12 Comments

i think about child-rearing a lot. I wonder what is the best possible way to raise a child so that they become an optimal person. I probably shouldn't be treating it as a science and more of an art haha.

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In my experience as a parent, you are mostly transmitting yourself as Jared says- so the best way would be to try to be optimal yourself.

Children also come “with their own software”, it’s not a blank slate to pour whatever you want into. They are going to transmute whatever you transmit. Even more then, the need to give them good ingredients, and to hold your own plans for what they do with those ingredients as loosely as possible.

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Yes. They’re definitely preloaded, but you have some influence.

But, for example, if you’re always on your phone, don’t be surprised when your kid becomes an iPad kid!

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My now three year old is crazy for ‘Dawn’ by Vulf. The way they film is especially appealing to him. We are fairly anti-screen, but I like watching him watch musicians.

He also obsessed about playing the violin for 8 months — he grabbed his ukulele and a mini stick (hockey) and played it like a violin. He insisted he was “just like Tim,” a friend of mine. We’ve now rented a 1/16 size violin on a monthly basis.

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as a bass player I heartily approve of your son's taste in music and favorite song

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My oldest son’s first instrument was also a ukulele. It doesn’t hold its tune which is a problem now that my son has perfect pitch, haha. If you haven’t already, look into Prodigies Music Lessons for a fun way for little ones to learn music theory and general musicianship.

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Love this Jared. My 3yo son now has a snare drum, a mini guitar, and has annexed my violin (which he mostly plays like a cello). Calling it music is a stretch, but we have “concerts” every morning during breakfast, and it’s the best part of my day. It’s comforting to know there can still be some nurture amidst the nature

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Dean Town, that's hype to see!

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He has good tastes

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I think a drum would be a good first instrument since its simple and wouldn't be drowned out by a guitar and you'd be able to play together.

I have no idea what age when kids are able to keep a simple beat though, but they are pretty fun and don't need any theory or chords.

I recently bought a djembe, the music store I went to had small ones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djembe

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He has some drums and shakers, but he’s taken to the ukulele. I think it’s because he wants to do what we’re doing.

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This is so cute and yet so insightful! And yes, we are prone to imitate others (that is how people who follow influencers try to do what their influencers do or buy what their influencers buy), so we must be careful about who we imitate.

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