The love a parent feels for a child is strange. There is a…
““The love a parent feels for a child is strange. There is a starting point to our love for everyone else, but not this person. This one we have always loved, we loved them before they even existed. No matter how well prepared they are, all moms and dads experience a moment of total shock, when the tidal wave of feelings first washed through them, knocking them off their feet. It's incomprehensible because there's nothing to compare it to. It's like trying to describe sand between your toes or snowflakes on your tongue to someone who's lived their whole life in a dark room. It sends the soul flying.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Parental love is an instinctive, pre‑existing bond that feels inexplicable and overwhelming, unlike any other relationship.
In simple terms: Parents love their child instinctively, before the child exists.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and cherish the unique depth of parental love.
Themes
parenthood
love
instinct
emotion
family
Mood
tender
wonderful
Type
philosophical
emotional
When to use this quote
- birth
- first moments of parenthood
- childbirth
- parent‑child bonding
Key Concepts
unconditional love
pre‑existence
emotional intensity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect expectations of parenting?
- Can love be measured?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may idealize parenthood, overlooking challenges.