Some Famous Parenting Quotes

Parents might feel like they’re traversing an ever-changing landscape of parenting issues, with modern problems like cyber-bullying and rising celebrity culture providing new challenges. But while the world evolves at a rapid rate, the best parenting advice stands the test of time. These 10 parenting quotes are as relevant today as they were when they were first spoken.

“Children are educated by what the grown-up is and not by his talk.” –Carl Jung

Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung was best known for his theories about personalities, but raising five children may have been his proudest achievement. Jung knew you can’t simply tell your kids what to do—you must lead by example.

“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.” –Anne Frank

Sadly she never lived to raise her own children, but Holocaust victim Anne Frank still knew a thing or two about parenting. Perhaps her family’s struggles taught her that no parent can guarantee a child’s success or failure. Instead she recognized the wisdom and morals parents can pass on to their offspring. While these tools will give children the best start, it’s ultimately up to them how they’re used.

“If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent.” –Bette Davis

The silver screen icon was all too aware of the downsides of being a parent. No doubt this mom of three had to make some hard decisions at home. There’s nothing glamorous about those occasions when your angels are cursing you out for laying down the law. Their behaviour can sting, but don’t let that weaken your resolve. The best parents know they can’t play the good cop all the time.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” –Frederick Douglass

African-American abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass knew of the importance of a strong foundation. Children thrive when they’re challenged, given responsibility and encouraged to assume leadership roles. Strong children will inevitably become strong adults.

“One thing I had learned from watching chimpanzees with their infants is that having a child should be fun.” –Jane Goodall

Parents face enormous pressure from the moms and dads around them, and themselves. But don’t let it get to you. Jane Goodall, a primatologist and mother of one, saw we’re not so different than our animal friends. Just like the chimps, we should appreciate the joys of the present rather than obsessing about the uncertainty of the future and the failures of the past.  

“The best way to make children good is to make them happy.” –Oscar Wilde

The Irish writer didn’t have his own children, but he has a point here: Children who behave the best tend to be the happiest. Those who feel neglected, misunderstood or under pressure are the ones who typically act out. Discipline is important of course, but it should never be the overriding force in a child’s life.

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