Children Quote by Anna Quindlen
“What had I expected of the first child? Everything. Rocket scientist. Neurosurgeon. Designated hitter. We talked wisely at cocktail parties about the sad mistake our mothers had made in pinning all their hopes and dreams on us. We were full of it.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Mother’s Burden, 2004
Parents project their unfulfilled ambitions onto children, creating unrealistic expectations.
In simple terms: Parents often push children into their own dreams.
Key Takeaway
Allow children to define their own paths.
Themes
parenting
expectations
identity
pressure
Mood
introspective
empathetic
Type
psychological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career choices
- family dynamics
- personal growth
- mental health
Key Concepts
intergenerational dreams
self‑actualization
Questions to Reflect On
- What dreams are truly yours?
- How can parents support without projecting?
A Different Perspective
Children may rebel or feel trapped by these expectations.
![“I first foreswore motherhood when I was about eight years old. ... [Children] were annoying. We were loud and sneaky and broke things. As an eight-year-old, maybe I was simply mortified by the prospect of being saddled with myself.” quote by Lionel Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ba/lionel-shriver-744_annoying_i-first-foreswore-motherhood-when-i-was_350277.jpg)
