--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I turned 12 or 13 years old, even as…" description: "\"When I turned 12 or 13 years old, even as a dad, you can't make a kid play anymore, but up until that point, he pushed me to keep playing, and when I t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea2/billy-butler-14062_dad_when-i-turned-12-or-13-years-old-even-as_486181.jpg" --- # When I turned 12 or 13 years old, even as a dad, you can't… ![“When I turned 12 or 13 years old, even as a dad, you can't make a kid play anymore, but up until that point, he pushed me to keep playing, and when I turned 13, I didn't want to do anything else. He was just there with me at the cage every day because I wanted him to go with me and throw to me and…” quote by Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea2/billy-butler-14062_dad_when-i-turned-12-or-13-years-old-even-as_486181.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea2/billy-butler-14062_dad_when-i-turned-12-or-13-years-old-even-as_486181.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea2/billy-butler-14062_dad_when-i-turned-12-or-13-years-old-even-as_486181.jpg) > “When I turned 12 or 13 years old, even as a dad, you can't make a kid play anymore, but up until that point, he pushed me to keep playing, and when I turned 13, I didn't want to do anything else. He was just there with me at the cage every day because I wanted him to go with me and throw to me and work on what I needed to work on.” [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A father reflects on how his child's persistence kept him engaged in a sport until adolescence, after which the child's interest waned, highlighting the shift in motivation as children grow. **In simple terms:** A dad stayed involved because his kid kept him playing, but the kid lost interest at 13. Key Takeaway Recognize changing motivations and adapt activities accordingly. Themes parenting sports motivation growth relationships Mood reflective nostalgic Type personal anecdote insightful When to use this quote - coaching youth sports - family bonding - transition to teen independence - maintaining engagement Key Concepts developmental psychology intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation role modeling Questions to Reflect On - How can parents support evolving interests without pressure? - What strategies keep activities enjoyable for both child and adult? A Different Perspective The child's later disinterest may reflect broader developmental changes, not just parental influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [Today Google celebrated its 13th anniversary… That's right, Google turned 13 years old. Which explains why today when I searched for something, Google was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/today-google-celebrated-its-13th-anniversary-that-s-right-google/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [I had barely turned 12 when my parents packed me off to Doon School. 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But personally, for our family, part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-kerry/i-think-my-dad-would-make-an-incredible-president-and-it-would-be/) [Alexandra Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-kerry/) > [When I turned about 12 or 13, I realised that being funny wasn't about remembering jokes. It was about creating them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-merton/when-i-turned-about-12-or-13-i-realised-that-being-funny-wasn-t-about/) [Paul Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-merton/) > [The love for fitness is something I picked up from my dad, and I make it a point not to miss working out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naga-chaitanya/the-love-for-fitness-is-something-i-picked-up-from-my-dad-and-i-make/) [Naga Chaitanya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naga-chaitanya/) > [Look, would I think my dad would make a great president in 2016 and going forward? Of course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beau-biden/look-would-i-think-my-dad-would-make-a-great-president-in-2016-and/) [Beau Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beau-biden/) > [My obsession with hair started when I turned 12, right around the time Gwen Stefani dyed hers hot pink. After that, I would try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-gardner/my-obsession-with-hair-started-when-i-turned-12-right-around-the-time/) [Heidi Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-gardner/) > [I think a dad has to make his daughter feel that he's genuinely interested in what she's going through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-connick-jr/i-think-a-dad-has-to-make-his-daughter-feel-that-he-s-genuinely/) [Harry Connick, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-connick-jr/) > [By the time I turned 12, I was a 5-foot 10-inch social disaster. Towering over my friends was the bane of my adolescence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheri-l-dew/by-the-time-i-turned-12-i-was-a-5-foot-10-inch-social-disaster/) [Sheri L. Dew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheri-l-dew/) ## More by Billy Butler > [Even the smallest gesture can make a huge difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/even-the-smallest-gesture-can-make-a-huge-difference/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [Winning is definitely contagious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/winning-is-definitely-contagious/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [The best compliment you can give a hitter is he's a tough out; that initiates fear in a pitcher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/the-best-compliment-you-can-give-a-hitter-is-he-s-a-tough-out-that/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [I have been an everyday player my whole career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/i-have-been-an-everyday-player-my-whole-career/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [I've always been happy playing in Kansas City.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/i-ve-always-been-happy-playing-in-kansas-city/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [You always expect to hit for more power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/you-always-expect-to-hit-for-more-power/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [I love everything about Kansas City.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/i-love-everything-about-kansas-city/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [Anybody can act good to be around when they are doing really well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/anybody-can-act-good-to-be-around-when-they-are-doing-really-well/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [When you pinch-hit, you know you're getting their best guys, and usually it's a reliever and a guy that's got a really good slider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/when-you-pinch-hit-you-know-you-re-getting-their-best-guys-and/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [My track record speaks for itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/my-track-record-speaks-for-itself/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [I offer a proven track record in the big leagues that can hit left-handers or right-handers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/i-offer-a-proven-track-record-in-the-big-leagues-that-can-hit-left/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [You see certain guys enough, and you recognize pitches and stuff. 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