Parenting Quote by Katherine Paterson
““Parents were what they were; it was not up to you to try to puzzle them out.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Bridge to Terabithia, 1977
Parents are opaque and unchangeable, relieving children from the burden of trying to understand them fully.
In simple terms: Parents are hard to understand and not your responsibility.
Key Takeaway
Accept parental limits while seeking empathy.
Themes
family
communication
generational gap
acceptance
Mood
thoughtful
empathetic
Type
reflective
educational
When to use this quote
- adolescent development
- family counseling
- parent‑child relationships
Key Concepts
psychology of family dynamics
emotional intelligence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you bridge gaps without forcing understanding?
- What strategies foster mutual respect?
A Different Perspective
Children may feel powerless, hindering healthy dialogue.
![“Parents must try to be, or at least put forth their best efforts to be, what they wish [their] children to be. It is impossible for you to be an example of what you are not.” quote by Joseph Fielding Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f99/joseph-fielding-smith-13580_children_parents-must-try-to-be-or-at-least-put-f_1191079.jpg)
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
![“I had no study in those days, not even a desk or file or bookcase to call mine alone…It might have happened sooner [the writing of work worthy of publication] had I had a room of my own and fewer children, but somehow I doubt it. For as I look back on what I have written, I can see that the very…” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc8/katherine-paterson-2365_education_i-had-no-study-in-those-days-not-even-a_294218.jpg)
