Skip to content

Ability Quote by Frank Pittman

“The child who would be an adult must give up any lingering childlike sense of parental power, either the magical ability to solveyour problems for you or the dreaded ability to make you turn back into a child. When you are no longer hiding from your parents, or clinging to them, and can accept…” quote by Frank Pittman
Download Open image
“The child who would be an adult must give up any lingering childlike sense of parental power, either the magical ability to solveyour problems for you or the dreaded ability to make you turn back into a child. When you are no longer hiding from your parents, or clinging to them, and can accept them as fellow human beings, then they may do the same for you.”

Frank Pittman

About This Quote

Source Book: Family Dynamics, 1998

Maturity requires letting go of parental dependence and seeing parents as peers, fostering mutual respect and adult relationships.

In simple terms: Adults must treat parents as equals, not caretakers.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate balanced, respectful adult relationships with parents.

Themes

maturity family independence respect growth

Mood

thoughtful hopeful serious

Type

psychological reflective advice

When to use this quote

  • family therapy
  • personal growth
  • boundary negotiation
  • intergenerational dialogue

Key Concepts

Psychology boundary setting adult development

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you support your parents as equals?
  • What boundaries help maintain mutual respect?
A Different Perspective

Changing dynamics can cause emotional discomfort and resistance.

2.5 out of 5 (8 ratings)

More by Frank Pittman

Explore all 77 Frank Pittman quotes

More Ability quotes

Browse all 9,457 Ability quotes