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Children Quote by Lorrie Moore

“But I was not especially skilled at minding children for long spells; I grew bored, perhaps like my own mother. After I spent too much time playing their games, my mind grew peckish and longed to lose itself in some book I had in my backpack. I was ever hopeful of early bedtimes and long naps.” quote by Lorrie Moore
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““But I was not especially skilled at minding children for long spells; I grew bored, perhaps like my own mother. After I spent too much time playing their games, my mind grew peckish and longed to lose itself in some book I had in my backpack. I was ever hopeful of early bedtimes and long naps.””

Lorrie Moore

About This Quote

Source Short story: “The Book of the Dead” in The Collected Stories of Lorrie Moore, 2015

The narrator struggles with caring for children, finding the responsibility draining and preferring solitary escape into reading, highlighting tension between duty and personal desire.

In simple terms: Caring for kids can feel exhausting; reading offers a personal refuge.

Key Takeaway

Balance responsibilities with personal recharge time.

Themes

parenting loneliness escape literature

Mood

thoughtful melancholic introspective

Type

personal literary

When to use this quote

  • parenting
  • reading
  • solo travel
  • creative hobbies

Key Concepts

caregiver fatigue self‑care imagination

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you manage caregiving fatigue?
  • What activities recharge you without neglecting duties?
A Different Perspective

The narrative may romanticize avoidance rather than confronting parenting challenges.

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