--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was appalled at how children had become…" description: "\"I was appalled at how children had become the focus and gravitational center of the nuclear family around which parents orbited instead of the traditio..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a2/judith-m-bardwick-17540_action_i-was-appalled-at-how-children-had-becom_923681.jpg" --- # I was appalled at how children had become the focus and… ![“I was appalled at how children had become the focus and gravitational center of the nuclear family around which parents orbited instead of the traditional arrangement in which children orbited around their parents. This is a huge change because a critical job in early childhood is to get children…” quote by Judith M Bardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a2/judith-m-bardwick-17540_action_i-was-appalled-at-how-children-had-becom_923681.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a2/judith-m-bardwick-17540_action_i-was-appalled-at-how-children-had-becom_923681.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a2/judith-m-bardwick-17540_action_i-was-appalled-at-how-children-had-becom_923681.jpg) > “I was appalled at how children had become the focus and gravitational center of the nuclear family around which parents orbited instead of the traditional arrangement in which children orbited around their parents. This is a huge change because a critical job in early childhood is to get children weaned away from the total narcissism normal to infancy. With the children as the center of the family's actions and decisions, narcissism is at a minimum prolonged and may never significantly decline.” [Judith M Bardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-m-bardwick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The shift to child‑centered families prolongs early childhood narcissism, limiting its natural decline. **In simple terms:** Children now dominate family focus, extending infant narcissism. Key Takeaway Recognize and balance family dynamics to support healthy development. Themes family dynamics child development psychology parenting narcissism Mood reflective concerned Type analytical critical When to use this quote - parent‑child counseling - family therapy - educational programs - parenting workshops - social policy Key Concepts attachment theory family systems developmental stages Questions to Reflect On - How does child‑centered parenting affect long‑term emotional health? - What strategies can restore parental authority without stifling children? A Different Perspective May overlook benefits of child‑centered empathy and emotional bonding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Childhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Early childhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/early-childhood/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Narcissism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narcissism/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [In early childhood, children develop a set of symbols that 'stand for' things they see in the world around them... 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