Great help to me as a single mom.

  • dan1101@lemm.ee
    0·
    2 months ago

    Most kids have a lot of energy, it just needs to be directed properly. Your son did a great job!

      • ggtdbz@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        0·
        2 months ago

        No physical activity has ever felt as satisfying as a handful of times I chopped wood when I was like 14. I feel like there’s a strong psychological element to it, I really felt like a man in a great way.

        • introvertcatto@lemmy.blahaj.zone
          0·
          2 months ago

          I think it’s because you did some workout and did housework at the same time. You basically did 2 jobs at once. Especially when compared to going to the gym.

        • 𝕽𝖚𝖆𝖎𝖉𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍@midwest.social
          0·
          2 months ago

          Seriously!

          I think it’s the perfect exercise. It’s got everything going for it:

          • It doesn’t take skill
          • but when you do have skill, it gets easier
          • the skill tree is pretty easy to climb: it’s fast enough to notice you’re getting better, but not so fast that you peak too early
          • it seems there’s always some little way you can improve
          • the work is in the set-up; the actual cutting is the relax period, which in a weird way makes it feel like you’re not really doing work
          • you get to work with a weapon. It’s sharp, dangerous, and nearly identical to things people use to use in war. (Most farm implements were repurposed for use in war, but an axe… that’s in the top three for sure). I can’t speak for girls, but for teen boys, it really makes you feel bad-ass.
          • our bodies are almost purpose-built for chopping wood; it’s not an awkward, back-breaking labor like hand-picking crops, bucking hay, or digging. It can be done quite ergonomically.
          • it’s consistent, smooth, and repetitive without being monotonous. Every piece of wood is different, and every swing requires attention and focus.

          Honestly, I doubt there’s any manual labor as gratifying and an almost perfect full-body work-out as chopping wood. Strength, stamina, dexterity, concentration - it exercises everything.

          • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world
            0·
            2 months ago

            Given the sheer number of splitting wedges that my brother and I snapped the handles off of while we were learning accuracy, I would disagree with the statement that it doesn’t take skill. It doesn’t take much skill, but it took us a season or two to become proficient at it.

            • 𝕽𝖚𝖆𝖎𝖉𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍@midwest.social
              0·
              2 months ago

              Well, I never split a handle, but what I meant was that it was something you could start doing and make progress with very little practice. But, yes, to do it well takes skill - and that’s when I gets easier.

              Splitting, with a wedge, is another matter entirely. That’s fairly brutal exercise, just from the weight of the wedge. I’d much rather chop smaller pieces with an axe than break up large pieces with a wedge. There’s no rhythm to using a wedge; a lot of good aim, and a lot of strength.

              • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world
                0·
                2 months ago

                I don’t use a 20 pound maul any more. Just start the season out with the 2lb wedge, and work my way up to the 10lb wedge. The weight is doing most of the work. I find it very zen, but yeah it can be difficult to get a rhythm until your accuracy is dialed in.

    • zmly@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      2 months ago

      Wow, I didn’t know you could edit without deleting the post on this app like that.

  • UraniumBlazer@lemm.eeEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Wow… Um tell your son to post this. I’m sure he won’t have any problems finding any mates.