One of the great things about being a dad is having an excuse to assemble a lot of stuff, something I generally enjoy unless I’m really harried or exhausted. Here are some of the things I assembled just before or soon after Seth was born:

• A crib
• Changing table
• Stroller
• High chair
• Toys, including two mobiles, a bouncer and a trike

As Seth grew older, he absolutely reveled in doing any and all projects with dad. Some of those included:

• Converting the crib to day bed
• Converting it back to a crib
• Stripping, painting and decorating his dresser in a space theme
• Assembling a small bookcase
• And his slide bed (he also helped me take it apart and put it back together again for our move to Chicago)

Since moving into our Chicago gigs, we realized the need for additional furniture. Essentially, we had thrown out or gave away my wife’s office stuff.

As always, Seth was insistent about helping assemble my wife’s new desk, filing cabinet and bookcase (pictured.) But for the first time, so was Lael. Unfortunately, she’s still just a bit too young.

But as soon as she is old enough, I intend to include Lael in the building of whatever project comes our way – as long as it is safe of course.

I think it’s important that there be no gender distinction on such projects. I am not about to make the presumption that Lael has any less interest or desire in such activities like some families I knew growing up.

As it is, I have never understood why parents tell there daughters that shop is not for them and cooking is not for boys. What a bunch of silly nonsense.