Welcome to the Daily Dad podcast where we provide one lesson every day to help you with your most important job being a dad.

These are lessons inspired by ancient philosophy, by practical wisdom, and insights from dads all over the world. Thank you for

listening, and we hope this helps. No, they were learning something. One of the frequent complaints

of parents during the pandemic was that their kids weren't learning anything. One of the frequent complaints of parents during the pandemic was that their kids

weren't learning anything. Whether it was because they were homeschooling or virtual schooling,

the fear was that this pandemic had caused a kind of lost year educationally, which of course

is absurd. Yes, it may be true that academically there were setbacks, but not

learning anything? No, your kids were learning a lot. They just weren't learning along the standardized,

systematized school structure. They were learning how unpredictable life was. They were learning

about pressure and stress. They were learning that they

took certain things for granted. They learned just how important relationships and activities and

friends were. They were learning about time management and self-direction. They were learning

about politics and governance and public health. They were learning about how interconnected we all are,

how our fates are bound up with one another. They were also watching you. If your view was that

they were learning nothing, that this was a lost year, that itself was a lesson. You were teaching

them that it was not possible to adapt to circumstances.

You were telling them that they are not in control of their own education or their destiny.

Instead of focusing on the opportunity, you were overwhelmed by the obstacle.

Instead of reminding them that education is an expansive, unending thing for which we are responsible for ourselves.

You defined education as school. Even worse is literally nothing more than a physical classroom

led by an in-person teacher. Your kids are always learning, no matter the environment.

So it's on you to direct that positively, creatively,

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