Lael Stone

I mean, and look, you know, the schooling system is a whole other beast and serves some people really well and then doesn't for others.

And, you know, if I could have my way, we'd have a massive reform around education.

but I think what you just touched on there is really powerful is particularly in the teenage years when you're trying to figure out who you are and and yet we also have this need to belong and so how do I be that and also stay true to me it's one of the biggest dances that we I think navigate in life and not only as a teenager but I think into adulthood as well we're still trying to find that place of being authentically me and that's

I think one of the big things in wanting to raise you guys with as much emotional intelligence as we could is mainly for that, for you to be authentically you, to stay connected to who you are.

Because a lot of the adults I work with, it takes until they're in their 30s and 40s to be like, oh my God, I've conformed my whole life to fit into this box, to be good, to be this, and that's actually not who I am.

And I think if we can ideally raise kids that stay connected to their spirit and who they are, then that's actually going to set you off on a path to follow what you want and do.

And, you know, I will speak from the parent point of view.

All three of you have challenged that and we've raised you to do that, but each time I've still been shocked because I've been like –

oh, God, can't you just go to school?

Can't you just fit into this thing?

Because on some level it was going to make my life easier.

Yet I also, Dad and I really wanted to encourage you to be you.

And so when all three of you were like, this doesn't fit me anymore or I don't feel like that is where I need to be or I want to do it this way, I trusted all of you to do it.

But there was also these little edges that were like, oh, oof.

Because I think we want the evidence.

And I think sitting here now, not only with you two darlings, but seeing you all live your adult lives, I absolutely know and agree that that was the right decision for all of you to find your unique way.

And that's really tricky when we have been raised in a way where we're told this is the path you should take.

And that's hard.

And I've talked with many parents who also struggle with that.

Perhaps their kids don't fit in a system, don't belong, want to do it differently.