A compilation of parenting quotes for expectant parents as well as all those who enjoy parenting.
If you have never been hated by your child you have never been a parent. ~Bette Davis
Your children need your presence more than your presents. ~Jesse Jackson
A parent’s love is whole, no matter how many times divided. ~Robert Brault
A mother who is really a mother is never free. ~Honore de Balzac
The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Osho
It’s not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can’t tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it myself. ~Joyce Maynard
A baby is born with a need to be loved – and never outgrows it. ~Frank Howard Clark
If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. ~Abigail Van Buren
Even as kids reach adolescence, they need more than ever for us to watch over them. Adolescence is not about letting go. It’s about hanging on during a very bumpy ride. ~Ron Taffel
Mothers – especially single mothers – are heroic in their efforts to raise our nation’s children, but men must also take responsibility for their children and recognize the impact they have on their families’ well-being. ~Evan Bayh
Mothers all want their sons to grow up to be president, but they don’t want them to become politicians in the process. ~John F. Kennedy
The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. ~Theodore Hesburgh
How pleasant it is for a father to sit at his child’s board. It is like an aged man reclining under the shadow of an oak which he has planted. ~Voltaire
To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one’s own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him. ~Buddha
We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves. ~Henry Ward Beecher
Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence. ~Plato
Success for me its to raise happy, healthy human beings. ~Kelly LeBrock
Girls are the future mothers of our society, and it is important that we focus on their well-being. ~Miriam Makeba
Children that are raised in a home with a married mother and father consistently do better in every measure of well-being than their peers who come from divorced or step-parent, single-parent, cohabiting homes. ~Todd Tiahrt
Love is staying up all night with a sick child – or a healthy adult. ~David Frost
We are apt to forget that children watch examples better than they listen to preaching. ~Roy L. Smith
If kids come to educators and teachers from strong, healthy functioning families, it makes our job easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job more important. ~Barbara Colorose
Studies show that children best flourish when one mom and one dad are there to raise them. ~John Boehner
Having a baby changes the way you view your in-laws. I love it when they come to visit now. They can hold the baby and I can go out. ~Matthew Broderick
Children are educated by what the grown-up is and not by his talk. ~Carl Jung
I get whatever placidity I have from my father. But my mother taught me how to take it on the chin. ~Norma Shearer
I regret not having had more time with my kids when they were growing up. ~Tina Turner
Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. ~Charles R. Swindoll
Parents should not smoke in order to discourage their kids from smoking. A child is more likely to smoke when they have been raised in the environment of a smoker. ~Christy Turlington
Few things are more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of their own. ~Doug Larson
I’ve said it before, but it’s absolutely true: My mother gave me my drive, but my father gave me my dreams. Thanks to him, I could see a future. ~Liza Minelli
We criticize mothers for closeness. We criticize fathers for distance. How many of us have expected less from our fathers and appreciated what they gave us more? How many of us always let them off the hook? ~Ellen Goodman
I had no idea that mothering my own child would be so healing to my own sadness from my childhood. ~Susie Bright
To me luxury is to be at home with my daughter, and the occasional massage doesn’t hurt. ~Olivia Newton-John
If you’re asking your kids to exercise, then you better do it, too. Practice what you preach. ~Bruce Jenner
The well-being and welfare of children should always be our focus. ~Todd Tiahrt
Most American children suffer too much mother and too little father. ~Gloria Steinem
My father was a farmer and my mother was a farmer, but, my childhood was very good. I am very grateful for my childhood, because it was full of gladness and good humanity. ~Roberto Benigni
You have to support your children to have a healthy relationship. ~Connie Sellecca
Parentage is a very important profession, but no test of fitness for it is ever imposed in the interest of the children. ~George Bernard Shaw
The family teaches us about the importance of knowledge, education, hard work and effort. It teaches us about enjoying ourselves, having fun, keeping fit and healthy. ~Kamisese Mara
We all have an interest in making sure teens grow up healthy and drug-free. ~John Walters
Analyzing Bette Davis’s Quote: “If You Have Never Been Hated by Your Child, You Have Never Been a Parent.”
