--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Having children, entering the realm of…" description: "\"Having children, entering the realm of parents and parenthood, changes our relationship to the world in ways we could not have anticipated and might no..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/kim-brooks-10671_child_having-children-entering-the-realm-of-pa_2410740.jpg" --- # Having children, entering the realm of parents and… ![“Having children, entering the realm of parents and parenthood, changes our relationship to the world in ways we could not have anticipated and might not have signed up for. Before I had children, for example, I believed strongly in the nobility of suffering.” quote by Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/kim-brooks-10671_child_having-children-entering-the-realm-of-pa_2410740.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/kim-brooks-10671_child_having-children-entering-the-realm-of-pa_2410740.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/kim-brooks-10671_child_having-children-entering-the-realm-of-pa_2410740.jpg) > “Having children, entering the realm of parents and parenthood, changes our relationship to the world in ways we could not have anticipated and might not have signed up for. Before I had children, for example, I believed strongly in the nobility of suffering.” [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parenthood reshapes our worldview, revealing unexpected challenges and altering prior beliefs about suffering. **In simple terms:** Having children changes how we see the world and suffering. Key Takeaway Embrace the new perspective parenthood brings. Themes parenthood worldview suffering growth Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - family life - career decisions - personal development - social expectations Key Concepts psychology life transition Questions to Reflect On - How has parenthood altered your values? - Do you still see suffering as noble? A Different Perspective The quote may overgeneralize experiences; not all parents share this shift. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Changes Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changes-relationship-921997/) [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Having children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-children/) [Parenthood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenthood/) [Parenthood Changes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenthood-changes-2417154/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents Parenthood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents-parenthood-6068895/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Parenthood changes things a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alastair-cook/parenthood-changes-things-a-lot/) [Alastair Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alastair-cook/) > [Parenthood changes your outlook on life. Makes you realize what things are important. The responsibility is huge. Just to have that responsibility in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bosh/parenthood-changes-your-outlook-on-life-makes-you-realize-what-things/) [Chris Bosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bosh/) > [“But the truth is, there's little even the most organized people can do to prepare themselves for having children. They can buy all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/but-the-truth-is-there-s-little-even-the-most-organized-people-can-do/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [Having children tests even the strongest of couples because it changes everything forever. For the most part, these changes are positive, but there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coleen-nolan/having-children-tests-even-the-strongest-of-couples-because-it/) [Coleen Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coleen-nolan/) > [If you really stop resisting someone or stop judging them or stop being afraid of them or stop imagining they're going to do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/if-you-really-stop-resisting-someone-or-stop-judging-them-or-stop/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) > [We only hurt others because we don't love ourselves. Learning to truly love yourself changes your relationship with everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-h-mcgill/we-only-hurt-others-because-we-don-t-love-ourselves-learning-to-truly/) [Bryant H. McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-h-mcgill/) > [If we want to make permanent meaningful changes in our relationship dynamics, we should address the real cause, the images we carry in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/if-we-want-to-make-permanent-meaningful-changes-in-our-relationship/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [Women always left me because I wouldn't commit, but then nothing changes a relationship like commitment. If you move in with someone, you lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemmy/women-always-left-me-because-i-wouldn-t-commit-but-then-nothing/) [Lemmy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemmy/) > [When you make a living from something, it changes your relationship with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-gleeson/when-you-make-a-living-from-something-it-changes-your-relationship/) [Jack Gleeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-gleeson/) > [There is an energy field between humans. And, when we reach out in passion, it is met with an answering passion and changes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/there-is-an-energy-field-between-humans-and-when-we-reach-out-in/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [When you shoot on film, you don't know whether you've got it or not until you get the film processed, and so it changes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-henson/when-you-shoot-on-film-you-don-t-know-whether-you-ve-got-it-or-not/) [Bill Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-henson/) > [“Although mindfulness does not remove the ups and downs of life, it changes how experiences like losing a job, getting a divorce, struggling at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/although-mindfulness-does-not-remove-the-ups-and-downs-of-life-it/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [Government health care changes the relationship between the citizen and the state, and, in fact, I think it's an assault on citizenship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/government-health-care-changes-the-relationship-between-the-citizen/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [“Because no one person changes a relationship." --Margaret Evans, BTH”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-kehoe/because-no-one-person-changes-a-relationship-margaret-evans-bth/) [Kristen Kehoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-kehoe/) > [The decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial in any love story. It changes the relationship of two people much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ludwig/the-decision-to-kiss-for-the-first-time-is-the-most-crucial-in-any/) [Emil Ludwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ludwig/) ## More by Kim Brooks > [I got an MFA in fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/i-got-an-mfa-in-fiction/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [I allow myself to feel fear without always capitulating to it... You don't have to live your life by fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/i-allow-myself-to-feel-fear-without-always-capitulating-to-it-you-don/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [When I first learned I was pregnant with my son, I had only two firm convictions about parenting: I knew it was important, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/when-i-first-learned-i-was-pregnant-with-my-son-i-had-only-two-firm/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [I have a profound and unshakable love of good