--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What would happen, they conjectured, if…" description: "\"“What would happen, they conjectured, if they simply went on assuming their children would do everything. Perhaps not quickly. Perhaps not by the book...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/kim-edwards-3145_children_what-would-happen-they-conjectured-if-th_2382256.jpg" --- # What would happen, they conjectured, if they simply went… ![“What would happen, they conjectured, if they simply went on assuming their children would do everything. Perhaps not quickly. Perhaps not by the book. But what if they simply erased those growth and development charts, with their precise, constricting points and curves? What if they kept their…” quote by Kim Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/kim-edwards-3145_children_what-would-happen-they-conjectured-if-th_2382256.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/kim-edwards-3145_children_what-would-happen-they-conjectured-if-th_2382256.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/kim-edwards-3145_children_what-would-happen-they-conjectured-if-th_2382256.jpg) > ““What would happen, they conjectured, if they simply went on assuming their children would do everything. Perhaps not quickly. Perhaps not by the book. But what if they simply erased those growth and development charts, with their precise, constricting points and curves? What if they kept their expectations but erased the time line? What harm could it do? Why not try?”” [Kim Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-edwards/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Questioning rigid expectations can free us from limiting timelines, allowing organic growth and flexibility. **In simple terms:** Dropping strict timelines can foster natural development. Key Takeaway Allow flexibility in expectations and timing. Themes expectations growth flexibility time development Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - Parenting - career planning - education - personal development Key Concepts Education theory Life coaching Psychology Questions to Reflect On - What expectations could you loosen? - How would flexible timelines affect your goals? A Different Perspective Removing expectations entirely may cause lack of direction or motivation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Disability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disability/) [Growth And Development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth-and-development/) ## Related quotes > [“They laughed good-humoredly, mocking the sense of placelessness that comes when a child’s development is not sheltered under the great umbrella of the bell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcdermott/they-laughed-good-humoredly-mocking-the-sense-of-placelessness-that/) Jeanne McDermott > [I'm not alive. People believe memories grow vague, are erased by time, since nothing endures against the passage of time. That's the difference; time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-delbo/i-m-not-alive-people-believe-memories-grow-vague-are-erased-by-time/) Charlotte Delbo > [Things you regret that you have done, are erased by time. Things you regret that you have not done, remain with you forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/things-you-regret-that-you-have-done-are-erased-by-time-things-you/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“A race that rejected the idea of personal sacrifice would surely be erased from time's records before long.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/a-race-that-rejected-the-idea-of-personal-sacrifice-would-surely-be/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) ## More by Kim Edwards > [In writing, I want to be remembered for telling good stories in beautiful and powerful language, using the poetry of words to reflect the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-edwards/in-writing-i-want-to-be-remembered-for-telling-good-stories-in/) [Kim Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-edwards/) > [Its impossible to control the reception of your work - the only thing you can control is the experience of writing itself, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-edwards/its-impossible-to-control-the-reception-of-your-work-the-only-thing/) [Kim Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-edwards/) > [My first job was in a nursing home - a terrible place in retrospect. 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He held it, warming in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-edwards/he-fished-in-his-pocket-for-his-keys-and-instead-pulled-out-the-last/) [Kim Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-edwards/) > [Away from the bright motion of the party, she carried her sadness like a dark stone clenched in her palm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-edwards/away-from-the-bright-motion-of-the-party-she-carried-her-sadness-like/) [Kim Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-edwards/) > [Norah watched him, serious and utterly absorbed in his task, overcome by the simple fact of his existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-edwards/norah-watched-him-serious-and-utterly-absorbed-in-his-task-overcome/) [Kim Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-edwards/) > [“Anything can happen. But what goes wrong isn’t your fault. 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