Parenting Quote by Lydia Davis
““Can’t you agree with me about anything?” asks the Grouch. Old Mother has to admit it: she almost always disagrees with him. Even if she agrees with most of what he is saying, there will be some small part of it she disagrees with. When she does agree with him, she suspects her own motives: she may agree with him only so that at some future time she will be able to remind him that she does sometimes agree with him.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Grouch” by Lydia Davis, 1995
A mother’s constant disagreement with her child reflects self‑doubt and the difficulty of aligning motives.
In simple terms: Mother often disagrees, questioning her own motives.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and discuss underlying motives openly.
Themes
communication
family dynamics
self‑reflection
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
thoughtful
critical
When to use this quote
- parent‑child arguments
- decision making
Key Concepts
motivation
cognitive dissonance
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do you doubt your agreement?
- How can you express agreement without suspicion?
A Different Perspective
Constant disagreement may hinder relationship growth.
![“I worked more intensively hour after hour when I was starting out [writing]. More laboriously. I'd say quantity is important as well as quality, and if you're not producing enough, make a schedule and stick to it.” quote by Lydia Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/29b/lydia-davis-3244_after-hours_i-worked-more-intensively-hour-after-hou_171566.jpg)
