencing the kind of loss that Craig and his wife experienced. The closest thing I’ve experienced was when my wife and I lost our first pregnancy to miscarriage. This was at the start of the pandemic and I, too, became very angry at God. Sitting in the doctors office, waiting for the ultrasound tech to get everything set up, I found myself praying for the first time in years. I just wanted to hear the heartbeat. That was all. When there was nothing but silence I felt like I had been stabbed in the back. I didn’t think I would find hope again. I was ready to give up on having children altogether when my wife told me she was pregnant with Levi. 9 months later, I learned that God has a sense of humor because my beautiful baby boy came into this world with a full bladder and my favorite sweatshirt was his diaper of choice. The nurse told me that was considered good luck.
Thank you Nick for the beautiful video. I don't have a question, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your general existence on this planet. From the first time my daughter told me about Parks & Rec and said "Nick Offerman - a man's man" to every one of your books to your stand up and everything I have seen/heard you in - you have made my life more joyful. I hope Megan appreciates what a gift she has in you! Best, Susan from NJ
Nice to see you, sir! Not that it's any of my business, and likely it's dictated by your current job, but I miss your beard. For my own selfish enjoyment, I hope it returns soon. Your current clean-cut look, however, combined with the aesthetic of your collar reminds me of Star Trek uniforms. Sadly, you're closest to the color red, which likely means you're going to die first. Don't let them send you down there, wherever there is, is what I'm saying.
Anyway, that brings me to my question for today. Are you Team Star Trek or Team Star Wars?
The one handed bowline saved me on a stormy boat delivery coming back from Mexico when my safety harness shackle broke. Thanks to my dad - I knew a few things.
I grew up with a book called The Boy Mechanic. It was my dad’s book as a kid. I spent quite a bit of time learning hitches and splices, making forts along with carving skills. The book can be found on eBay. As a girl, I figured it was for me as well. Beautiful book. I was a teacher for 23 years and I cannot agree more regarding manners and civility. I had to teach Grace and Courtesy as part of the Montessori curriculum. Kids loved it by the way.
Even if you’re not a father, you’re doling out excellent advice. I only wish my father pushed me more to learn a trade (which can’t be replaced by AI).
Spot on advice for parents of any age, and grandparents-coming from a father of three. We have two teachers and a PhD teacher/researcher and I think my wife read to/with them until they were in high school:) If you teach them how to use hand tools, the phone goes away. If you teach them manners, the phone goes away. If you teach them to paddle, the phone goes away. Play board and card games to enhance lessons of conversation, fairness, and how to lose/win. Gratitude and compassion are big winners too. Thanks for the reminder. All lessons apply at any age.
David,
Thank you for sharing your advice. I completely agree. I’m a little worried about/ intrigued by what Levi’s version of a “phone” will be when he reaches that age.
All the best,
Adam
Nick, My name is Eric and I have the great fortune of being the new director of the WoodenBoat School, part of WoodenBoat magazine here in Brooklin, Maine. Love the recommended reading!
If you are ever up this way feel free to reach out for a visit. I've been enjoying the Donkey thoughts!!
Wow, hello Eric, and thank you kindly! I have been a huge fan and student of your publication and school for a couple of decades, and by gum I'll bother you as soon as I can navigate my way there.
That would be a fun visit! Eric, love the publication and the school. Keep up the good work!
Hey Eric, I grew up a few towns over in Penobscot. Such a beautiful part of Maine. Congratulations on your new position! I remember driving past the Wooden Boat School as a kid and being confused because I thought it was a weird name for an elementary school. Guess I wasn’t the brightest bulb. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to attend a class at some point. Cheers!
Thank you, dear Captain, for hoisting our sails and heading us into meaningful waters. You point to significant features of the landscape ~ manners ~ Mainers ~ a book with boaty-know-how anchored in the same Maine town where EB White wrote about a spider's web ~ and you've even provided a soundtrack for us. It's a good message: 'one way out of a hole' is to let the "islands of our minds" go for a swim in the oceans of our hearts.
