--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It has become an accepted tenet that kids…" description: "\"It has become an accepted tenet that kids will rarely listen to their parents but seldom fail to imitate them. Communicating the message has never been..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/greg-boyle-3692_child_it-has-become-an-accepted-tenet-that-kid_350249.png" --- # It has become an accepted tenet that kids will rarely… ![“It has become an accepted tenet that kids will rarely listen to their parents but seldom fail to imitate them. Communicating the message has never been a good substitute for 'showing up' and embodying the message.” quote by Greg Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/greg-boyle-3692_child_it-has-become-an-accepted-tenet-that-kid_350249.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/greg-boyle-3692_child_it-has-become-an-accepted-tenet-that-kid_350249.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/greg-boyle-3692_child_it-has-become-an-accepted-tenet-that-kid_350249.png) > “It has become an accepted tenet that kids will rarely listen to their parents but seldom fail to imitate them. Communicating the message has never been a good substitute for 'showing up' and embodying the message.” [Greg Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-boyle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Children mimic behavior more than heed words; modeling is essential for teaching values. **In simple terms:** Kids copy actions, not advice. Key Takeaway Lead by example. Themes parenting modeling behavior education Mood reflective inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - family gatherings - school settings - community programs Key Concepts Social learning theory imitation Questions to Reflect On - How can you consistently model desired values? - What barriers prevent children from observing your actions? A Different Perspective Modeling alone may not change deep-seated attitudes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Embodying Message](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embodying-message-3234763/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Kids Rarely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids-rarely-3234762/) [Listen Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen-parents-483390/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) [Parents Seldom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents-seldom-3234761/) [Showing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/showing-up/) [Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will/) ## Related quotes > [I wouldn't listen to my parents, but I found out that I absorbed. 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They are well wishers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sridevi/listen-to-your-parents-respect-them-they-are-well-wishers/) [Sridevi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sridevi/) > [My parents were always playing records: My mom was really into the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac, and my dad was more Billy Squire, Whitesnake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julien-baker/my-parents-were-always-playing-records-my-mom-was-really-into-the/) [Julien Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julien-baker/) > [Not everyone's role model material, but we do have a sense of responsibility because kids listen more to us than they would their parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pepa/not-everyone-s-role-model-material-but-we-do-have-a-sense-of/) [Pepa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pepa/) ## More by Greg Boyle > [The truth is this: Brutalized, victimized children invariably will brutalize and victimize when they grow up. 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