The Daily Dad You Shouldn’t Expect Anything Different
Nov 13, 2025
Explore the dynamics of parenting expectations and why we often feel surprised by our children's behavior. Discover how embracing the natural, noisy, and messy actions of kids can lead to more patience and understanding. Get insights from Epictetus on aligning expectations with reality, emphasizing love and encouragement over frustration. Learn about what children truly need from their parents and how to cultivate a supportive environment for growth.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Unexpected Family Revelations
- Ryan Holiday describes visiting his parents and being surprised by family stories he never heard before.
- He uses this to introduce StoryWorth as a tool to record those memories into a keepsake book.
Normalizing Predictable Kid Behavior
- Ryan Holiday notes our surprise at normal child behavior is itself surprising and unhelpful.
- He argues that kids being noisy, messy, moody, and immature is expected and perennial.
Don't Expect Figs In Winter
- Holiday invokes Epictetus: wisdom includes not expecting figs in winter.
- The point: don't expect outcomes that contradict natural patterns, including children's behavior.