This article gives me so much to consider. As a child, I was afraid of everything, but I gave birth to a fearless child, and that simply terrified me. I'll be thinking about this post all day.
I love how you put that — it’s fascinating how our kids can flip the script on our own childhood experiences. A fearful parent raising a fearless child is its own kind of adventure (and, yes, sometimes terrifying in itself!). Thank you for sharing this reflection — it really shows how differently fear and courage can play out in each generation.
The Little Albert study is horrifying, isn't it. I actually almost wrote about it last week, so have been revisiting it. Just so, so unethical. So sad that they never deconditioned the poor lamb.
Great parenting tips, really enjoyed this post, Kunlun
It really is horrifying — the fact that they never deconditioned him still makes my stomach turn. And yet, the story keeps pulling us back because of how starkly it shows the power of learned emotions. I’d love to read your take on it too — I think each retelling adds another important layer. Thanks so much for your kind words!
P.S. And I love how you frame it in this reply and in your articles. So smart!
I wrote in tips for parents: acknowledge their feelings (“That bark was loud, wasn’t it?”)
You started: The Little Albert study is horrifying, isn't it.
This was equal parts chilling and illuminating. The story of Little Albert still unsettles me — but your unpacking of it feels so compassionate, so wise. I really appreciated how you didn’t stop at the ethics or the history, but brought it home for us — the parents navigating big feelings in tiny bodies every day.
This reminder that “fears can be unlearned, too” is exactly what I needed. We hold so much power, just by how we respond — not perfectly, but gently. Thank you for this beautiful and practical reframe 🤍
Your comment gave me chills (the good kind). I really resonate with what you said about “big feelings in tiny bodies” — that’s exactly the daily landscape we’re walking as parents. And I think you captured it perfectly: it’s not about responding perfectly, but gently. Thank you for reflecting back the heart of the piece so beautifully.
So much to think about! I have one fearless child and another that’s a bit more fearful, this definitely helps me think through how to move forward with each of them.
That’s such a great example of how even siblings can experience the world so differently. One child runs headfirst into everything, while the other hangs back — and somehow we’re called to parent both at once. I’m so glad this gave you some ideas for moving forward with each of them. Thank you for sharing this, Eliza!
How interesting! My daughter was afraid of public toilets when we started potty training, acknowledging it was loud and talking about it before helped. That fear has now faded... She still asks "Is it going to be loud?" And when I say, "I don't know, let's see" she covers her ears and then says "that wasnt that loud"..
This is such a perfect real-life example of how fears can fade when they’re met with acknowledgment and gentle support. I love how you handled it — not dismissing her fear, but preparing her and letting her discover for herself that it wasn’t so bad. That’s exactly how positive associations can slowly replace fear. Thank you for sharing this story — it brings the experiment’s lessons into the everyday moments of parenting so beautifully.
This article gives me so much to consider. As a child, I was afraid of everything, but I gave birth to a fearless child, and that simply terrified me. I'll be thinking about this post all day.
I love how you put that — it’s fascinating how our kids can flip the script on our own childhood experiences. A fearful parent raising a fearless child is its own kind of adventure (and, yes, sometimes terrifying in itself!). Thank you for sharing this reflection — it really shows how differently fear and courage can play out in each generation.
You are so right. Sometimes I wonder where she came from! 😂🤣
The Little Albert study is horrifying, isn't it. I actually almost wrote about it last week, so have been revisiting it. Just so, so unethical. So sad that they never deconditioned the poor lamb.
Great parenting tips, really enjoyed this post, Kunlun
It really is horrifying — the fact that they never deconditioned him still makes my stomach turn. And yet, the story keeps pulling us back because of how starkly it shows the power of learned emotions. I’d love to read your take on it too — I think each retelling adds another important layer. Thanks so much for your kind words!
P.S. And I love how you frame it in this reply and in your articles. So smart!
I wrote in tips for parents: acknowledge their feelings (“That bark was loud, wasn’t it?”)
You started: The Little Albert study is horrifying, isn't it.
^_^
This was equal parts chilling and illuminating. The story of Little Albert still unsettles me — but your unpacking of it feels so compassionate, so wise. I really appreciated how you didn’t stop at the ethics or the history, but brought it home for us — the parents navigating big feelings in tiny bodies every day.
This reminder that “fears can be unlearned, too” is exactly what I needed. We hold so much power, just by how we respond — not perfectly, but gently. Thank you for this beautiful and practical reframe 🤍
Your comment gave me chills (the good kind). I really resonate with what you said about “big feelings in tiny bodies” — that’s exactly the daily landscape we’re walking as parents. And I think you captured it perfectly: it’s not about responding perfectly, but gently. Thank you for reflecting back the heart of the piece so beautifully.
So much to think about! I have one fearless child and another that’s a bit more fearful, this definitely helps me think through how to move forward with each of them.
That’s such a great example of how even siblings can experience the world so differently. One child runs headfirst into everything, while the other hangs back — and somehow we’re called to parent both at once. I’m so glad this gave you some ideas for moving forward with each of them. Thank you for sharing this, Eliza!
How interesting! My daughter was afraid of public toilets when we started potty training, acknowledging it was loud and talking about it before helped. That fear has now faded... She still asks "Is it going to be loud?" And when I say, "I don't know, let's see" she covers her ears and then says "that wasnt that loud"..
This is such a perfect real-life example of how fears can fade when they’re met with acknowledgment and gentle support. I love how you handled it — not dismissing her fear, but preparing her and letting her discover for herself that it wasn’t so bad. That’s exactly how positive associations can slowly replace fear. Thank you for sharing this story — it brings the experiment’s lessons into the everyday moments of parenting so beautifully.