Member-only story
How the Soul Grows
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With no roads, no heating systems, and no stores nearby, Briggs was immersed in a culture radically different from her own. One of the first things she noticed? Inuit adults never got angry.
Not when someone spilled boiling water inside an igloo.
Not when a fishing line — handwoven for days — broke on its first use.
No yelling. No frustration. Just quiet acceptance and action.
She felt like an emotional toddler.
One day, Briggs witnessed a young Inuit mother interacting with her angry two-year-old son. The boy was furious. Instead of scolding him, the mother handed him a stone and said gently:
“Hit me with it. Come on, hit me again. Harder.”
When the child threw the stone, the mother covered her face and pretended to cry:
“Oww! That really hurt!”
To outsiders, it may seem strange. But in Inuit culture, this is a profound teaching moment. These play-acted consequences are a gentle way to teach children empathy and the impact of their actions — without shame or punishment.
Instead, they model calmness and emotional regulation. When a child misbehaves, hits, or throws a tantrum, there’s no punishment. The parent waits until the child is calm — then acts out…
