A mother should have some fantasy about her child's…
“A mother should have some fantasy about her child's future. It will increase her interest in the child, for one thing. To turn the fantasy into a program to make the child fly an airplane across the country, for example, isn't the point. That's the fulfillment of the parent's own dreams. That's different. Having a fantasy - which the child will either seek to fulfill or rebel against furiously - at least gives a child some expectation to meet or reject.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Parents' imaginative hopes for their children shape expectations, motivating growth or rebellion, but should not become the parents' own unfulfilled ambitions.
In simple terms: Parents' fantasies guide children, but shouldn't be parents' dreams.
Key Takeaway
Encourage child’s own dreams, not yours.
Themes
parenting
expectations
imagination
growth
rebellion
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career planning
- educational goals
- personal development
- family dynamics
Key Concepts
psychology
developmental theory
self‑actualization
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you support a child's dreams without projecting your own?
- What expectations foster healthy growth?
A Different Perspective
May limit child's autonomy and create pressure to meet unrealistic expectations.