Opinion | My Teenage Son Thinks the World Is Falling Apart. I've Changed How I Talk to Him About It.
Briefly

Within our marriage, my wife and I have a clash of cultures, which means we talk to our kids quite differently about the state of the world and its future. My wife, Kasia, came from a tough background in Warsaw, having lost her father to cancer without prior knowledge, promoting her philosophy of transparency about life and death. In contrast, my upbeat American perspective leans towards optimism and shielding our kids from harsh realities.
Kasia's upbringing in Poland, characterized by resilience in the face of hardship, instilled in her the importance of discussing difficult topics like death openly and honestly. She expresses that she wants our children to be prepared for life's challenges rather than be caught off guard, a perspective influenced by her own experiences of loss.
Our contrasting parenting styles can be characterized as Disney versus the Iron Curtain. I navigate life with an America that shimmers with opportunities and cheerful experiences, while Kasia, with her deeply rooted historical insights, focuses on a more realistic portrayal of life's unpredictability.
The stories of our upbringing highlight the divide in our parental approaches: after facing tragedy, Kasia emphasizes realism and transparency, while my background permits a lighter disposition, creating a delicate balance in our family discussions.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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