Advice Quote by Anna Quindlen
“Recently a young mother asked for advice. What, she wanted to know, was she to do with a 7-year-old who was obstreperous, outspoken, and inconveniently willful? "Keep her," I replied… The suffragettes refused to be polite in demanding what they wanted or grateful for getting what they deserved. Works for me.”
About This Quote
The speaker advises a mother to embrace her willful child, likening the child's assertiveness to suffragettes’ unapologetic demand for rights, suggesting empowerment over compliance.
In simple terms: Encourage assertive children.
Key Takeaway
Strength lies in unapologetic self‑advocacy.
Themes
parenting
empowerment
women’s history
Mood
encouraging
defiant
Type
parenting advice
historical analogy
When to use this quote
- school discipline
- family negotiations
- y‑building workshops
Key Concepts
assertiveness training
historical analogy
Practical Applications
- Model respectful assertiveness
- Teach negotiation skills
Questions to Reflect On
- When does assertiveness become entitlement?
- How can parents balance guidance with autonomy?
A Different Perspective
Not all willful behavior is constructive; boundaries still needed.
