Quotes About Parenting

We receive an e-mail from a mother who describes how her son, at age two, learned all the state capitals as an afternoon diversion and later solved three-digit arithmetic problems when he was bored in his stroller.

And to discuss them with one's own parents would have been quite impossible: horizontal divisions were far stronger in those days than vertical ones. Perhaps the psychologists were right, and the "child mind"—that convenient abstraction—matured earlier nowadays. On the other hand, she herself had outgrown dolls by the age of nine, and here was Judy, at eleven, buying a new one.

I keep in mind what Ann Dunnewold told me: when a mother takes care of herself, children absorb important lessons. "Both boys and girls learn that mothers have needs, too, which is also very important if they have children of their own," she says. If you must conquer guilt, she adds, tell yourself, 'When I take time for myself, I come back and I'm more the mother I want to be. More patient. Less reactive.

fathers who regularly do household chores, according to a University of British Columbia study, have daughters who are more likely to aspire to less stereotypically feminine careers, instead voicing an ambition to be an astronaut, professional soccer player, or geologist. When girls see fathers pulling their own weight, they receive a direct message that they are not—and should not be—destined to shoulder all the tedious work by themselves.

If you're yelling and calling names, your kid thinks, 'If I get in a disagreement, the way to resolve it is to speak more forcefully, more loudly, and to say harsher things to get my way.

Verbally cherishing your wife with compliments, for example, is a good thing for her, good for Sylvie to see, and a good thing for Sylvie to expect from her guy or gal when she grows up.

Children benefit, too, in surprising ways: research has shown that when men share housework and childcare, their kids do better in school and are less likely to see a child psychiatrist or be put on behavioral medication.

girls with more involved dads develop greater self-esteem.

Well, my dear, said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note aloud, if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness—if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.

I leave it to be settled, by whomsoever it may concern, whether the tendency of this work be altogether to recommend parental tyranny, or reward filial disobedience.

An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents.

If my children are silly, I must hope to be always sensible of it.

if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness—if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.

I hadn't showered for days, Jack hadn't stopped crying in as many, and I was wondering what the return policy was on an infant.

I went to an empty henhouse [when I was four and a half], hid in the straw at the back, and waited, and the family had no idea where I was... My mother sees this excited little girl rushing toward the house all covered in straw. Instead of getting mad at me, which would've killed the excitement, she saw my shining eyes and sat down to hear this wonderful story of how a hen lays an egg.

I know that sounds odd, but I have always felt that the English love children as long as they are polite, quiet, and well behaved. Americans seem to love children however they behave.

If you want to leave the park and your child isn't ready to go, give her a hug and say, "You're really upset right now. I know you want to stay, but it's time to leave." Then hold your child and let her experience her feelings before you move on to the next activity. If you were instead to pamper your child by letting her stay at the park longer, she doesn't have the opportunity to learn from experience that she can survive disappointment.

Children do not develop responsibility when parents and teachers are too strict and controlling, nor do they develop responsibility when parents and teachers are permissive. Children learn responsibility when they have opportunities to learn valuable social and life skills for good character in an atmosphere of kindness, firmness, dignity, and respect.

The challenge of parenting lies in finding the balance between nurturing, protecting, and guiding, on one hand, and allowing your child to explore, experiment, and become an independent, unique person, on the other.

When parents continue to dress their children after the age of three, they are robbing them of developing a sense of responsibility, self-sufficiency, and self-confidence. They are less likely to develop the belief that they are capable. Instead they feel a sense of belonging when others do things for them.

Where did parents get the crazy idea that in order to make children behave, parents should make them feel shame, humiliation, or even pain? Children are more motivated to cooperate, learn new skills, and offer affection and respect when they feel encouraged, connected, and loved.

If you are tempted to "teach" your child by guilt, shame, or punishment, you will be creating discouraging beliefs that are difficult to reverse in adulthood.

Discipline with young children involves deciding what you will do and then kindly and firmly following through, rather than expecting your child to "behave.

When Dad lost control of Mom, they both lost control of the children.