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Beautiful Quote by Angela Thirkell

“It has been noticed that people who are not parents often have a peculiar fondness for children. This is sometimes attributed to a very beautiful nostalgia for a gift denied to them - dream-children, flowers that have only bloomed in imagination - but we think it is rather because they have not…” quote by Angela Thirkell
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“It has been noticed that people who are not parents often have a peculiar fondness for children. This is sometimes attributed to a very beautiful nostalgia for a gift denied to them - dream-children, flowers that have only bloomed in imagination - but we think it is rather because they have not the faintest idea how dreadful children are.”

Angela Thirkell

About This Quote

Source Novel: "The Unfortunate Marriage" by Angela Thirkell, 1935

Notes that childless adults often idealize children, but this stems from ignorance of real parenting challenges.

In simple terms: Childless people idealize kids due to ignorance.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the reality of parenting.

Themes

parenthood idealization ignorance

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

literary observational

When to use this quote

  • parenting advice
  • social expectations
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

nostalgia family dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does nostalgia shape our view of parenthood?
  • What can non‑parents learn about childrearing?
A Different Perspective

Idealization can be unrealistic and dismissive.

2.8 out of 5 (3 ratings)

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