Parenting Lessons: Letting Go and Focusing on What's Within Our Control

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Parenting involves learning to be less strict and more chill, focusing on what's within our control. Mistakes help us see the futility of trying to control the uncontrollable and teach us to step back. When facing a situation where a child has misbehaved, it's essential to consider the futility of getting mad and instead focus on using the opportunity to have a calm, respectful conversation. It's important to acknowledge that we can only control our own response and emotions, not the actions of others. Many arguments stem from a desire to undo what has happened, but it's crucial to practice letting go and moving on from things that are beyond our control.

It’s January 1st. It snuck up on you, didn’t it? You knew the year was wrapping up, you had resolutions you meant to make, a review you meant to do of the last twelve months, goals you intended to set, habits you were going to start in 2024…and then here it is already.

Or worse than procrastination, you may have already relapsed on your resolutions. You had a late one last night, and you’re already saying to yourself this morning, what’s one cup of coffee or one cigarette? (even though you were quitting). Does getting up early really matter that much?, you’re asking yourself. Do I have to workout every day? So you give yourself a mulligan and say that actually tomorrow is the real first day of the year.

This is what we humans have been doing and saying for thousands of years. Twenty centuries ago, Seneca said that it’s the one thing fools all have in common: they are always getting ready to start. We see this every year. It’s pretty funny actually. Starting in early December, we start talking about the Daily Stoic New Year New You Challenge.

In this first Daily Stoic Journal entry of the new year, Ryan revisits the most important Stoic task that there is: distinguishing between what is in our control and what isn't.

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