Episode 036: Resilience and Empathy

Drawing on ancient teachings about parenting, Maria and Sheila embark on a conversation about how to raise this modern generation of children with resilience and empathy.

"Recognize the inner realities.  If you try to make your children good, you will make them and yourself miserable; show them you believe in their natural goodness and all will be blessed.  If you try to make them honor you, you will create instead resentment and dishonesty; instead, honor yourself and them, and all will be happy.  If you try to make them successful, you will perpetuate their misery of endless desires; instead, enjoy the simple life and all will find contentment.  You do not have to recognize the outward niceties, you have to recognize the inward realities.  You do not have to make things turn out well, you have to realize that all is well." - William Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching: A New Interpretation, Ancient Advice for Modern Parents

When we bring to our parenting an underlying calm and knowing that all is well, we can address modern issues and better prepare our children to navigate the challenges and struggles of life with inner strength and inner peace.

"Be a model of honesty.  If you want to become a wise parent, you must be prepared to appear foolish.  You must be willing to say, "why should I chase this way and that?  Always grasping and always running?"  Unless you stop following the crowd, how can your children be free?  To teach your children strength, you must be prepared to appear weak.  You must renounce admission and struggle and embrace serenity and peace.  You must confess your faults and embrace your failures.  You must face yourself with honesty and find the truth of your nature." - William Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching: A New Interpretation, Ancient Advice for Modern Parents

Resources From This Episode:

William Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching: A New Interpretation, Ancient Advice for Modern Parents: https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/reviews/view/16160

Michelle Borba, Ed.D., UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in this All-About-Me World: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/UnSelfie/Michele-Borba/9781501110078

Julie Lythcott-Haims, How to Raise an Adult: https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/how-to-raise-an-adult

Frances E. Jensen and Amy Ellis Nutt, The Teenage Brain: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062067869/the-teenage-brain/

Project Empathy: https://www.projectempathyvr.com/