Great premise. I’m torn between the advice on boiling and caring. I think the answer’s carefully boiling them.
Since I’m childfree and talkative, I’ll throw in: gently media train them. It’s much less of a hassle than explaining that the Earth’s core isn’t full of lizardmen plotting to tank birthrates.
Bit late to the peeling debate, but I had a colleague who used to snap his bananas in half, reasoning that he never wanted a full banana, and by snapping them (he was really good at it, I've got a video) he then had half a banana still in its skin for later.
(1) Enjoy your week off (2) I am considering stepping away from Substack to see whether it becomes more or less Social Media like so continued good luck and best wishes for your writing (3) Milan Kundera quote is fun -- a great author of import -- the best part is it was likely plucked from some sort of social media purpose-built to make the rando an expert and feel worthy to be listened to and share their lunch photos -- thunderous irony is fun (4) It must be a glorious thing to be Aharon -- his input (and insight) is sought multiple times, his age. location, or occupation is of no import and he may be referenced akin to Bono or Cher. The only question -- is it a nom de plume?
Love this. When they’re really young, the worst part about having kids is taking them to places where there are OPKs. Other People’s Kids are horrible.
Fun reading! My wife and I have three daughters, all grown now. They are all good people who still like us. I think that is the goal. Yes, we made plenty of mistakes. We are human. [I mostly followed my wife's example. She was an exceptionally wise parent.] Here is my two cents In hindsight.
Make sure they know you love them. Say it. Show it.
Set sensible boundaries and enforce them (there will tantrums and battles of will.) Pick your battles. Try not to loose your temper.
Train them to behave and be kind.
Remember, they are children, not adults. They will act immature at times.
Each child is an individual. What works for one will not necessarily work for another.
Encourage and allow them to become independent.
Let them play. Play with them. Enjoy them.
It will go faster than you can imagine. Enjoy every age and moment.
My mum always told me the piece of advice her (childfree) first boss gave her before she had kids: 'The best thing that you can do for your children is to make them socially acceptable to other people.' I wonder if I ever was? Socially acceptable to other people, I mean. 🤔
And Allen Farmelo, 53, cranky journalist? Respect!
Parenting Advice From Child-Free New Yorkers!
Great premise. I’m torn between the advice on boiling and caring. I think the answer’s carefully boiling them.
Since I’m childfree and talkative, I’ll throw in: gently media train them. It’s much less of a hassle than explaining that the Earth’s core isn’t full of lizardmen plotting to tank birthrates.
Still reeling from that Kundera quote
"When you stop seeing your kids as problems, they stop being problems.”
Classic no-kids parenting advice. Would love for you, my friend, to parent my kids for a day and see how that goes.
Bit late to the peeling debate, but I had a colleague who used to snap his bananas in half, reasoning that he never wanted a full banana, and by snapping them (he was really good at it, I've got a video) he then had half a banana still in its skin for later.
(1) Enjoy your week off (2) I am considering stepping away from Substack to see whether it becomes more or less Social Media like so continued good luck and best wishes for your writing (3) Milan Kundera quote is fun -- a great author of import -- the best part is it was likely plucked from some sort of social media purpose-built to make the rando an expert and feel worthy to be listened to and share their lunch photos -- thunderous irony is fun (4) It must be a glorious thing to be Aharon -- his input (and insight) is sought multiple times, his age. location, or occupation is of no import and he may be referenced akin to Bono or Cher. The only question -- is it a nom de plume?
Love this. When they’re really young, the worst part about having kids is taking them to places where there are OPKs. Other People’s Kids are horrible.
Hey Aharon, there is an answer to your question about what could go wrong if you give the baby a latte: Miami.
Fun reading! My wife and I have three daughters, all grown now. They are all good people who still like us. I think that is the goal. Yes, we made plenty of mistakes. We are human. [I mostly followed my wife's example. She was an exceptionally wise parent.] Here is my two cents In hindsight.
Make sure they know you love them. Say it. Show it.
Set sensible boundaries and enforce them (there will tantrums and battles of will.) Pick your battles. Try not to loose your temper.
Train them to behave and be kind.
Remember, they are children, not adults. They will act immature at times.
Each child is an individual. What works for one will not necessarily work for another.
Encourage and allow them to become independent.
Let them play. Play with them. Enjoy them.
It will go faster than you can imagine. Enjoy every age and moment.
You are making memories. Make good ones.
Work double shifts when they are teens. 🤣
Parenting is on the job training. Have fun.
"Care about them." YES YES YES.
My mum always told me the piece of advice her (childfree) first boss gave her before she had kids: 'The best thing that you can do for your children is to make them socially acceptable to other people.' I wonder if I ever was? Socially acceptable to other people, I mean. 🤔
And Allen Farmelo, 53, cranky journalist? Respect!
My favorite piece of advice was telling parents, "It's simple, really." 😂
I'm childfree by choice but I felt the rage of a thousand parents as if they were reading it over my shoulder ahaha!
“Care about them.” That one really got me.
"Let the baby have a latte. What could go wrong?" —Aharon
I think we should make this person our leader! 🤭
I am very worried about Evy’s dog…
Love your newsletter, Anne! Enjoy your mysterious and probably Top Secret time off!
Such a delightful collection of advice, and was so fun to draw!
the naked cowboys morning routine!!!
you have a way of diverting from the new stuff but i MUST see that first ugh and lol
good luck with ummm. dr.?
sincerely good wishes
Wait...no sarcasm??? What if I teach the kid how to be sarcastic? Yea that should work great