Bigs Quote by Judith Viorst
“We can glut ourselves with how-to-raise children information . . . strive to become more mature and aware but none of this will spare us from the . . . inevitability that some of the time we are going to fail our children. Because there is a big gap between knowing and doing. Because mature, aware people are imperfect too. Or because some current event in our life may so absorb or depress us that when our children need us we cannot come through.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of Mistakes, Judith Viorst, 1995
Parents often know what to do but life’s pressures and personal imperfections can prevent them from acting, leading to inevitable failures despite good intentions.
In simple terms: Knowing isn’t enough; life gets in the way.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfection and seek support when overwhelmed.
Themes
parenting
imperfection
knowledge vs action
mental health
resilience
Mood
reflective
empathetic
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parent‑child interactions
- stressful life events
- seeking counseling
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
development
self‑compassion
Questions to Reflect On
- What support could help bridge the gap between knowing and doing?
- How do personal crises affect parenting ability?
A Different Perspective
Even with awareness, systemic barriers can limit effective parenting.
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