My hunch is that if we allow ourselves to give who we really are to the children in our care, we will in some way inspire cartwheels in their hearts.
Fred RogersRead
I doubt that we can ever successfully impose values or attitudes or behaviors on our children certainly not by threat, guilt, or punishment. But I do believe they can be induced through relationships where parents and children are growing together. Such relationships are, I believe, build on trust, example, talk, and caring.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Positive parenting is best achieved through nurturing relationships rather than coercion.
Fred Rogers emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships between parents and children as a foundation for instilling values and behaviors. He argues that genuine growth occurs when trust, communication, and care are present, rather than through negative reinforcement such as threats or guilt. By fostering a supportive environment, both parents and children can evolve together, creating a healthier familial bond.
Themes
ParentingRelationshipsTrustCommunicationValues
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at a parenting seminar, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of nurturing relationships with our children.
More from Fred Rogers
All quotes →Human beings need to feel that they are lovable and capable of loving.
Fred RogersRead
Listening is a very active awareness of the coming together of at least two lives. Listening, as far as I'm concerned, is certainly a prerequisite of love. One of the most essential ways of saying 'I love you' is being a receptive listener.
Fred RogersRead
I'm fairly convinced that the Kingdom of God is for the broken-hearted. You write of 'powerlessness.' Join the club, we are not in control. God is.
Fred RogersRead
The presence of a grandparent confirms that parents were, indeed, little once, too, and that people who are little can grow to be big, can become parents, and one day even have grandchildren of their own. So often we think of grandparents as belonging to the past; but in this important way, grandparents, for young children, belong to the future.
Fred RogersRead
One of the most important gifts a parent can give a child is the gift of accepting that child's uniqueness.
Fred RogersRead
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