A father, professor and returning guest talks about 'the madness' (that's the word I was looking for!) and its seeming imperviousness even to lofty Presidential decrees
This was an extraordinary interview on so many levels. Many, many thanks to ML for his thoughtfulness and deep insights and to you for hosting this series. When ML spoke about parenting, including his conversation with the transexual he knows, I was reminded of Donald Winnicott’s concept of the “good enough mother,” though of course it is equally applicable to what it means to be a father. Winnicott’s concept grew out of his work in WWII when, among other things, one million children were evacuated and millions were displaced from their homes. In wartime radio talks, Winnicott spoke directly to parents who were agonizing over those separations and impossible choices they had to make. Rather than telling them what to do, Winnicott trusted in their ability to provide the care the children needed to grow and become healthy and independent beings. He reassured parents that their best efforts were good enough. ML is clearly so much more than a good enough parent. I wish him and his family the very best.
I was struck by what ML said about gravity. Of course he's right. We know this intuitively. The advice from the septagenarian transexual also resonates with advice from religious traditions; that is to 'let go' of our adult children. Thank you Jenny and ML.
This was an extraordinary interview on so many levels. Many, many thanks to ML for his thoughtfulness and deep insights and to you for hosting this series. When ML spoke about parenting, including his conversation with the transexual he knows, I was reminded of Donald Winnicott’s concept of the “good enough mother,” though of course it is equally applicable to what it means to be a father. Winnicott’s concept grew out of his work in WWII when, among other things, one million children were evacuated and millions were displaced from their homes. In wartime radio talks, Winnicott spoke directly to parents who were agonizing over those separations and impossible choices they had to make. Rather than telling them what to do, Winnicott trusted in their ability to provide the care the children needed to grow and become healthy and independent beings. He reassured parents that their best efforts were good enough. ML is clearly so much more than a good enough parent. I wish him and his family the very best.
I was struck by what ML said about gravity. Of course he's right. We know this intuitively. The advice from the septagenarian transexual also resonates with advice from religious traditions; that is to 'let go' of our adult children. Thank you Jenny and ML.