---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A child identifies his parents with God…"
description: "\"A child identifies his parents with God, whether or not the adults want that role. Most children 'see' God the way they perceive their earthly fathers...."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/james-dobson-4773_adults_a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god_932088.png"
---

#  A child identifies his parents with God, whether or not…

![“A child identifies his parents with God, whether or not the adults want that role. Most children 'see' God the way they perceive their earthly fathers.” quote by James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/james-dobson-4773_adults_a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god_932088.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/james-dobson-4773_adults_a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god_932088.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/james-dobson-4773_adults_a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god_932088.png)

> “A child identifies his parents with God, whether or not the adults want that role. Most children 'see' God the way they perceive their earthly fathers.”

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Children often project divine qualities onto their parents, mirroring how they view their earthly fathers.

**In simple terms:** Kids see parents as godlike figures.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and guide children’s perceptions.

Themes

family dynamics psychology spirituality

Mood

reflective concerned

Type

advice observational

When to use this quote

- parenting
- religious education
- family counseling

Key Concepts

projection attachment authority

Questions to Reflect On

- How does this projection affect a child's faith development?
- What can parents do to model healthy authority?

A Different Perspective

Children may idealize parents, leading to unrealistic expectations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Adults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/)

## Related quotes

> [“Interesting, Miles thought. Like himself, Father Mark, as a child, had been reassured by the imagined proximity of God, whereas adults, perhaps because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-russo/interesting-miles-thought-like-himself-father-mark-as-a-child-had/)

[Richard Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-russo/)

> [Let us love our parents as God's love for us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-deloa-angeles/let-us-love-our-parents-as-god-s-love-for-us/)

[Innah Deloa Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-deloa-angeles/)

> [We were very proud in the sense that we would never take any government handouts. My parents, God bless them, never took a nickel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wahl/we-were-very-proud-in-the-sense-that-we-would-never-take-any/)

[Ken Wahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wahl/)

> [Your being born makes your parents God. You owe them your life, and they can control you. Then puberty makes you Satan, just because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/your-being-born-makes-your-parents-god-you-owe-them-your-life-and/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [We are created in the image of our heavenly parents; we are God's spirit children. Therefore, we have a vast capacity for love -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-are-created-in-the-image-of-our-heavenly-parents-we-are-god-s/)

[Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/)

> [If Only Childhood Emotions Were Here Now, I Would Only Want Love From My Parents And God, &amp; I Think I'd Be Content..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquez-brown/if-only-childhood-emotions-were-here-now-i-would-only-want-love-from/)

[Marquez Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquez-brown/)

> [I look out the window again, taking slow, deep breaths into a body too tense to move. And as I stare out at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-look-out-the-window-again-taking-slow-deep-breaths-into-a-body-too/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [I catch myself thinking 'Thank God For This' out of habit, and then I understand what he's so concerned about. What if my parents'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-catch-myself-thinking-thank-god-for-this-out-of-habit-and-then-i/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [Our children need to remember to love each other, how to honor each other, their parents, God, and their neighbors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/our-children-need-to-remember-to-love-each-other-how-to-honor-each/)

[Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/)

> [I am so worried for those people who do not even listen to what the bible say's about. The end it is coming soon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-jessenia/i-am-so-worried-for-those-people-who-do-not-even-listen-to-what-the/)

[Jess Jessenia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-jessenia/)

> [Ours was a very progressive Protestant family, but my parents were God-loving rather than God-fearing. We went to church, and I still go with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nesbitt/ours-was-a-very-progressive-protestant-family-but-my-parents-were-god/)

[James Nesbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nesbitt/)

> [“And as I stare out at the land, I think that this, if nothing else, is compelling evidence for my parents’ God, that our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-as-i-stare-out-at-the-land-i-think-that-this-if-nothing-else-is/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [If anyone in this world is greater than God, they are your parents.because God may not forgive your mistakes, but parents must forgive you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/if-anyone-in-this-world-is-greater-than-god-they-are-your-parents/)

Mak\_786

> [It needs more than ever to be stressed that the best and truest educators are parents under God. The greatest school is the family.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-j-rushdoony/it-needs-more-than-ever-to-be-stressed-that-the-best-and-truest/)

[R.J. Rushdoony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-j-rushdoony/)

> [Don't miss the oppurtunity,to honor and obey our parents,,that God given to us For they'll gone someday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariane-corbito/don-t-miss-the-oppurtunity-to-honor-and-obey-our-parents-that-god/)

[Mariane Corbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariane-corbito/)

