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Before I married, I had three theories about raising children and no children. Now, I have three children and no theories.
John Wilmot
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The experience of parenting changes one's perceptions and theories about it.

This quote by John Wilmot humorously reflects the reality that having children often challenges preconceived notions and theories about parenting. Before experiencing the complexities of raising children, one might feel confident in their understanding, but the actual experience reveals the unpredictability and lack of definitive answers in parenting.

Themes

ParentingChildrenTheoriesExperienceHumor

In practice

Example use cases

Using this quote in a parenting discussion group to illustrate the unpredictability of raising kids.

More from John Wilmot

God bless our good and gracious King, Whose promise none relies on; Who never said a foolish thing, Nor ever did a wise one.
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It is a very good world to live in, To lend or to spend, or to live in; but to beg or to borrow, or to get a man's own, It is the very worst world that ever was known.
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I shall never forgive you for teaching me how to love life.
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Love, the most generous passion of the mind _x000D_ The softest refuge innocence can find
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Man differs more from man than man from beast
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For Hell and the foul fiend that rules_x000D_ God's everlasting fiery jails_x000D_ (Devised by rogues, dreaded by fools),_x000D_ With his grim, grisly dog that keeps the door,_x000D_ Are senseless stories, idle tales,_x000D_ Dreams, whimseys, and no more.
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