Kindness + Reality Teaches
Before you decide that “kindness teaches best” is some kind of frufru, no-accountability form of permissive parenting, hold on a second.
Pain Does Not Teach
We’ve got this notion that people — kids, especially — need to suffer a little bit when they do something wrong, so that next time, they’ll think, “Last time I suffered. I don’t think I’ll do that again.”
Science Can Be Personal
In an earlier post, I started compiling the passages I like best from the first chapter of Before Philosophy, because there’s something in there that strikes a chord and I want to tease out what it is. I left off with …
Then Do It
Did you say yes to your kid? Did you say no? Whatever you said, if you don’t follow through, you’re demonstrating that your words don’t mean much and they can predictably tune you out.
Well That Explains a Lot
I mentioned I’ve been reading Before Philosophy by Henri and Henriette Frankfort, et al. And I mentioned it’s one of my favorite treatises on mythology. What I didn’t mention is the lights-on moment I got the first time I picked up this book, which …
Say Yes as Often as You Can
Your kids have to accommodate your needs and wishes, because your needs and wishes matter, true. That’ll work best if you get in the habit of saying yes to them.
They Have to Accommodate
Kids’ needs and wishes matter. Their creativity, their malleability, their resilience, their openness — those aspects of their character matter, a lot.
More than Metaphor
In my last post about mythology, I said that myth isn’t metaphor. Metaphor is a popular way to look at myth these days, which is why it deserves some pushback. I maintain that myths are not allegories of the human psyche. Of course, any lens can be …
A Game of Equals
I see family life as a game. There are rules. There’s also an objective: having as nice a time as possible while making sure everyone’s needs get met.
Chill Out, Jo-Cam
The other day a friend of mine asked me what I have against the mythologist Joseph Campbell. Every time the guy’s name comes up, I swear; also, I love mythology. So what’s your problem, my friend asked. That’s a fair question. I …