eating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/i-have-a-profound-and-unshakable-love-of-good-eating/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [“That’s why I hadn’t talked to you for a while. But man, did I miss hearing your sweet voice.” Sandy was surprised. Mark was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/that-s-why-i-hadn-t-talked-to-you-for-a-while-but-man-did-i-miss/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [The desire to keep television out of our son's life was one of the few parenting priorities my husband and I agreed on from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/the-desire-to-keep-television-out-of-our-son-s-life-was-one-of-the/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [I had never intended to be a stay-at-home-mom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/i-had-never-intended-to-be-a-stay-at-home-mom/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [When I earned my diploma from the University of Virginia in the spring of 2000, it never occurred to me before my senior year…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/when-i-earned-my-diploma-from-the-university-of-virginia-in-the/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [It shouldn't be normal to be anxious all the time about your children, so women should seek mental health help if they're having excessive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/it-shouldn-t-be-normal-to-be-anxious-all-the-time-about-your-children/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [I think that the expectation on parents has changed from giving your children shelter and love and support and guidance to this idea that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/i-think-that-the-expectation-on-parents-has-changed-from-giving-your/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [As a teenager, I'd longed to get my driver's license so I could get away from my parents. Then I'd longed to go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/as-a-teenager-i-d-longed-to-get-my-driver-s-license-so-i-could-get/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [I love my husband. I love my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/i-love-my-husband-i-love-my-family/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [I adore cooking and baking and holiday feasts and dining with friends and spending too much money on mind-blowing meals in wonderful restaurants, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/i-adore-cooking-and-baking-and-holiday-feasts-and-dining-with-friends/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [Motherhood was the first instance in my life where I was asked to sacrifice anything for anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/motherhood-was-the-first-instance-in-my-life-where-i-was-asked-to/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) > [I wonder if all love affairs, all marriages, all lifelong partnerships, aren't in some ways a turning away from the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/i-wonder-if-all-love-affairs-all-marriages-all-lifelong-partnerships/) [Kim Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) [Explore all 64 Kim Brooks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/) ## More Child quotes > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [“Children's lives are always beginning and adults' lives are always ending. Or is it the opposite? Your childhood is always ending and your adult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-espach/children-s-lives-are-always-beginning-and-adults-lives-are-always/) [Alison Espach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-espach/) > [“As parents who make every effort we can to raise our children in loving security, we do not need to feel more guilt than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/as-parents-who-make-every-effort-we-can-to-raise-our-children-in/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [I want to make my music and be a happy woman, a good wife, a good mom and one day hopefully have a child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leann-rimes/i-want-to-make-my-music-and-be-a-happy-woman-a-good-wife-a-good-mom/) [LeAnn Rimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leann-rimes/) > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [We're raising children who have little tolerance for disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-re-raising-children-who-have-little-tolerance-for-disappointment/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I'm a weirdo and an only child. That comes together to create one-woman shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seales/i-m-a-weirdo-and-an-only-child-that-comes-together-to-create-one/) [Amanda Seales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seales/) > [“Every child is born as angel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-child-is-born-as-angel/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/to-assist-a-child-we-must-provide-him-with-an-environment-which-will/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Since I was a little child, my nose - I think it's too big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celine-dion/since-i-was-a-little-child-my-nose-i-think-it-s-too-big/) [Celine Dion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celine-dion/) > [if we center our lives on BMWs, RVs, VCRs, PCs and the other acronyms of consumerism, we cannot expect our children to do otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnetta-b-cole/if-we-center-our-lives-on-bmws-rvs-vcrs-pcs-and-the-other-acronyms-of/) [Johnnetta B. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnetta-b-cole/) > [Bring up your children in the way you think other peoples children should go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/bring-up-your-children-in-the-way-you-think-other-peoples-children/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/) [Sheila Kamerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-kamerman/) > [My first three manuscripts were epic fantasy - like high fantasy - and then the fourth one was a historical fantasy about Mozart as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/my-first-three-manuscripts-were-epic-fantasy-like-high-fantasy-and/) [Marie Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-lu/) [Browse all 10,700 Child quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Having children, entering the realm of parents and parenthood, changes our relationship to the world in ways we could not have anticipated and might not have signed up for. Before I had children, for example, I believed strongly in the nobility of suffering.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kim Brooks" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/having-children-entering-the-realm-of-parents-and-parenthood-changes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Child" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/having-children-entering-the-realm-of-parents-and-parenthood-changes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/kim-brooks-10671_child_having-children-entering-the-realm-of-pa_2410740.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/kim-brooks-10671_child_having-children-entering-the-realm-of-pa_2410740.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/kim-brooks-10671_child_having-children-entering-the-realm-of-pa_2410740.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Having children, entering the realm of parents and parenthood, changes our relationship to the world in ways…” — Kim Brooks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kim Brooks", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-brooks/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Having children, entering the realm of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/having-children-entering-the-realm-of-parents-and-parenthood-changes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-brooks/having-children-entering-the-realm-of-parents-and-parenthood-changes/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```