We all want to wrap our kids and other loved ones in bubble wrap—to keep them safe in a world that feels dangerous. We work tirelessly to protect those we love, to keep them safe from all manner of difficulties and dangers. As we do this, we create all kinds of constructs and structures to keep our loved ones safe.
But that safety can, ultimately, be illusory. So, what are we to do? How do we address that fear and retain a degree of optimism and joy?
Bringing her trademark blend of wit, humor, and deep empathy, best-selling, award-winning author Mary Laura Philpott (I Miss You When I Blink and Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives) drops by to talk about the themes in her work, specifically the great paradox of parenting: it brings us great joy and also brings us significant vulnerability.
Mary Laura’s work is earthy and real while also being transcendent and beautiful. With her light and deft touch, she speaks gently, but honestly, about some of the deep, existential realities we face when we love, especially as parents.
Mary Laura discusses her parenting journey, drawing lessons we can all identify with, including how we come to make peace with life’s challenges, how we can learn to empathize with our own parents, how we can instill kindness, and some unique thoughts on when and when not to reach out to schools or teachers with problems.
As a bonus, she also reads a powerful chapter from her book, I Miss You When I Blink, called, “A Letter to the Type-A Person in Distress,” and you will definitely want to hear it!
"When you have children you become a skinned heart out there in the world." (Episode 6)