Children Quote by James Dobson
“Real crying usually lasts two minutes or less, but may continue for five. After that point, the child is merely complaining... I would require him to stop the protest crying, usually by offering him a little more of whatever caused the original tears.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Strong-Willed Child, 1995
Children’s brief crying is often a protest; after a short period they may just be complaining, so address the cause and stop the protest.
In simple terms: Short cries are protests; stop them by fixing the cause.
Key Takeaway
Identify cause, soothe quickly.
Themes
parenting
child behavior
emotions
Mood
practical
empathetic
Type
parenting
psychology
When to use this quote
- parent‑child conflict
- public tantrums
- early childhood
Key Concepts
developmental psychology
behavior management
Questions to Reflect On
- How to differentiate protest from genuine distress?
- When is it appropriate to ignore a child's protest?
A Different Perspective
Children may continue crying despite being soothed.
