--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When my kids become wild and unruly, I…" description: "\"When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out.\" — Erma Bombeck" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f0/erma-bombeck-780_climbs_when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-us_1686801.png" --- # When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe… ![“When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out.” quote by Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f0/erma-bombeck-780_climbs_when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-us_1686801.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f0/erma-bombeck-780_climbs_when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-us_1686801.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f0/erma-bombeck-780_climbs_when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-us_1686801.png) > “When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out.” [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parents can manage chaotic children by providing safe boundaries and then stepping back when they’re ready. **In simple terms:** Use safe limits, then let them grow. Key Takeaway Set boundaries, then release. Themes parenting boundaries growth Mood calm reflective Type advice parenting When to use this quote - family meals - playtime - discipline - learning autonomy Key Concepts child development control independence Questions to Reflect On - How do you know when to step back? - What safe limits help children thrive? A Different Perspective Boundaries may feel restrictive if too rigid. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Climbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbs/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Funny inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny-inspirational/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Kids Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids-wild-1013284/) [Mom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mom/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Mother-s-day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother-s-day-2/) [Motherhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motherhood/) [Nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Playpen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playpen-300347/) [Playpen Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playpen-finished-1013283/) [Safe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe/) [Safe Playpen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe-playpen-1013282/) [Unruly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unruly/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [If you look at little kids and wild animals, these are two groups of things that whenever I'm with them forces me to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-monaghan/if-you-look-at-little-kids-and-wild-animals-these-are-two-groups-of/) [Dominic Monaghan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-monaghan/) > [Serengeti Trek Vacation Bible School 05, where kids are wild about God!.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-cross/serengeti-trek-vacation-bible-school-05-where-kids-are-wild-about-god/) [Christopher Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-cross/) > [ I finally realized that this 'place' that I kept bursting into \[on a psychedelic experience\] was somebody's idea of a playpen. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/i-finally-realized-that-this-place-that-i-kept-bursting-into-on-a/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [“Place a loaded pistol in a playpen and the babies will play with it just like any other toy, giggle, and perhaps even place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-burnham/place-a-loaded-pistol-in-a-playpen-and-the-babies-will-play-with-it/) [Terry Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-burnham/) > [We have far too many kids. At one time in the playpen there was standing-room only. It looked like a bus stop for midgets.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-diller/we-have-far-too-many-kids-at-one-time-in-the-playpen-there-was/) [Phyllis Diller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-diller/) > [My first playpen was a cardboard box.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lee-chin/my-first-playpen-was-a-cardboard-box/) [Michael Lee-Chin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lee-chin/) > [Spend at least one Mother's Day with your respective mothers before you decide on marriage. If a man gives his mother a gift certificate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/spend-at-least-one-mother-s-day-with-your-respective-mothers-before/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [What makes authentic disciples is not visions, ecstasies, biblical mastery of chapter and verse, or spectacular success in the ministry, but a capacity for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/what-makes-authentic-disciples-is-not-visions-ecstasies-biblical/) [Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/) > [“Smartass Disciple: Master, why do some people so stubborn and unruly ? Master of Stupidity: Only when you want them do according to your wish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/smartass-disciple-master-why-do-some-people-so-stubborn-and-unruly/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [People always ask my mom what I did as a kid. My mom says, "He wasn't a bad kid. He was never an unruly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-the-cable-guy/people-always-ask-my-mom-what-i-did-as-a-kid-my-mom-says-he-wasn-t-a/) [Larry the Cable Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-the-cable-guy/) > [Busy old fool, unruly Sophie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-wynne-jones/busy-old-fool-unruly-sophie/) [Diana Wynne Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-wynne-jones/) > [The mother of three notoriously unruly youngsters was asked whether or not she'd have children if she had it to do over again. 'Yes',…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-finkelstein/the-mother-of-three-notoriously-unruly-youngsters-was-asked-whether/) [David Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-finkelstein/) > [But while capitalism may be a convenient scapegoat, it did not cause any of these problems. Indeed, whatever one wishes to call the unruly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yaron-brook/but-while-capitalism-may-be-a-convenient-scapegoat-it-did-not-cause/) [Yaron Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yaron-brook/) > [We shop out of boredom, for release, for excitement, for a sense of achievement, for a sense of control over our unruly existences. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/we-shop-out-of-boredom-for-release-for-excitement-for-a-sense-of/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [“She felt wild and unruly, determined and free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/she-felt-wild-and-unruly-determined-and-free/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) ## More by Erma Bombeck > [Cats invented self-esteem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/cats-invented-self-esteem/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [To my way of thinking, the American family started to decline when parents began to communicate with their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/to-my-way-of-thinking-the-american-family-started-to-decline-when/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [The woman who says, 'My kids are all speaking to one another and they love us' is a psychopathic liar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/the-woman-who-says-my-kids-are-all-speaking-to-one-another-and-they/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [The term 'working mother' is redundant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/the-term-working-mother-is-redundant/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [To say, "Well, I write when I really get into it" is a bunch of bull. Put the paper in the typewriter, stare at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/to-say-well-i-write-when-i-really-get-into-it-is-a-bunch-of-bull-put/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [I used everything you gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/i-used-everything-you-gave-me/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Just think of all those women on the Titanic who said, 'No thank you' to desert that night. And for what?!