Parade: How Stoic Philosophy Can Help Parents Raise Confident Kids Without Overpraising
Featuring Dr. Amy Marschall, PsyD, licensed psychologist and consultant, Mentavi Health. Published in Parade. Written by Ashley Broadwater, Health and Lifestyle Writer.
Parade spoke with Dr. Amy Marschall, PsyD, about how ideas from Stoic philosophy can shape the way parents give praise. The article looks at why the kind of praise a child hears may matter as much as how often they hear it.
In the article, Dr. Marschall explains that when most praise is tied to what a child did, the child may begin to connect adult approval with results. She says this can be linked to perfectionism, to a child basing their value on productivity, or to a sense that love and affection must be earned. She describes how focusing on effort over outcome can help children learn that they can work through challenges. She also notes that children are still learning what they do and do not control, so offering small choices can help them practice. The article ties these ideas to Stoic teaching that a person’s well-being should not depend on someone else’s approval, and to modern approaches such as growth mindset and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Praise is one of the most common ways parents show care. Small shifts in how it is worded can help. Naming what a child actually did, such as sticking with a hard task or trying a new approach, can show them what to keep practicing.
The Stoic idea of focusing on what is within our control offers a simple frame for families. A child can often choose how much effort to give or how to treat others. A child cannot choose a grade, a score, or what someone else thinks. Talking about that difference in age-appropriate ways may help children feel capable without feeling that everything rests on them.
Every child and every family is different. If you have questions about a child’s behavior, mood, or development, a licensed healthcare provider can help you decide what kind of support may fit.
Dr. Amy Marschall, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist and consultant with Mentavi Health.
About Mentavi Health: Mentavi Health is an evidence-based telehealth company specializing in mental health care.Read the full article in
Read the full article in Parade: How Stoic Philosophy Can Help Parents Raise Confident Kids Without Overpraising
Also published by: Yahoo Lifestyle: How Stoic Philosophy Can Help Parents Raise Confident Kids Without Overpraising
