Paternal Progress Report - Week of Mar 17-Mar 21
Looking back to move forward—our Sunday reflection.
Weekly Thoughts
This week, we talked about how our kids handle change and a little reflection on how I'm handling my kid's changes. Next Saturday, I'll have some further recommended reading on kids and change. But I want to go back in time to the week before—Parenting With Mindfulness and Stoicism. There are several books you can read with your kids to promote these techniques and ideas. Here are a few I read with my son:
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse
by Charlie Mackesy
I've talked about this book before, but it is by far my favorite book to read to my kids. Charlie Mackesy uses his unique, varied art style and calligraphic handwriting to craft what is honestly one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. It's almost more of a collection of precepts or meditations than a cohesive narrative, and it might be hard for younger kids to follow, but the lessons on managing fear, building resilience, cultivating self-awareness, and promoting kindness are well in line with mindfulness and Stoicism. Some of my favorite bits are:
“Tears fall for a reason, and they are your strength, not weakness.”
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole.
“Kind,” said the boy.
“Asking for help isn't giving up,” said the horse. “It's refusing to give up.”
Zen Shorts
by Jon J Muth
This book is another written and illustrated by the author, with a unique watercolor-and-pen art style that evokes warmth. Stillwater—a talking panda with a "slight panda accent"—has just moved next door to three siblings—Addy, Michael, and Karl. Stillwater shares three Zen parables—one with each kid—to illustrate an idea in a way children can relate. It's a fantastic book.
Somewhere, Right Now
by Kerry Docherty and Illustrated by Suzie Mason
This book came to us through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and it's probably my favorite of all the books we've received. A young girl feels scared during a storm, so her mother encourages her to close her eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine something beautiful happening in the world. The young girl then passes the lesson on to her brother, who passes it on, and so on. Of the books on this list, it's probably the one that has resonated most with my son because its' messaging is much more accessible to a four-year-old.
What Do You Do with a Problem
by Kobi Yamada and Illustrated by Mae Besom
The most Stoic of the books on this list, What Do You Do With A Problem exemplifies Marcus Aurelius' line from Meditations, "What stands in the way, becomes the way." Besom's unique and beautiful illustrations help carry the story of a boy who is followed by a problem—illustrated as a growing storm. When the boy finally confronts the problem, he finds an opportunity. It's a perfect book to plant a seed of resilience in a child's mind.
Wisdom of The Week
My favorite excerpt from this week’s run of entries.
Right now, as I write this, the sun hasn't risen, and they're both asleep in little cotton cocoons. They're morphing into new little humans, ever so slightly different than the humans I tucked into bed.
I'll miss who they were yesterday and the day before. I'll miss it all.
But I can't wait to meet the people they are today.
The Recap
The three newsletters from the past week. This week’s theme was “Children and Change”
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
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For a full list of the books I’ve promoted in the newsletter, check out my Bookshelf.