Skip to content

We, as adults, are the gatekeepers, and we have to check…

“We, as adults, are the gatekeepers, and we have to check our own fears at the door because we want our children to be smarter than we are. We want them to be more fully human than we are.” quote by Jacqueline Woodson
Download Open image
“We, as adults, are the gatekeepers, and we have to check our own fears at the door because we want our children to be smarter than we are. We want them to be more fully human than we are.”

Jacqueline Woodson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Adults must confront their own fears to foster children’s greater intelligence and humanity

In simple terms: Adults need to overcome fear to help children surpass them

Key Takeaway

Check your fears before guiding children

Themes

responsibility parenting growth

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • Parent‑teacher meetings
  • family discussions
  • self‑reflection workshops

Key Concepts

Psychology education human development

Questions to Reflect On

  • What fears hold you back from supporting your child?
  • How can you model courage for them?
A Different Perspective

Fear can limit the advice adults give, leading to stagnation

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Jacqueline Woodson

Explore all 237 Jacqueline Woodson quotes

More Child quotes

Browse all 10,700 Child quotes