The Daily Dad It's Supposed To Be Difficult
May 12, 2026
Conversations about why struggle and challenge are essential for learning. Reflections on using literature and tough stories to build resilience. A provocative anecdote about teaching Ambrose Bierce sparks debate on shielding kids. Practical emphasis on guiding maturity instead of removing difficult material.
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Difficulty Signals Growth In Ideas
- Ideas and discussions will often be uncomfortable and require effort, just like academic subjects do.
- Ryan Holiday compares intellectual work to math or sports to show difficulty is part of growth, not a defect to be avoided.
Expose Kids To Difficult Ideas
- Do expose children to difficult ideas and challenging literature rather than sheltering them.
- Ryan Holiday argues confronting dark themes (e.g., Ambrose Bierce in fifth/sixth grade) teaches kids to handle real-world difficulty and mature judgment.
George Sanders Story About Ambrose Bierce
- George Sanders' daughters read Ambrose Bierce in fifth/sixth grade and encountered dark Civil War nonfiction in class.
- Some parents objected and removed the material even though Sanders says it was beautifully written and rigorous.