## More by James Dobson

> [Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, and halfway closed there after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/keep-your-eyes-wide-open-before-marriage-and-halfway-closed-there/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [Respect is intended to operate on a two-way street.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/respect-is-intended-to-operate-on-a-two-way-street/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [Conceit is a weird disease - it makes everybody sick except the guy who has it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/conceit-is-a-weird-disease-it-makes-everybody-sick-except-the-guy-who/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [Since 1775, when the first Continental Congress called for a national day of prayer, there have been such events called for by almost every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/since-1775-when-the-first-continental-congress-called-for-a-national/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/i-would-not-vote-for-john-mccain-under-any-circumstances/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [A good marriage is not one where perfection reigns: it is a relationship where a healthy perspective overlooks a multitude of "unresolvables."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/a-good-marriage-is-not-one-where-perfection-reigns-it-is-a/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [Homosexuals are not monogamous. They want to destroy the institution of marriage. It will destroy marriage. It will destroy the Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/homosexuals-are-not-monogamous-they-want-to-destroy-the-institution/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [It will always hurt to be laughed at, snubbed, ignored or attacked by others. But I would remind you that the human personality grows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/it-will-always-hurt-to-be-laughed-at-snubbed-ignored-or-attacked-by/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [The Lord doesn't always remove the sources of stress in our lives...but He's always there and cares for us. We can feel His arms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/the-lord-doesn-t-always-remove-the-sources-of-stress-in-our-lives-but/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [There is only one cure for the cancer of bitterness, that is to forgive the perceived offender. Once and for all, with God's help,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/there-is-only-one-cure-for-the-cancer-of-bitterness-that-is-to/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [Marriage succeeds only as lifetime commitment with no escape clauses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/marriage-succeeds-only-as-lifetime-commitment-with-no-escape-clauses/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [You have to work to keep love alive; you have to protect it and maintain it, just like you would a delicate flower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/you-have-to-work-to-keep-love-alive-you-have-to-protect-it-and/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [To those who say Ted Bundy should burn forever in eternity I would only say, so should I, so should all of us...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/to-those-who-say-ted-bundy-should-burn-forever-in-eternity-i-would/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [Although individual temperaments vary, boys are designed to be more assertive, audacious, and excitable than girls are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/although-individual-temperaments-vary-boys-are-designed-to-be-more/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

> [The institution of the family has very few friends in Washington. There are lobbyists in Washington for every possible entity, from the possum-growers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/the-institution-of-the-family-has-very-few-friends-in-washington/)

[James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

[Explore all 106 James Dobson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/)

## More Adults 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/)

> [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/)

> [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/)

[Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/)

> [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/)

[Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/)

> [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/)

[Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/)

> [Education, for most people, means trying to lead the child to resemble the typical adult of his society . . . but for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/education-for-most-people-means-trying-to-lead-the-child-to-resemble/)

[Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/)

> [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/)

[Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/)

> [The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance”: “The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-anders-ericsson/the-role-of-deliberate-practice-in-the-acquisition-of-expert/)

K. Anders Ericsson

> [Part of life is doing stuff that you don't want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/one-who-does-not-wish-to-be-named/part-of-life-is-doing-stuff-that-you-don-t-want-to-do/)

One Who Does Not Wish To Be Named

> [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/)

[Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/)

> [Kids, if anything, are harder to write for because they are a more discerning audience. They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [On the one hand, we had great filmic spectacles that brought in big audiences, adults as well as primary and secondary school students. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-wajda/on-the-one-hand-we-had-great-filmic-spectacles-that-brought-in-big/)

[Andrzej Wajda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-wajda/)

> [It's hard to change adults, and it's hard to change it from a political position or a perceived political position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/it-s-hard-to-change-adults-and-it-s-hard-to-change-it-from-a/)

[Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/)

> [When I was a child at sixteen, I was just a child. All sixteen year-olds are just children. As much as we like them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/when-i-was-a-child-at-sixteen-i-was-just-a-child-all-sixteen-year/)

[Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/)

[Browse all 3,113 Adults quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A child identifies his parents with God, whether or not the adults want that role. Most children 'see' God the way they perceive their earthly fathers.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "James Dobson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god-whether-or-not-the-adults/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Adults"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god-whether-or-not-the-adults/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/james-dobson-4773_adults_a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god_932088.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/james-dobson-4773_adults_a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god_932088.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/james-dobson-4773_adults_a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god_932088.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A child identifies his parents with God, whether or not the adults want that role. Most children 'see' God…” — James Dobson",
                "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": "James Dobson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A child identifies his parents with...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god-whether-or-not-the-adults/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/a-child-identifies-his-parents-with-god-whether-or-not-the-adults/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
