Exploring the tendency of parents to adopt seemingly absurd or superstitious practices in raising their children and the importance of finding what works for each family.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Parents rely on superstitions and routines to gain a sense of control in the face of parenting uncertainties.
Trusting oneself and not allowing external opinions is crucial in parenting; if a certain approach works, stick with it.
Deep dives
The Power of Superstitions in Parenting
Parents often rely on various rituals or routines, no matter how trivial or irrational they may seem, in hopes of gaining an edge in the challenging task of parenting. From reading a specific book every night to taking the exact same family vacation every year, these superstitions provide comfort and a sense of control in the face of the uncertainties of parenting. While this behavior may appear absurd to outsiders, parents are willing to try anything that works, regardless of how illogical it may be, as long as it provides a positive outcome.
The Importance of Trusting What Works for You
In the realm of parenting, where fear and uncertainty abound, parents rely on what works for them, regardless of external opinions or doubts. The high stakes and lack of clear feedback often lead parents to lean on their personal experiences and superstitions, as long as they bring positive results. This highlights the importance of trusting oneself and not allowing others to question or influence the methods that have proven effective. Ultimately, if a certain approach or routine works for you as a parent, there is no need to let anyone get in your head about it.
"We parents are like field goal kickers. Just like if a certain shirt or a pair of socks brings them luck, we’re always looking for something, anything that will give us an edge. Just like a free throw shooter going through a preposterous routine, we’re religious about ours too."
Ryan describes parental superstitions—and why they're okay!—on today's Daily Dad Podcast.
***
If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we can invest into it and make it even better.