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/just-think-of-all-those-women-on-the-titanic-who-said-no-thank-you-to/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [The mole rat is the only rodent born without a fur coat. With a good lawyer, someone would pay for that little oversight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/the-mole-rat-is-the-only-rodent-born-without-a-fur-coat-with-a-good/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [God created man, but I could do better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/god-created-man-but-i-could-do-better/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [If the nest is truly empty, who owns all this junk?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/if-the-nest-is-truly-empty-who-owns-all-this-junk/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Housework, if it is done properly, can cause brain damage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/housework-if-it-is-done-properly-can-cause-brain-damage/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Making coffee has become the great compromise of the decade. It's the only thing "real" men do that doesn't seem to threaten their masculinity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/making-coffee-has-become-the-great-compromise-of-the-decade-it-s-the/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [I have a friend who lives by a three-word philosophy: Seize the Moment. Just possibly, she may be the wisest woman on this planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/i-have-a-friend-who-lives-by-a-three-word-philosophy-seize-the-moment/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/when-i-stand-before-god-at-the-end-of-my-life-i-would-hope-that-i/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Before we sent kids to computer camps and told them they were having a good time, there was imagination among the human species.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/before-we-sent-kids-to-computer-camps-and-told-them-they-were-having/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) [Explore all 372 Erma Bombeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) ## More Climbs quotes > [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/) [Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/) > [The bumps are what you climb on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-bumps-are-what-you-climb-on/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [Life is a climb and it's a struggle getting to the top but the drop to the bottom can be quick and so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/life-is-a-climb-and-it-s-a-struggle-getting-to-the-top-but-the-drop/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [ I've often thought about that and the only suitable member to join me on that climb \[to Everest\] was George Lowe: he was strong,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-hillary/i-ve-often-thought-about-that-and-the-only-suitable-member-to-join-me/) [Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-hillary/) > [Early on a difficult climb, especially a solo climb, you’re hyper-aware of the abyss pulling at your back, constantly feeling its call, its immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/early-on-a-difficult-climb-especially-a-solo-climb-you-re-hyper-aware/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [You should climb around inside my brain, Dan. It's like this dark room surrounded by quicksand." "I know what you mean," her brother said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lerangis/you-should-climb-around-inside-my-brain-dan-it-s-like-this-dark-room/) [Peter Lerangis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lerangis/) > [Some day I'm going to climb Everest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-hillary/some-day-i-m-going-to-climb-everest/) [Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-hillary/) > [Every mountain needs someone to climb it, Every ocean needs someone to dive in, Every dream needs someone to wish it, Every adventure needs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/india-arie-2/every-mountain-needs-someone-to-climb-it-every-ocean-needs-someone-to/) [India.Arie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/india-arie-2/) > [The ascent of any route begins, in dreams at least, the autumn before. Our minds ring, involuntarily, with the alluring names of mountains, aiguilles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaston-rebuffat/the-ascent-of-any-route-begins-in-dreams-at-least-the-autumn-before/) [Gaston Rebuffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaston-rebuffat/) > [I put a lot of emphasis on how to treat people. The reason for this is simple. The real success of our personal lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-put-a-lot-of-emphasis-on-how-to-treat-people-the-reason-for-this-is/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [While cares will drop off like autumn leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/while-cares-will-drop-off-like-autumn-leaves/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Handicaps can be converted into stepping stones on which one may climb toward some worthy goal, unless they are accepted as obstacles, and used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/handicaps-can-be-converted-into-stepping-stones-on-which-one-may/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Ambition devours gold and drinks blood and climbs so high by other men's heads, that at the length in the fall, it breaks its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-wentworth-1st-earl-of-strafford/ambition-devours-gold-and-drinks-blood-and-climbs-so-high-by-other/) [Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-wentworth-1st-earl-of-strafford/) > [A part of me will always be unflyable, stuck in the climb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/a-part-of-me-will-always-be-unflyable-stuck-in-the-climb/) [Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/) > [Yeah my money's so tall that my Barbie's gotta climb it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/yeah-my-money-s-so-tall-that-my-barbie-s-gotta-climb-it/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) [Browse all 1,083 Climbs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Erma Bombeck" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-use-a-nice-safe-playpen-when/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Climbs" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-use-a-nice-safe-playpen-when/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f0/erma-bombeck-780_climbs_when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-us_1686801.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f0/erma-bombeck-780_climbs_when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-us_1686801.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f0/erma-bombeck-780_climbs_when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-us_1686801.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out.” — Erma Bombeck", "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": "Erma Bombeck", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When my kids become wild and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-use-a-nice-safe-playpen-when/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/when-my-kids-become-wild-and-unruly-i-use-a-nice-safe-playpen-when/#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 } } ] } ```