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Welcome to the Daily Stoic podcast where each day we read a passage of ancient wisdom designed to help you in your everyday life.

Well, on Thursdays, we not only read the daily meditation, but we answer some questions from listeners and fellow Stoics.

We're trying to apply this philosophy just as you are.

Some of these come from my talks.

Some of these come from Zoom sessions that we do with Daily Stoic Life members or as part of the challenges.

Some of them are from interactions I have on the street when there happened to be someone there recording.

But thank you for listening and we hope this is of use to you.

Make them do their own stuff.

There is a great story about a young Spartan women, Gorgos, who would one day become queen.

Despite her royal status like all Spartans, she was raised to be self-sufficient with no frills or needless luxury.

So imagine Gorgos' surprise when she witnessed a distinguished visitor to Sparta have his shoes put on by a servant.

Look, father, she said innocently to her father, the King Leonidas.

That stranger has no hands.

Sadly, for some of us, it could just as easily be deduced that our kids have no hands and no brains.

We put their clothes on for them. We make their decisions. We clear the road in front like a snow pile.

We hover like a helicopter. Just in case something goes wrong, we do everything for them.

And then we wonder why they're helpless. We wonder why they have trouble with anxiety or low self-esteem.

Confidence is something you earn. It comes from self-sufficiency. It comes from experience.

And when we cuddle and baby them, when we take away their hands, we deprive them of these critical assets.

And it's not right. And it's not fair.

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