Better to Be Feared or Loved? Parenting Advice From a 500-Year-Old Political Strategist

Feeling torn between being the “nice” parent and the one who actually gets stuff done? If you’re exhausted from negotiating bedtime like a hostage situation but still want a real connection with your kid, explore whether a little fear (or at least respect) might actually help. Drawing wisdom from Machiavelli and personal experience, check out how parenting has evolved, where it’s gone off the rails, and what might work better for your own tiny kingdom.