The Daily Dad

Teach them Early Where Their Value Lies

Jan 28, 2020

02:16

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The podcast discusses the ancient parenting strategy from Plato that teaches children their true value lies in their uniqueness and combination of DNA, experiences, and circumstances.

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Quick takeaways

Children should be taught from a young age that their worth does not come from external factors, but rather from their inherent qualities.

Parents should help children understand and appreciate their own worth based on their unique combination of DNA, experiences, and circumstances, fostering self-love and self-worth.

Deep dives

Teaching Children Their Inherent Value

One important lesson for parents is to teach their children where their true value lies. According to the ancient writer Plutarch, children should be taught from a young age that their worth does not come from external factors such as material possessions or accomplishments but rather from their inherent qualities. Just as they don't need to wear gold because they are made of something more precious, children should understand that their uniqueness, DNA, experiences, and circumstances make them special and valuable. This timeless observation from Plato, over 2000 years ago, aligns with Mr. Rogers' message of accepting oneself as they are.

Teaching Children Their Inherent Value

2min

The ancient writer—and father—Plutarch tells us of a parenting strategy he discovered in the works of Plato. “Young people must be taught from childhood,” he said, “that it is not right to wear gold on their bodies or to possess it, since they have their own personal gold intermixed into their soul, hinting (I think) at the virtue that is part of human nature and received at birth.”

It’s a beautiful idea: They don’t need to wear that most precious and sought after ornament...because they are made of something much more precious. Even more beautiful is the timelessness of this observation. Plato said it over 2000 years ago...and Mr. Rogers ended every one of his programs with something very similar. "You've made this day a special day by just being you,” he would say. “There's no person in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are."

We must, as parents, teach our children where their value really lies. It’s not in accomplishments. It’s not in what they earn or how they look. It’s not to be found in anything external at all. It’s inherent. It exists because they exist. Because there is no one on the planet with their same combination of DNA and experiences and circumstances. That’s what makes them special—what makes them rarer than any of the rarest jewels and more precious than the most precious metals.

That’s why we love them. And why they should love and value themselves.

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