Austin Kleon doesnt glamorize creative work.
(Hence, the work.)
He shares his wisdom in his new bookKeep Going, which comes out tomorrow.
Today, he talks to us about how he parents.
Tell us a little bit about your family and your career.
Did life happen mostly as planned or were there surprises?
My writing career took off just when we decided to have kids.
I wrote a lot ofShow Your Work!after putting him down for a nap.
(An awful way to write.
I do not recommend it!)
Both boys were drawing so well, I put their drawings in different chapters.
(Its been a lot!)
What gear do you rely on?
What about apps?
Otherwise, we useSpotifya lot to play music.
And thePBS Kids app.
And all the great apps thatTinybopmakes.
How has having kids changed the way you work?
Ive also learned to keep a pocket notebook and scribble down every single thought for later at my desk.
Basically, theyve reminded me how much creative work is about play.
Youve written about taking your kids to work.
Can you talk a bit about the magic that happens when they see you doing what you love?
Owens old enough now that I can actually ask his opinion about stuff Im working on.
He always has good ideas.
I love how spontaneous they are, how they can roll with things.
Whats your greatest parenting hack?
Its not really a hack, but an ethos, borrowed from John Holt: Trust children.
(Weve had a few accidents.
One time Jules drew on our couch cushions with chalk and Meg decided toembroider the drawings.)
Is there something that your parents did that youd like to pass onto your child?
They left me alone.
Gave me a lot of space and time to just dream and do my thing.
I hope to do the same for my kids.
I think a lot of kids just need more time and space.
I think we all do, actually …
How do you decompress?
Walks, whiskey, and trash television.
Whats been your proudest moment as a parent?
What moment are you least proud of?
I yell too much and I hate it.
What do you want your kid to learn from your example?
I just want them to be privately happy and publicly useful.
Has anyone ever given you a piece of parenting advice that has really stuck with you?
He stood up and said, Youre going to want to throw them out the window.
The important thing is that you dont.
Its still the best advice Ive ever heard.
Whats the hardest part about being a parent?
Whats your favorite part of the day?
I would be lying if I didnt say, Bedtime.
The one thing I would tell other parents who are juggling a career:
Its not you.
Youre probably doing the best you could.
Its just that everything is stacked against you.
Its near impossible and its not your fault.
Do the best it’s possible for you to.
Is there anything else youd like to share?
For crying out loud, get your kids vaccinated.
Dont be a selfish moron.
But also dont be afraid to raise your kids how you want.
Neil Postman said that Resistance entails conceiving of parenting as an act of rebellion against American culture.