Segment 1: Simple Explanation
Quick Insights:
- Bette Davis suggests a parent’s job involves more than just being liked[3][5].
- The quote implies effective parenting sometimes requires actions that might make a child angry[3][5].
- It touches on the idea that setting boundaries and disciplining children can lead to temporary resentment[1][3].
- Davis’s words highlight the necessity of making unpopular decisions for a child’s well-being[5].
- The quote recognizes that true parenting isn’t about being a child’s friend, but a guide[1][3].
- It encapsulates the difficult truth that love and discipline go hand in hand, even if it means facing a child’s displeasure[3][5].
Thorough Examination:
Bette Davis, the legendary actress, was known for her fierce independence and no-nonsense attitude. This quote, “If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent,” encapsulates a tough-love approach to raising children[7]. It suggests that parenting isn’t about being a child’s best friend; it’s about providing guidance, setting boundaries, and making difficult decisions that may not always be popular[1][3].
At its core, the quote speaks to the idea that effective parenting requires more than just love and affection. It sometimes demands actions that might evoke temporary feelings of anger or resentment from a child[3][5]. Discipline, a key component of parenting, often involves setting limits, enforcing rules, and delivering consequences for misbehavior[1][5]. While these actions are intended to teach children valuable lessons and help them grow into responsible adults, they can also lead to moments of conflict and frustration[1][5].
The quote doesn’t advocate for parents to intentionally seek their child’s hatred. Instead, it serves as a reminder that prioritizing a child’s long-term well-being over their immediate happiness is a crucial aspect of parenting[5]. It acknowledges that saying “no,” enforcing rules, and administering discipline, though unpleasant, are necessary for a child’s development[1][5].
Consider a scenario where a teenager wants to attend a party where underage drinking is likely to occur. A responsible parent, acting in the child’s best interest, would likely forbid them from going[1][5]. This decision, while potentially sparking anger and resentment in the teenager, is rooted in a desire to protect them from harm and guide them toward making responsible choices[1][5].
Davis’s quote also touches on the concept of delayed gratification. As parents, it’s our responsibility to teach children that instant gratification isn’t always the answer and that sometimes, the most rewarding outcomes require patience and sacrifice[5]. This might involve encouraging a child to save up for a desired item instead of impulsively buying it, or pushing them to persevere through a challenging academic subject[1][5].
In essence, the quote suggests that if a parent has never experienced a moment where their child is angry or disappointed with them, it might indicate that they’re not fully embracing the responsibilities of parenthood[3][5]. It’s a call to prioritize guidance and discipline, even when it means facing a child’s temporary displeasure, for the ultimate goal of raising well-adjusted, responsible individuals[1][5].
Segment 2: Logical Analysis
Quick Insights:
- The quote challenges the notion of always seeking to be liked by your child[3][5].
- It implies a willingness to endure a child’s short-term dislike for their long-term benefit[5].
- Davis’s statement suggests true parental love sometimes manifests as unpopular decisions[1][3].
- It indirectly refers to the importance of setting boundaries and enforcing discipline[1][5].
- The quote encourages parents to prioritize guidance over being a friend[1][3].
- It suggests a balanced approach where love is complemented by necessary tough decisions[3][5].
Thorough Examination:
The logical underpinning of Bette Davis’s quote lies in the understanding that effective parenting extends beyond being perpetually agreeable[3][5]. It necessitates a willingness to make decisions that, while potentially unpopular in the moment, serve the child’s long-term interests[1][5]. This perspective challenges the contemporary inclination to prioritize a child’s immediate happiness, advocating instead for a more holistic approach that integrates guidance, discipline, and, when necessary, the fortitude to withstand temporary disapproval[5].
