The Daily Dad This Is What We Have to Try to Get Better At
Dec 29, 2025
Explore the idea that being a good parent and partner requires intentional effort, not just good intentions. Discover why prioritizing meaningful relationships over superficial goals can lead to personal growth. Ryan Holiday shares insights on using daily prompts to enhance parenting skills and encourages listeners to invest in their familial bonds. Dive into practical tools to foster a supportive community for parents. Unlock the ultimate gift of parenting with valuable resources and reflections.
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Misplaced Priorities On Personal Improvement
- We expend huge effort improving work, fitness, and hobbies while neglecting parenting and partnership.
- Marcus Aurelius' list of self-improvement priorities omits domestic roles, revealing misplaced cultural focus.
Philosophy's Blind Spot: Domestic Roles
- Marcus Aurelius listed getting better at many things but didn't mention being a better parent or spouse.
- That omission suggests improving domestic roles should be a specific, explicit priority, not assumed collateral benefit.
Marcus Aurelius' Parenting Shortfall
- Marcus Aurelius had many children and one, Commodus, famously became a poor ruler and likely needed a better father.
- Ryan Holiday points to historical family failures to illustrate why parenting deserves direct attention.