What a lovely story! but also holy inflation batman! Those same items come out to $96.41 + tax at home depot now. (Although the smallest number of spindles I could get was 7)

    | Item            |  SKU      | Price   |  
    =========================================
    | 5/4x6x8 Board   | 100046735 |  $11.78 |
    | 7x Spindles     | 204837019 |  $36.73 |
    | 3M Duct tape    | 334720088 |  $ 7.98 |
    | 2x Paint Brush  | 203233251 |  $ 5.96 |
    | 1Qt Red paint   | 100209277 |  $16.98 |
    | 1Qt black paint | 100172539 |  $16.98 |
    =========================================

I encourage parents that I meet to do something like what the author of this post has done. These days, photos are ubiquitous. Curated memories in your voice are a rarified treasure.

My father encouraged me to journal, but I only really started when my kids were born. For many years now I have kept a private blog that tells the stories of their childhood. They're still young but have already read through it many times. Now, when we are on an adventure, they often remind me to jot something down in my notes to be added to the next entry.

Kid would be 26 now. Wonder what he's up to?

EDIT: electrician, then project manager apparently: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guynesin

Enjoying reading this, even the yeast. The hardware store trip in particular though was a bit much with the tug-on-the-apron of the worker who was in the middle of helping someone else. Dad missed an opportunity to teach about being polite and “waiting your turn” because he was so committed to the hands-off approach and the “entertainment” of it.

Related. Others?

A lesson on the importance of encouraging your children with their projects - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2757980 - July 2011 (103 comments)

I got to this point: My four-year-old wasn't showing me pictures, he was showing me blueprints.

And had to check the date, I swore this was an AI post at that point (to be fair I have been questioning if all text is AI these days)

Though at this point, unless AI is hacking way back machine results....I guess it's not AI ;)

This is such a good story. I remember reading it when my son was a toddler. It was one of the first times I started to internalize one of the most important parenting lessons I've learned being a Dad:

Never say 'no' to something unless there's an obvious safety issue.

Especially don't say 'no' just because you don't understand the request: that's the time to show them that you're curious about what they're thinking and give them practice explaining their reasoning in a safe and comfortable situation. Kids need freedom to explore their world.

Such a cute story. When I give my boy these moments of no-judgement free reign, he can surprise with such elaborate ideas and plans. It really gives me these moments of complete amazement of the human brain capabilities. I think that good parenting is mostly this struggle of keeping consistent boundries while holding on to the idea that they learn most when they try themself.

Such a great story and almost impossible to try and read on a phone but I made it to the end. Memories for a lifetime time Dad.

taking time to document experiences is a gift to your future self

The kid had a plan all along. His dad just took a while to catch on. Glad he rolled with it. Could've easilly ended with buiyng some tape and heading home.

> Why didn't he just say so before?

Well, you never asked, remember? :-/

The image credits at the end made it even better.

Thats a world class 4 year old! Even the lettering... really great

I cannot wait for my sister's kid to grow up a little so I can take him on these sort of trips!

my wife and I have this note in our notes, which has all the interesting things our son has said since he could talk. Its one of my most cherished things. every single entry brings back a memory.

Improv class made me a better dad. Whatever a kid proposes, the answer is "yes", if you can possibly make it that.

This is an excellent share :-)

Wait, so who built the table?

I need to get my shit together. This seems incredible. I'm not putting a little one in the shit show I call my life though.

This guy is a really good dad. Excellent story too.

If I was gonna tape wood I'd use cloth strips and silicone caulk. Make my own tape that way.