Don’t Be Scared By Things Like This | 10 Stoic Parenting Tips | The Daily Stoic

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic” podcast, the hosts discuss Stoic parenting tips and share stories that illustrate the importance of presence, consistency, and modeling behavior in raising children. They also emphasize the value of learning and the endless pursuit of wisdom in parenting.

Main Takeaways

Lessons from Ancient Stoics

• Stoics are not above superstitions or ghost stories.
• Athenodorus, an advisor to Emperor Augustus, encountered a ghost in a haunted mansion.
• Athenodorus calmly finished his writing session before following the ghost to its disappearance spot.
• Workers found ancient bones buried beneath the spot, and Athenodorus re-buried them with honors in a public funeral.
• The story was told to teach young Octavian, who became Augustus, a lesson that Stoics must keep their head and not be scared by things that go bump in the night.

Presence and Prioritizing Family Time

• Presence is a key aspect of Stoic philosophy, as exemplified by Kobe Bryant’s focus on being present with his daughters.
• The decision to prioritize family time is crucial, as we never know what the future holds.

Stoic Parenting Tips

• Stoicism can provide valuable insights for parenting, as many Stoics were parents themselves.
• Modeling behavior is more effective than simply telling children what to do.
• Consistency in parenting can be rewarding for children and help maintain stability.
• Allowing children to fail and take risks can be beneficial for their growth and development.
• Encouraging children to take control of their lives can be beneficial for their growth and development.
• Parents should educate themselves on parenting through books, Daily Dad, and asking great parents about their childhood.
• Adults should value learning and show their children what an adult committed to lifelong learning looks like.
• Wisdom is an endless pursuit, and children should be taught to value learning and never stop furthering their education.
• The key to parenting is presence, being present with your kids and giving them lots of attention.

Embracing the Phases of Parenting

• Every single thing is just a phase, and it gets easier to get through the hard ones.
• Don’t rush through the present moment with your kids, as every phase is transitory and ephemeral.
• The best piece of parenting advice: “Strap in.”

Additional Resources

• The Daily Dad: 365 Meditations on Parenting Love and Raising Great Kids is a collection of wisdom and advice on parenting that can be read every day.
• The Daily Stoic email community is the largest group of Stoics ever assembled in human history.

Summary

Ancient Stoic Lessons and Presence

The podcast begins by sharing the story of Athenodorus, an advisor to Emperor Augustus, who encountered a ghost in a haunted mansion. Athenodorus’s calm response to the ghost teaches the Stoic lesson of not being scared by things that go bump in the night. This story highlights the importance of presence, as exemplified by Kobe Bryant’s focus on being present with his daughters. Prioritizing family time is also emphasized, as it is crucial for building strong relationships and cherishing the present moment.

Stoic Parenting Tips and Embracing Phases

The hosts discuss valuable Stoic parenting tips, including modeling behavior, being consistent, and allowing children to fail and take risks for their growth and development. They emphasize the importance of encouraging children to take control of their lives and value lifelong learning. The concept of embracing the phases of parenting is explored, reminding parents that every phase is temporary and that it’s important to stay present and resilient throughout the challenges.

Additional Resources for Parenting

The podcast recommends “The Daily Dad: 365 Meditations on Parenting Love and Raising Great Kids” as a valuable resource for daily wisdom and advice on parenting. The hosts also mention the Daily Stoic email community, which provides a platform for like-minded parents to connect and learn from each other.

Conclusion

Stoic philosophy offers valuable insights for parenting, emphasizing the importance of presence, modeling behavior, consistency, and embracing the phases of parenting. By prioritizing family time and fostering a love for learning, parents can create a healthy learning environment for their children and raise resilient, self-reliant individuals.