Comment by constantcrying
2 days ago
>As a tech parent I think one of the best things I did for both my son and daughter was for their first computer to help them to build and setup their own Linux computer (It was Ubuntu back then but they’ve both moved themselves to Arch these days).
Of the important things my father, who definitely is a "tech parent", did for me none of them have anything to do with him teaching me some piece of technology.
To be very frank, if the best thing you have done for your children is getting them to use Linux you are a total failure as a parent. To be fair to you, I do not believe you at all when you say this.
>Now my friend wants the same for their daughter who is 8 years old.
One of the actually most valuable thing my father did for me, definitely in terms of education outcome and career. Was getting me interested and spending time with me and explaining me things. The particulars do not matter, I can not remember them. It is totally irrelevant whether what Linux distro you use or what you teach them. What matters is that the parent is there, explains and encourages.
>Linux with free and open software is the goal and focus.
This is about an 8 year old.
> To be very frank, if the best thing you have done for your children is getting them to use Linux you are a total failure as a parent.
Where are you getting this from?
I paraphrased the part I quoted from the OP: "one of the best things I did for both my son and daughter was for their first computer to help them to build and setup their own Linux compute"
Ah, I see. I had taken the "one of" much more heavily than "the best things", as to mean: "I think this was a good decision I made that I'm proud of". I was taken aback by you concluding they were a total failure as a parent as a result of their assessment of that decision.
> One of the actually most valuable thing my father did for me, definitely in terms of education outcome and career. Was getting me interested and spending time with me and explaining me things. The particulars do not matter, I can not remember them. It is totally irrelevant whether what Linux distro you use or what you teach them. What matters is that the parent is there, explains and encourages.
Yup, that's the essence of parenting and should totally not be overlooked!