The Home Depot hosts free Kids Workshops on the first Saturday of each month. Kids and parents can build kit projects like bird houses, helicopters, pirate ships, and, oddly-specific enough, ‘Declaration of Independence frames’. We’ve missed the last two workshops since learning of the program, but my wife and I pulled one out of our good-parent hat this weekend, and made a special effort to get Ian’s hands on a hammer and nails.

We missed the pirate ship, but this weekend the kids were building planters. I don’t build, but the project kits are non-threatening: shrink-wrapped, pre-cut, starter holes pre-drilled, and other hyphenated adjectives that help men like me maintain our thin veneers of masculinity in front of our children. The kids are given Home Depot aprons to wear for each session, and a project pin to commemorate the event.

Ian did a fantastic job, holding his hammer to balance force and accuracy, and taking careful aim of my thumbnail. He talked throughout the project, his mind focused on the outcome rather than the process. What should we plant? What can we plant? Will the flowers die? Can I keep them in my room?

At one point he was the only child in the room, and he had the staff’s full attention. They complimented his handling of the hardware, and praised his use of safety goggles. He rewarded them with tips on the proper care of house plants.

‘They need dirt, lots of sun, and water. And love.’