Children Quote by John Bradshaw
““A very young child cannot understand that his dad is a sick alcoholic. Children are limited in logical ability. Their earliest way of thinking is through feelings (felt thought). Children are also egocentric. This doesn’t mean they are selfish in the usual meaning of that word. They are not morally selfish. Egocentric thinking means that a child will take everything personally. Even if a parent dies, a child can personalize it.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Family Secrets, John Bradshaw, 1990
Children lack logical capacity and view events through feelings, making them egocentric but not selfish; they personalize experiences, even loss.
In simple terms: Kids process life emotionally, taking things personally.
Key Takeaway
Support emotional development, avoid labeling selfish.
Themes
child development
emotion
egocentrism
parenting
loss
Mood
empathetic
supportive
insightful
Type
psychological
educational
When to use this quote
- parent‑child conversations
- school counseling
- grief support groups
Key Concepts
psychology
developmental theory
family dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can adults help children differentiate personal feelings from external events?
- What strategies reduce egocentric distress?
A Different Perspective
May overgeneralize child behavior.