Like Charlotte, you model compassion by writing words that encourage us to develop our best qualities. You invite dialogue and spin new webs for us to read. As serendipity would have it, I raised my daughter in Maine, where I taught writing and theatre arts. I'm now in California, but, for the past 5 summers, my daughter has taught knot tying, canoeing, and comedy sketch writing/performance at one of the oldest summer camps in Maine.
Thanks for the navigation, the connection, and the affirmation.
Nick,
Many, many thanks to you for sharing your advice with me. I agree with all of it. Some of my favorite moments over the past 5 months have involved either reading or singing to Levi. Additionally, my father and I are currently gathering supplies to build the chest of drawers in Mike Pekovich’s “The Why and How of Woodworking” for Levi to use for his clothes as he ages. I look forward to reading Mr. Gardner’s tome and I think a wooden boat would be an excellent project for me and Levi when he is older. Unrelated, but I built the kazoo from “Good Clean Fun” for my nephew’s birthday last year. I don’t know if Brendan had ever seen a plastic kazoo so he was a bit confused, but I felt proud to be giving him a personalized, handmade gift.
Again, thank you for taking the time to answer my query. And, thank you, friends, to the additional advice in these comments. This is a beautiful online community we have here.
Love to you all,
Adam
Just as a postscript, I listened to the episode of On Being that was mentioned, as well as the song by Cloud Cult, and all I can say is “Wow”. I can’t imagine experiencing the kind of loss that Craig and his wife experienced. The closest thing I’ve experienced was when my wife and I lost our first pregnancy to miscarriage. This was at the start of the pandemic and I, too, became very angry at God. Sitting in the doctors office, waiting for the ultrasound tech to get everything set up, I found myself praying for the first time in years. I just wanted to hear the heartbeat. That was all. When there was nothing but silence I felt like I had been stabbed in the back. I didn’t think I would find hope again. I was ready to give up on having children altogether when my wife told me she was pregnant with Levi. 9 months later, I learned that God has a sense of humor because my beautiful baby boy came into this world with a full bladder and my favorite sweatshirt was his diaper of choice. The nurse told me that was considered good luck.
Cheers,
Adam
Adam, thanks for sharing this powerful, personal anecdote. I'm grateful that it had a happy, if pungent, ending.
Thank you Nick for the beautiful video. I don't have a question, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your general existence on this planet. From the first time my daughter told me about Parks & Rec and said "Nick Offerman - a man's man" to every one of your books to your stand up and everything I have seen/heard you in - you have made my life more joyful. I hope Megan appreciates what a gift she has in you! Best, Susan from NJ
Nice to see you, sir! Not that it's any of my business, and likely it's dictated by your current job, but I miss your beard. For my own selfish enjoyment, I hope it returns soon. Your current clean-cut look, however, combined with the aesthetic of your collar reminds me of Star Trek uniforms. Sadly, you're closest to the color red, which likely means you're going to die first. Don't let them send you down there, wherever there is, is what I'm saying.
Anyway, that brings me to my question for today. Are you Team Star Trek or Team Star Wars?
Good luck with your work! Asha (Ithaca, NY)
What wonderful advice!
The one handed bowline saved me on a stormy boat delivery coming back from Mexico when my safety harness shackle broke. Thanks to my dad - I knew a few things.
I grew up with a book called The Boy Mechanic. It was my dad’s book as a kid. I spent quite a bit of time learning hitches and splices, making forts along with carving skills. The book can be found on eBay. As a girl, I figured it was for me as well. Beautiful book. I was a teacher for 23 years and I cannot agree more regarding manners and civility. I had to teach Grace and Courtesy as part of the Montessori curriculum. Kids loved it by the way.
“My best advice to anyone who wants to raise a happy, mentally healthy child is : Keep him or her as far away from the church as you can.”
-Frank Zappa
Please come back to substack
I was truly blessed with seven children
Scary w/o a mustache
Even if you’re not a father, you’re doling out excellent advice. I only wish my father pushed me more to learn a trade (which can’t be replaced by AI).
Your shirt and hair cut make you seem like you’re one of the Star Trek crew. Perhaps captain Kirk’s nephew.
Anyway I appreciate your voice and values.
You’re giving good advice to a young father. I recommend Flotsam and Jetsam by Robb White.
“…should I ever stumble across some offspring.” This has to be one of the greatest lines about having children.
I wish I could go back in time.