Quotes are a powerful way to motivate ourselves and others. In the face of adversity, quotes can put things into perspective and remind us that all is not lost.
I decided to put together some inspirational parenting quotes for challenging times.
A few are well-known quotations from authors or celebrities.
To make it easier for you to locate a parent quote that meets your current needs, I have categorized the quotes into subsections.
I’m hoping you enjoy these!
Table of Contents
Parenting is Hard Quotes
Thoughts that someone else is doing it better are a common source of frustration for parents.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that there are a variety of parenting techniques, even though it can be frustrating to have this thinking.
A child’s or family’s best interests could not align well with another.
It’s always a sure thing to try to be the ideal parent. Your relationship with your child will suffer as a result of the guilt and embarrassment it causes. We must take time to unwind and savor this parenting adventure, but we may also reflect and get better.
Be a good parent by not allowing self-doubt or negative thoughts to get in the way.
Instead of comparing yourself to someone who might parent differently than you, try to have faith in the choices you make.
These are hand-picked quotes that I hope inspire you!
“The thing about parenting rules is there aren’t any. That’s what makes it so difficult.” Ewan McGregor
“The universe doesn’t allow perfection.” Stephen Hawking
“Parenting has nothing to do with perfection. Perfection isn’t even the goal, not for us, not for our children. Learning together to live well in an imperfect world, loving each other despite or even because of our imperfections, and growing as humans while we grow our little humans, those are the goals of gentle parenting. So don’t ask yourself at the end of the day if you did everything right. Ask yourself what you learned and how well you loved, then grow from your answer. That is perfect parenting.” L.R. Knost, author
I hope these tough parenting quotes can reassure you that it’s okay to show your imperfections and shortcomings to your kids so they can look up to you.
Use the 80/20 rule, make an effort to get it right most of the time, and don’t worry too much about the tiny mistakes that go wrong!
Parenting Quotes for Hard Times: When Your Child is Pushing the Boundaries
Knowing what to do when your child is pushing the boundaries can be challenging as a parent. Sometimes it seems like you’re in the middle of an endless battleground.
It takes a great deal of patience!
But it will come to an end.
Things will improve.
As they move through various developmental phases and encounter various life situations, children constantly change. This implies that your relationship with them will also be dynamic and ever-evolving, and you will have influence over how it grows.
You’ll feel reassured by these quotes!
“If you have never been hated by your children you haven’t been a parent.” Bette Davis
“Any child in his right mind will test the limits. That’s his job. He’s pretty new on the planet, after all, and he’s figuring out the rules. The most common reason that children test the limits is that they really want to find out where those limits are. Children need the security of knowing that someone more experienced and knowledgeable is looking out for them. They don’t feel safe when we don’t guide and nurture. That’s why we often say that children will keep pushing until they find our limits.” Dr. Laura Markham
“It would be unhealthy for a child not to feel they could present their point of view. If your child is argumentative, congratulate yourself that they feel safe enough to share their views openly and passionately with you.” Dr Lucy Russell (This quote is taken from my article on How to Deal With an Argumentative Child.)
“If you have an argumentative or defiant child be proud that they: are practising skills for becoming a confident leader; feel safe enough to express their views; often have advanced reasoning and logic skills; and are passionate about their points of view.” Dr Lucy Russell (an extract from my article: How to Deal With an Argumentative Child)
Of course, raising a lively child—one who is strong-willed or opinionated—can be challenging at times.
However, with time, your youngster will be developing priceless leadership and assertiveness abilities.
Strong kids become strong adults who are frequently quite successful.
Parenting Quotes: When You Feel You Have Lost Your Way
Even though modern science and technology have made amazing strides that should make living easier, our lives nevertheless feel stressful and unbalanced.
Frequently, we believe that either our kids or ourselves use electronics for extended periods of time.
We could find ourselves in a pattern of recurring “bad days,” believing that we are not providing the optimal environment or lifestyle for our loved ones and ourselves. However, we have no idea where to begin to break out from this rut.
Some of my favorite quotes are included here, and I think they’re full of simple truths. They advise us to just get started, no matter how small.
When we feel disoriented or overburdened, we should remember this lesson.
They encourage us to concentrate on a single topic and to prioritize our ideals above all else.
“If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” Confucius
“It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.” L.R. Knost, Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages
“If you are stuck in a rut, do something different. Just pick one small thing”. Dr Lucy Russell (an extract from my article: How to Deal With an Argumentative Child)
“Optimists focus more on the problem itself rather than on managing emotions that may result from the problem, and are less likely to simply ignore the problem. Optimists have a greater sense of control and ownership.” Dr Lucy Russell. This quote is an extract from my article, Tips for Building Confidence in Teenagers and Children.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall
Finding the willpower to act is one of the hardest things to undertake in trying circumstances. Sticking to small steps that lead you in the correct path is the best course of action.
Parenting Quotes For Hard Times: When Your Child is Having a Difficult Time
We experience our children’s hardships with such intensity that it feels like we are experiencing them ourselves.
We wish to alleviate their suffering.
These quotations can assist you in providing for your child.
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” Eleanor Roosevelt
“All thoughts pass. All emotions pass. There is blue sky above the clouds. The blue sky represents happiness and calmness. When thought or emotion clouds are directly above us, we cannot see the blue sky. The cloud dominates and it is hard to think of anything else. But we must remember that the cloud will pass. There is blue sky beyond the cloud.” Dr Lucy Russell. This quote is an extract from my article: Helping Teens With Anxiety.
“Everything will be ok in the end. If it’s not ok, it’s not the end!” John Lennon
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind!” Dr. Seuss
“It is time for parents to teach young people that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” Maya Angelou
“Name your differences with pride.” Dr Lucy Russell (from my article: Tips for Building Confidence in Teenagers and Children)
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde
“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.” Virginia Woolf
“Don’t let the muggles get you down.” J.K. Rowling
Parent Quotes For When You Feel Overwhelmed
Acknowledging that you are not capable of handling everything is the first step towards conquering a daunting circumstance. This entails pausing and gaining some context.
A wonderful parent, in my opinion, exemplifies doing significant action in addition to resting and relaxing.
As our kids get older, we also need to acknowledge that we can’t always be there for them.
This passage by Anne Frank serves as a powerful reminder that, despite our best efforts, children are independent beings.
“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
Recall that growth isn’t linear if you are aware that your family life isn’t what you want it to be and you are working to change it so that there are more happy moments and closer relationships.
You will have days when you are thrilled with your role as a parent and your family, and days when you are just scraping by.
You’ll find comfort in the quotes below on those trying days.
“If you take a baby step and it doesn’t work out, don’t worry. Try again another day.” Dr Lucy Russell (from my article Phobia: Supporting Your Child)
If we had no Winter, the Spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” Charlotte Bronte
“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” Epictetus
“The man who moves a mountain does so by carrying away small stones.” Confucius
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” A.A. Milne
“Not everything that weighs you down is yours to carry.” Anonymous
“Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt
“Micro changes in your body language can send soothing and calming messages to your brain. Take a deep breath into your belly, soften your shoulders and relax your muscles.” Dr Lucy Russell (an extract from my article: How to deal With an Argumentative Child)
The best parenting quotes, in my opinion, either uplift or calm us. I get it from all of the quotes above!