How To Raise Hopeful Kids | Ryan Holiday and Sharon McMahon
Dec 7, 2024
auto_awesome
In this engaging discussion, Sharon McMahon, a former high school government teacher and author of "The Small and the Mighty," joins Ryan Holiday. They explore how to instill hope in children, emphasizing that hope is a proactive choice. Sharon offers practical strategies for parents to empower kids through positive actions and local engagement. They also tackle how to discuss difficult histories without dampening optimism, promoting critical thinking while fostering a belief in positive change.
Parents should instill hope in their children by empowering them to take small, meaningful actions within their communities.
Utilizing hands-on activity kits like Kiwi can enhance family bonding while providing educational engagement away from screens.
Deep dives
Finding Engagement Through Kiwi Kits
Engaging children away from screens can be a challenge, but utilizing Kiwi kits offers a solution. These hands-on activity kits encourage kids to learn and create while fostering quality time with family members. For instance, the speaker shares a personal experience where his children enjoyed a Kiwi kit with their grandparents, leading to meaningful interactions and creativity without the distraction of screens. Kiwi kits not only promote learning but also enable parents to bond with their children through collaborative projects.
The Power of Hope in Parenting
Instilling a sense of hope in children is essential, especially in challenging times. The conversation emphasizes that hope is a choice and an exercise in self-control; even when circumstances seem daunting, individuals can choose to embody hope and take constructive actions. This can be illustrated by encouraging children to perform small acts, like picking up trash or helping within their community, as a way to empower them to see the impact of their actions. By modeling this mindset, parents can teach children that their choices matter and that positive change is attainable.
Reframing Historical Perspectives for Kids
Teaching children about history requires a balance between acknowledging unpleasant truths and presenting inspiring figures. The dialogue highlights the importance of exposing kids to relatable, ordinary individuals who have made significant impacts, rather than solely focusing on famous historical figures. This approach allows children to see that they, too, can make a difference in their communities. Furthermore, parents are encouraged to foster critical thinking by discussing various perspectives, which helps avoid the pitfalls of a one-sided narrative that can lead to cynicism.
It's our job to show our kids that they have the power to instigate change within themselves and their communities, regardless of external circumstances. Sharon McMahon, author of The Small and the Mighty, talks with Ryan about how parents can instill hope in their kids and show them that making a difference is accessible.
Sharon is known as “America’s Government Teacher,” and after years as a high school government teacher, Sharon now runs the non-partisan, fact-based Instagram account @sharonsaysso. Sharon just released her book, The Small and the Mighty, where she proves that the most remarkable Americans are often ordinary people who didn’t make it into the textbooks.
📚 You can grab signed copies of The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon at The Painted Porch.
🎙️Listen to Sharon’s FULL interview on The Daily Stoic podcast | Apple Podcasts & Spotify