By Amy Goyer — 2020
Think about empathy, not orders.
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As a marriage dissolves, some parents find themselves asking questions like, “Should we stay together for the kids?” Other parents find divorce is their only option.
It’s hard to see a child unhappy. Whether a child is crying over the death of a pet or the popping of a balloon, our instinct is to make it better, fast. That’s where too many parents get it wrong, says the psychologist Susan David, author of the book “Emotional Agility.
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“Zen practice … requires great faith, great courage, and great questioning.”
Empathy is divided into cognitive, emotional and applied empathy, all of which are valuable. For empathy to truly be useful to the human condition, our kids must have applied empathy, or compassion.
Considering how to make the children in our lives better people helps us reflect on how we ourselves can be more compassionate.
Raising an empathetic and kind kid is a beautiful thing, but it’s also important to prepare kids for the real world.
Children are hard-wired for empathy, but it needs to be gently brought to life. Adults are in a prime position to nurture and develop empathy and emotional wisdom in their children.
When a child’s wellbeing depends on vigilant monitoring and consistent medical attention, the everyday anxiety and stress that all parents deal with is made worse by the fact that failing to keep up with treatment can be a matter of life and death.
Taking care of a chronically ill child is one of the most draining and difficult tasks a parent can face. Beyond handling physical challenges and medical needs, you’ll have to deal with your child’s emotional needs and the impact that a prolonged illness can have on the entire family.