--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As parents, we sometimes mistakenly…" description: "\"“As parents, we sometimes mistakenly assume that things were always this way. They weren't. The modern family is just that - modern - and all of our pl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61f/jennifer-senior-12574_parenting_as-parents-we-sometimes-mistakenly-assum_280092.jpg" --- # As parents, we sometimes mistakenly assume that things… ![“As parents, we sometimes mistakenly assume that things were always this way. They weren't. The modern family is just that - modern - and all of our places in it are quite new. Unless we keep in mind how new our lives as parents are, and how unusual and ahistorical, we won't see that world we live…” quote by Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61f/jennifer-senior-12574_parenting_as-parents-we-sometimes-mistakenly-assum_280092.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61f/jennifer-senior-12574_parenting_as-parents-we-sometimes-mistakenly-assum_280092.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61f/jennifer-senior-12574_parenting_as-parents-we-sometimes-mistakenly-assum_280092.jpg) > ““As parents, we sometimes mistakenly assume that things were always this way. They weren't. The modern family is just that - modern - and all of our places in it are quite new. Unless we keep in mind how new our lives as parents are, and how unusual and ahistorical, we won't see that world we live in, as mothers and fathers, is still under construction. Modern childhood was invented less than seventy years ago - the length of a catnap, in historical terms.”” [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parents often forget how recent modern family structures are, leading to unrealistic expectations about parenting norms. **In simple terms:** Modern families are new; remember that. Key Takeaway Recognize parenting is evolving. Themes parenting history modernity Mood reflective thoughtful Type analytical insightful When to use this quote - new parents - parenting workshops - policy discussions - educational curricula Key Concepts sociology cultural change family dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing modernity change your parenting? - What assumptions about family are you challenging? 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