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

I'm Ryan Holiday, and I draw these lessons from ancient philosophy, modern psychology, practical wisdom, and insights

from parents just like you all over the world. Thank you for listening, and we hope this helps.

You need to calm down. Our kids are going to make bad decisions. They're going to do things you

disagree with and they may well grow up into someone you don't understand. And what are you

supposed to do? As the great Taylor Swift tells us, you need to calm down. You need to remember that

again, as she says, shade never made anyone less gay. Never made them less anything, in fact.

Shade, judgment, criticism, threats, these things not only strain and damage relationships,

it makes kids dig in on decisions, makes them not trust you, makes them feel unloved,

makes them feel hurt on top of whatever else they're already going through.

Remember how Clementine Churchill got her daughter to

realize she was marrying the wrong person? It was subtle. It was kind. It was indirect. It gave her

daughter agency and time. Remember what Captain Dave Carey said that the goal of each conversation

with your kids is to get to the next conversation? That means calming down. It means trying to see their perspective. It means

giving them space. It means asking questions and withholding opinion. It means offering help. It

means providing resources. It means acceptance. It means unconditional love.

Hey, you're listening to a daily dad podcast.

One meditation a day inspired to help you do your most important job, which is be a great father.

These are meditations inspired by ancient wisdom, psychological research, and just great

strategies from normal dads just like you.

Thanks for listening.