--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I had my child to raise all over…" description: "\"If I had my child to raise all over again,I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.I'd take my eyes..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/anonymous-1_building-self-esteem_if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-agai_2354384.jpg" --- # If I had my child to raise all over again,I'd finger paint… ![“If I had my child to raise all over again,I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.I would care to know less, and know to care more.I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.I'd stop playing…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/anonymous-1_building-self-esteem_if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-agai_2354384.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/anonymous-1_building-self-esteem_if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-agai_2354384.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/anonymous-1_building-self-esteem_if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-agai_2354384.jpg) > “If I had my child to raise all over again,I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.I would care to know less, and know to care more.I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.I'd build self esteem first, and the house later.I'd teach less about the love of power, and more about the power of love.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker wishes they had been more creative, less controlling, and more present in life, valuing experiences over strictness. **In simple terms:** Be more playful, less controlling, and present. Key Takeaway Prioritize connection over control. Themes playfulness presence parenting creativity balance Mood hopeful reflective Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - parenting - education - personal development - creative projects Key Concepts mindfulness emotional intelligence growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - What habits can you change to be more present? - How can you foster creativity in daily life? A Different Perspective Balancing guidance with freedom is challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Building self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/building-self-esteem/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [Hug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hug/) [Kites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kites/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Power of love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-of-love/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) [Teach Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teach-love/) ## Related quotes > [“If I had my child to raise all over again, I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later. I'd finger-paint more, and point the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-again-i-d-build-self-esteem-first/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I sat down and read out loud a statement on the box, a message from the Celestial realm. If I had my child to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-lynn-pearson/i-sat-down-and-read-out-loud-a-statement-on-the-box-a-message-from/) [Carol Lynn Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-lynn-pearson/) > [“God did raise a finger to stop you. Here I am. Guess which finger." ~Emma Jane Hellsbane, /Hellsbane series Book 1/”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-cuccaro/god-did-raise-a-finger-to-stop-you-here-i-am-guess-which-finger-emma/) Paige Cuccaro > [Every child has to raise itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-child-has-to-raise-itself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't see how someone can complain about something when they're just as much of a contributor, if not more so to blame for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-see-how-someone-can-complain-about-something-when-they-re/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Never forget that when you point the finger at someone, three of your own fingers are pointing back at you...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-forget-that-when-you-point-the-finger-at-someone-three-of-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People watch you closely just praying for you to mess up or make a mistake so they can point the finger.. nothin new to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-watch-you-closely-just-praying-for-you-to-mess-up-or-make-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And, at such a time, for a few of us there will always be a tugging at the heart—knowing a precious moment had gone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-at-such-a-time-for-a-few-of-us-there-will-always-be-a-tugging-at/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm glad you like him," he murmured, his hands tugging up her shirt. "Because the two of us are yours. For as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-glad-you-like-him-he-murmured-his-hands-tugging-up-her-shirt/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I get married,' said Fred, tugging at the collar of his own robes. 'I won't be bothering with any of this nonsense. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-get-married-said-fred-tugging-at-the-collar-of-his-own-robes-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The table is the number one place we pass on family stories and it's the knowledge of where your family came from that helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/the-table-is-the-number-one-place-we-pass-on-family-stories-and-it-s/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [Why building self esteem?. The benefits of having self esteem are numerous. Self esteem is strongly associated with happiness, psychological resilience, and a motivating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-r-schiraldi/why-building-self-esteem-the-benefits-of-having-self-esteem-are/) Glenn R. Schiraldi > [Wouldn't it be powerful if you fell in love with yourself so deeply that you would do just about anything if you knew it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/wouldn-t-it-be-powerful-if-you-fell-in-love-with-yourself-so-deeply/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [It is a mistake to look at someone who is self assertive and say, "It's easy for her, she has good self-esteem." One of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/it-is-a-mistake-to-look-at-someone-who-is-self-assertive-and-say-it-s/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/there-is-nothing-enlightened-about-shrinking-so-that-other-people/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Building self esteem quotes > [There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/there-is-nothing-enlightened-about-shrinking-so-that-other-people/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [It is a mistake to look at someone who is self assertive and say, "It's easy for her, she has good self-esteem." One of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/it-is-a-mistake-to-look-at-someone-who-is-self-assertive-and-say-it-s/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [Wouldn't it be powerful if you fell in love with yourself so deeply that you would do just about anything if you knew it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/wouldn-t-it-be-powerful-if-you-fell-in-love-with-yourself-so-deeply/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [Why building self esteem?. The benefits of having self esteem are numerous. Self esteem is strongly associated with happiness, psychological resilience, and a motivating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-r-schiraldi/why-building-self-esteem-the-benefits-of-having-self-esteem-are/) Glenn R. Schiraldi > [The table is the number one place we pass on family stories and it's the knowledge of where your family came from that helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/the-table-is-the-number-one-place-we-pass-on-family-stories-and-it-s/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [The deeper you love yourself, the more the universe will affirm your worth. Then you can enjoy a lifelong love affair that brings you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/the-deeper-you-love-yourself-the-more-the-universe-will-affirm-your/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/heavenly-father-we-come-before-you-today-to-ask-your-forgiveness-and/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent. It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/nobody-can-make-you-feel-inferior-without-your-consent-it-s-not-who/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [When you're a kid growing up, and you think you're gay, you know that you're different; you're often teased and it can really destroy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-louganis/when-you-re-a-kid-growing-up-and-you-think-you-re-gay-you-know-that/) [Greg Louganis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-louganis/) > [Children build self-esteem by doing things that are hard and learning what works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-christensen/children-build-self-esteem-by-doing-things-that-are-hard-and-learning/) [Clayton Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-christensen/) > [The deeper you love yourself, the more the universe will affirm your worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/the-deeper-you-love-yourself-the-more-the-universe-will-affirm-your-2/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) [Browse all 12 Building self esteem quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/building-self-esteem/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I had my child to raise all over again,I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.I would care to know less, and know to care more.I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.I'd build self esteem first, and the house later.I'd teach less about the love of power, and more about the power of love.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-again-i-d-finger-paint-more-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Building self esteem" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-again-i-d-finger-paint-more-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/anonymous-1_building-self-esteem_if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-agai_2354384.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/anonymous-1_building-self-esteem_if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-agai_2354384.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/anonymous-1_building-self-esteem_if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-agai_2354384.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I had my child to raise all over again,I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.I'd do less…” — Anonymous", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I had my child to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-again-i-d-finger-paint-more-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-had-my-child-to-raise-all-over-again-i-d-finger-paint-more-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```