--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We're finding that many parents endorse a…" description: "\"We're finding that many parents endorse a growth mindset, but they still respond to their children's errors, setbacks or failures as though they're dam..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fd/carol-s-dweck-3250_children_we-re-finding-that-many-parents-endorse_1943352.png" --- # We're finding that many parents endorse a growth mindset… ![“We're finding that many parents endorse a growth mindset, but they still respond to their children's errors, setbacks or failures as though they're damaging and harmful. If they show anxiety or overconcern, those kids are going toward a more fixed mindset.” quote by Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fd/carol-s-dweck-3250_children_we-re-finding-that-many-parents-endorse_1943352.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fd/carol-s-dweck-3250_children_we-re-finding-that-many-parents-endorse_1943352.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fd/carol-s-dweck-3250_children_we-re-finding-that-many-parents-endorse_1943352.png) > “We're finding that many parents endorse a growth mindset, but they still respond to their children's errors, setbacks or failures as though they're damaging and harmful. If they show anxiety or overconcern, those kids are going toward a more fixed mindset.” [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parents claim growth mindset but react fearfully to failure, reinforcing fixed mindset. **In simple terms:** Mixed messages hinder true growth. Key Takeaway Model calm responses to setbacks. Themes parenting mindset psychology growth fixed Mood supportive reflective Type educational psychological When to use this quote - parent‑teacher meetings - homework help - sports coaching Key Concepts developmental psychology emotional regulation learning theory Questions to Reflect On - How can parents adopt a calm stance? - What practices foster genuine growth mindset? A Different Perspective Changing deep‑seated anxiety is difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Fixed Mindset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fixed-mindset/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Growth mindset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth-mindset/) [Mindset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindset/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) ## Related quotes > [Everyone is a mixture of fixed and growth mindsets. You could have a predominant growth mindset in an area, but there can still be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/everyone-is-a-mixture-of-fixed-and-growth-mindsets-you-could-have-a/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“Building your and other capacity to be an active learner requires a growth mindset, which is the belief that people's basic qualities can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kouzes-posner/building-your-and-other-capacity-to-be-an-active-learner-requires-a/) Kouzes/Posner > [“A fixed mindset causes people to fear failure; they don’t want to try anything that might damage their current sense of ability and intelligence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/a-fixed-mindset-causes-people-to-fear-failure-they-don-t-want-to-try/) [David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/) > [When someone endorses a fixed mindset, it can limit them, even if they're successful at the moment, because if they start struggling and tumbling,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/when-someone-endorses-a-fixed-mindset-it-can-limit-them-even-if-they/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [This point is . . . crucial,” writes Dweck. “In the fixed mindset, everything is about the outcome. If you fail — or if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/this-point-is-crucial-writes-dweck-in-the-fixed-mindset-everything-is/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [You try something, it doesn't work, and maybe people even criticize you. In a fixed mindset, you say, 'I tried this, it's over.' In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/you-try-something-it-doesn-t-work-and-maybe-people-even-criticize-you/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“When people with the fixed mindset opt for success over growth, what are they really trying to prove? That they’re special. Even superior.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/when-people-with-the-fixed-mindset-opt-for-success-over-growth-what/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [I teach a freshman seminar every year, and we delve very, very deeply into their mindsets. They read scientific articles, but we also focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/i-teach-a-freshman-seminar-every-year-and-we-delve-very-very-deeply/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“Believing that your qualities are carved in stone—the fixed mindset—creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/believing-that-your-qualities-are-carved-in-stone-the-fixed-mindset/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“People can have two different mindsets, she says. Those with a “fixed mindset” believe that their talents and abilities are carved in stone. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/people-can-have-two-different-mindsets-she-says-those-with-a-fixed/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“Fixed mindset. If I have to work hard, it makes me feel like I’m not smart. Growth mindset. The harder I work, the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-anderson/fixed-mindset-if-i-have-to-work-hard-it-makes-me-feel-like-i-m-not/) Matt Anderson > [“Ethan’s parents constantly told him how brainy he was. “You’re so smart! You can do anything, Ethan. We are so proud of you, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-medina/ethan-s-parents-constantly-told-him-how-brainy-he-was-you-re-so-smart/) [John Medina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-medina/) > [“Mindfulness gives freedom from negative and fixed mindset to positive and growth mindset.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/mindfulness-gives-freedom-from-negative-and-fixed-mindset-to-positive/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [“People with a fixed mindset fear failure as they believe it makes their innate limitations visible to others, whereas those with a growth mindset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jez-humble/people-with-a-fixed-mindset-fear-failure-as-they-believe-it-makes/) Jez Humble > [“What to say instead: “You really worked hard” What should Ethan’s parents have done? Research reveals a simple solution. Rather than praising him for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-medina/what-to-say-instead-you-really-worked-hard-what-should-ethan-s/) [John Medina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-medina/) ## More by Carol S. Dweck > [“you aren’t a failure until you start to blame.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/you-aren-t-a-failure-until-you-start-to-blame/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“tune in to the messages you’re sending. Are they messages that say: You have permanent traits and I’m judging them? Or are they messages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/tune-in-to-the-messages-you-re-sending-are-they-messages-that-say-you/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [A company that cannot self-correct cannot thrive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/a-company-that-cannot-self-correct-cannot-thrive/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [...when people already know they're deficient, they have nothing to lose by trying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/when-people-already-know-they-re-deficient-they-have-nothing-to-lose/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [Most experts and great leaders agree that leaders are made, not born, and that they are made through their own drive for learning and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/most-experts-and-great-leaders-agree-that-leaders-are-made-not-born/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“Genius is not enough; we need to get the job done.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/genius-is-not-enough-we-need-to-get-the-job-done/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [Why seek out the tried and true, instead of experiences that will stretch you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/why-seek-out-the-tried-and-true-instead-of-experiences-that-will/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [What can I learn from this? What will I do next time I'm in this situation?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/what-can-i-learn-from-this-what-will-i-do-next-time-i-m-in-this/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [When we praise children for their intelligence, we tell them that this is the name of the game: Look smart; don't risk making mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/when-we-praise-children-for-their-intelligence-we-tell-them-that-this/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [We're not saying people don't need fuel for strenuous work; they just don't need it constantly. People have many more resources at hand than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/we-re-not-saying-people-don-t-need-fuel-for-strenuous-work-they-just/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“What on earth would make someone a nonlearner? Everyone is born with an intense drive to learn. Infants stretch their skills daily. Not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/what-on-earth-would-make-someone-a-nonlearner-everyone-is-born-with/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it's not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/the-passion-for-stretching-yourself-and-sticking-to-it-even-or/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [The whole point of marriage is to encourage your partner's development and have them encourage yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/the-whole-point-of-marriage-is-to-encourage-your-partner-s/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [“When people with the fixed mindset opt for success over growth, what are they really trying to prove? That they’re special. Even superior.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/when-people-with-the-fixed-mindset-opt-for-success-over-growth-what/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [I'm such an egghead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/i-m-such-an-egghead/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) [Explore all 135 Carol S. Dweck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) ## More Children quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [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/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [My school was one of the most beautiful places a child can grow up in. 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