Empathy is always a good place to start; and I generally agree with what you've said. However... > True empathy is easier to achieve in parent->child relations

Empathy is always a good place to start; and I generally agree with what you've said. However... > True empathy is easier to achieve in parent->child relationship than any other kind of relationship. I disagree with the above statement. Empathy is easiest when attachments are fewest. This does not describe the typical parent-child relationship. I think parent->child empathy may be easy for many because they are very much like their children and their children are going through very similar experiences to their own. I, on the other hand, have lead a very different life than the life my child is very fortunate to be living. I am fortunate my child is similar to me in many aspects so I do get glimpses of understanding; but my child is also very different from me so it is not always easy. Not to toot my own horn, but people have praised me for both my empathy towards others and my parenting skills. I work very hard at being a good parent. I am very attentive. I listen. I consult. I read. I think, and I act. But I find empathy to be probably most difficult in this relationship than in any other I've had.