Children Quote by Lucy Maud Montgomery
““I think the most difficult thing in teaching, as well as the most interesting, is to get the children to tell you their real thoughts about things. One stormy day last week I gathered them around me at dinner hour and tried to get them to talk to me just as if I were one of themselves. I asked them to tell me the things they most wanted. Some of the answers were commonplace enough... dolls, ponies, and skates. Others were decidedly original. Hester Boulter wanted 'to wear her Sunday dress every day and eat in the sitting room.' Hannah Bell wanted 'to be good without having to take any trouble about it.' Marjorie White, aged ten, wanted to be a 'widow'. Questioned why, she gravely said that if you weren't married people called you an old maid, and if you were your husband bossed you; but if you were a widow there'd be no danger of either. The most remarkable wish was Sally Bell's. She wanted a 'honeymoon.' I asked her if she knew what it was and she said she thought it was an extra nice kind of bicycle because her cousin in Montreal went on a honeymoon when he was married and he had always had the very latest in bicycles!””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Radio broadcast, 1935
Children reveal honest desires when adults listen without judgment, exposing both simple wishes and deeper psychological motivations.
In simple terms: Kids share true wishes when adults truly listen.
Key Takeaway
Listen openly to understand children's inner worlds.
Themes
childhood
psychology
communication
wish fulfillment
Mood
curious
empathetic
Type
interview excerpt
observational
When to use this quote
- family dinner
- school counseling
- parent‑child talks
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
developmental psychology
authentic expression
adult‑child dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden wishes might your child have?
- How can you create safe spaces for honest sharing?
A Different Perspective
Adults may unintentionally filter or judge, limiting honesty.
