---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have a wonderful child. Then, when…"
description: "\"You have a wonderful child. Then, when he's thirteen, gremlins carry him away and leave in his place a stranger who gives you not a moment's peace. You..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/jill-eikenberry-55204_child_you-have-a-wonderful-child-then-when-he_158736.png"
---

#  You have a wonderful child. Then, when he's thirteen…

![“You have a wonderful child. Then, when he's thirteen, gremlins carry him away and leave in his place a stranger who gives you not a moment's peace. You have to hang in there, because two or three years later, the gremlins will return your child and he will be wonderful again.” quote by Jill Eikenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/jill-eikenberry-55204_child_you-have-a-wonderful-child-then-when-he_158736.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/jill-eikenberry-55204_child_you-have-a-wonderful-child-then-when-he_158736.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/jill-eikenberry-55204_child_you-have-a-wonderful-child-then-when-he_158736.png)

> “You have a wonderful child. Then, when he's thirteen, gremlins carry him away and leave in his place a stranger who gives you not a moment's peace. You have to hang in there, because two or three years later, the gremlins will return your child and he will be wonderful again.”

[Jill Eikenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-eikenberry/)

## About This Quote

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

Parenthood involves phases of joy, confusion, and renewal as children grow and change.

**In simple terms:** Children change as they grow, causing mixed feelings.

Key Takeaway

Accept change and stay supportive.

Themes

parenthood growth resilience

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

advice reflective

When to use this quote

- adolescence
- family dynamics
- parental support

Key Concepts

developmental stages emotional cycles attachment

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you maintain connection during tough teen years?
- What strategies help you stay patient?

A Different Perspective

Children may act distant during adolescence, challenging patience.

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[Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Gremlins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gremlins/) [Hang in there](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hang-in-there/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) [Thirteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirteen/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/) [Wonderful children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful-children/)

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## More by Jill Eikenberry

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