The quote does not suggest that parents should intentionally antagonize their children. Rather, it underscores that true parental love occasionally manifests as decisions that might not resonate with a child’s immediate desires[1][3]. This could involve enforcing rules regarding screen time, homework completion, or social interactions[1][5]. While these actions might elicit frustration or even anger from the child, they are fundamentally rooted in a desire to foster responsible behavior, academic success, and overall well-being[5].
Moreover, the quote indirectly alludes to the significance of establishing boundaries[1][5]. Children often test limits, and it is the parent’s responsibility to provide a framework of expectations and consequences[1][5]. This process, while crucial for instilling self-discipline and respect for authority, can inevitably lead to conflict and temporary resentment[1][5].
The statement also encourages parents to prioritize the role of guide over that of a friend[1][3]. While a friendly and supportive relationship with one’s child is undoubtedly valuable, it should not come at the expense of providing direction, setting standards, and imparting essential life lessons[1][5].
Davis’s quote suggests a balanced approach where love is complemented by the occasional necessity for tough decisions[3][5]. It acknowledges that parenting is not always about being liked but rather about equipping children with the tools and values they need to navigate the complexities of life[1][5]. This requires a willingness to endure a child’s short-term dislike for the sake of their long-term benefit[5].
Segment 3: Practical Applications
Quick Insights:
- The quote serves as a reminder to focus on long-term well-being, not just immediate happiness[5].
- It encourages parents to set necessary boundaries, even if they are met with resistance[1][5].
- Davis’s words suggest that discipline, though challenging, is an act of love[1][3].
- It can help parents navigate difficult decisions, knowing disapproval doesn’t equal failure[5].
- The quote highlights the importance of teaching responsibility and resilience[5].
- It reminds parents that their role is to guide, prepare, and sometimes protect, not just befriend[1][3].
Thorough Examination:
The practical applications of Bette Davis’s quote are far-reaching, offering guidance for parents navigating the complexities of raising children[1][5]. It serves as a constant reminder to focus on the long-term well-being of the child, rather than solely seeking to satisfy their immediate desires[5].
One key application lies in setting boundaries and enforcing discipline[1][5]. Parents can use this quote as a mantra to steel themselves when faced with a child’s resistance to rules or consequences[1][5]. It reinforces the idea that saying “no” and implementing discipline, while challenging, are ultimately acts of love and guidance[1][3].
Davis’s words can also help parents navigate difficult decisions, such as limiting screen time, restricting certain social activities, or requiring chores[1][5]. Knowing that a child’s disapproval does not equate to parental failure can empower parents to stand firm in their decisions, even when faced with protest[5].
The quote also highlights the importance of teaching children responsibility and resilience[5]. By allowing children to experience the natural consequences of their actions, even if it leads to temporary disappointment or discomfort, parents can foster independence and problem-solving skills[1][5].
Moreover, the quote serves as a reminder that a parent’s role is to guide, prepare, and sometimes protect, not just befriend[1][3]. This means making decisions that might not be popular but are ultimately in the child’s best interest, such as steering them away from negative influences or encouraging them to pursue challenging goals[1][5].
In essence, the practical application of this quote lies in embracing the complexities of parenting, recognizing that love and discipline are not mutually exclusive, and prioritizing the long-term well-being of the child, even when it means facing their temporary disapproval[1][5].
Citations:
[1] http://bettedavis.com/index.php/quotes/
[2] https://essaypro.com/blog/1000-word-essay-writing
[3] https://www.azquotes.com/author/3703-Bette_Davis/tag/parent
[4] https://opentextbc.ca/writingforsuccess/chapter/chapter-3-putting-ideas-into-your-own-words-and-paragraphs/
[5] https://www.parents.com/inspirational-parenting-quotes-8654013
[6] https://subjectguides.york.ac.uk/academic-writing/essays
[7] https://www.bookey.app/quote-author/bette-davis
[8] https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/academicwriting