--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't badger people without children into…" description: "\"Don't badger people without children into admitting the secret desire for children you're sure they have to you! Don't badger anyone! Leave the badgeri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf1/mallory-ortberg-7200_admitting_don-t-badger-people-without-children-int_526806.jpg" --- # Don't badger people without children into admitting the… ![“Don't badger people without children into admitting the secret desire for children you're sure they have to you! Don't badger anyone! Leave the badgering to the badgers.” quote by Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf1/mallory-ortberg-7200_admitting_don-t-badger-people-without-children-int_526806.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf1/mallory-ortberg-7200_admitting_don-t-badger-people-without-children-int_526806.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf1/mallory-ortberg-7200_admitting_don-t-badger-people-without-children-int_526806.jpg) > “Don't badger people without children into admitting the secret desire for children you're sure they have to you! Don't badger anyone! Leave the badgering to the badgers.” [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pressuring people about parenthood is intrusive and disrespectful, especially when assumptions are unfounded. **In simple terms:** Don’t push others about having kids. Key Takeaway Respect personal boundaries. Themes privacy respect assumptions Mood thoughtful considerate Type advice ethical When to use this quote - family gatherings - online forums - friend conversations Key Concepts social etiquette personal autonomy Questions to Reflect On - How do you gauge someone’s comfort before discussing personal topics? - What boundaries do you set for sensitive subjects? A Different Perspective Assuming desires can cause discomfort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Admitting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admitting/) [Badger People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/badger-people-4434037/) [Badgering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/badgering-1600829/) [Badgering Badgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/badgering-badgers-4434036/) [Badgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/badgers/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Leave Badgering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leave-badgering-4434035/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) [Secret desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret-desire/) ## Related quotes > [Human language is lit with animal life: we play cats-cradle or have hare-brained ideas; we speak of badgering, or outfoxing someone; to squirrel something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/human-language-is-lit-with-animal-life-we-play-cats-cradle-or-have/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [You can't make people like you under the best of circumstances, and you certainly can't make them like you while you're actively badgering them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-hax/you-can-t-make-people-like-you-under-the-best-of-circumstances-and/) [Carolyn Hax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-hax/) > [Everything is made out of Magic, leaves and trees, flowers and birds, badgers and foxes and squirrels and people. So it must be all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/everything-is-made-out-of-magic-leaves-and-trees-flowers-and-birds/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [I therefore invite you all," Mr Fox went on, 'to stay here with me for ever.' For ever!' they cried. 'My goodness! How marvellous!'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/i-therefore-invite-you-all-mr-fox-went-on-to-stay-here-with-me-for/) [Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/) > [ \[Leafpool\] waved her tail in greeting as she padded past Cloudtail and Daisy; as she left the clearing she heard Cloudtail meowing, "This time… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/leafpool-waved-her-tail-in-greeting-as-she-padded-past-cloudtail-and/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [We shall creep out quietly into the butler's pantry--" cried the Mole. "--with out pistols and swords and sticks--" shouted ther Rat. "--and rush…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-grahame/we-shall-creep-out-quietly-into-the-butler-s-pantry-cried-the-mole/) [Kenneth Grahame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-grahame/) > [Well, I'm more lopsided than a one-legged badger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/well-i-m-more-lopsided-than-a-one-legged-badger/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [I'm running for Governor, and this Honey Badger is ready to fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gessler/i-m-running-for-governor-and-this-honey-badger-is-ready-to-fight/) [Scott Gessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gessler/) > [From a conservation issue alone, you'd have to say there are too many badgers. A bigger growth in the badger population is not good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/princess-anne/from-a-conservation-issue-alone-you-d-have-to-say-there-are-too-many/) [Princess Anne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/princess-anne/) > [Cubans understand that theirs is a country that provides sanctuary for people fleeing oppression. As a nation, they are very proud of this stance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/assata-shakur/cubans-understand-that-theirs-is-a-country-that-provides-sanctuary/) [Assata Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/assata-shakur/) > [One of the recurring philosophical questions is: 'Does a falling tree in the forest make a sound when there is no one to hear?'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/one-of-the-recurring-philosophical-questions-is-does-a-falling-tree/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [It’s probably the most unpopular policy I’m responsible for. I know it is very unpopular, culling badgers. But I believe it is the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/it-s-probably-the-most-unpopular-policy-i-m-responsible-for-i-know-it/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) > [Who is Alice?" asked mother. "Alice is somebody that nobody can see," said Frances. "And that is why she does not have a birthday.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hoban/who-is-alice-asked-mother-alice-is-somebody-that-nobody-can-see-said/) [Russell Hoban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hoban/) > [“Badgers swarm out of the sand; Talk and walk, don't run or stand. Pritaries bite and bite again; Kick and shout and run like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-k-harper/badgers-swarm-out-of-the-sand-talk-and-walk-don-t-run-or-stand/) [Tara K. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-k-harper/) > [I couldn't be more chuffed if I were a badger at the start of the mating season!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holloway/i-couldn-t-be-more-chuffed-if-i-were-a-badger-at-the-start-of-the/) [Ian Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holloway/) ## More by Mallory Ortberg > [Not wanting to give everyone in your life one of your kidneys is not the same thing as hoping they die of kidney failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/not-wanting-to-give-everyone-in-your-life-one-of-your-kidneys-is-not/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [I agree that biphobia is real, but I think it's absolutely worth considering that someone who "despises" having sex with her husband - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/i-agree-that-biphobia-is-real-but-i-think-it-s-absolutely-worth/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [If you get a dog, take care of your dog! You can just not have a dog if you don't feel like taking care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/if-you-get-a-dog-take-care-of-your-dog-you-can-just-not-have-a-dog-if/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [It is so tempting to return rudeness with rudeness!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/it-is-so-tempting-to-return-rudeness-with-rudeness/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [I think that it's a great idea to have honest conversations about children before getting married. I also think it's impossible to promise someone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/i-think-that-it-s-a-great-idea-to-have-honest-conversations-about/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [Don't beat yourself up over what you dream about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/don-t-beat-yourself-up-over-what-you-dream-about/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [One of the glorious things about being a person in the world is that you don't have to worry about whether or not someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/one-of-the-glorious-things-about-being-a-person-in-the-world-is-that/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [You need to be able to express your resentment and sense of loss in a way that doesn't damage your partner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/you-need-to-be-able-to-express-your-resentment-and-sense-of-loss-in-a/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [Some people give gifts in order to bewilder, confuse, and manipulate their recipients.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/some-people-give-gifts-in-order-to-bewilder-confuse-and-manipulate/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [Unlike celibacy, which people choose, asexuality is an intrinsic part of who we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/unlike-celibacy-which-people-choose-asexuality-is-an-intrinsic-part/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [The mere idea of asking a family member if they intentionally stopped sending me an annual bonus makes me feel like breaking out in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/the-mere-idea-of-asking-a-family-member-if-they-intentionally-stopped/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [You have a right to be treated professionally at work, and it's your supervisor's job to make sure all their employees can perform their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/you-have-a-right-to-be-treated-professionally-at-work-and-it-s-your/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [We are all going to die, sometimes even in the middle of a lease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/we-are-all-going-to-die-sometimes-even-in-the-middle-of-a-lease/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [o one is right when it comes to destination weddings. It’s a big ask, requesting people take time off work and fly off to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/o-one-is-right-when-it-comes-to-destination-weddings-it-s-a-big-ask/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) > [I love the art history ones because it's so little work for me. There's so many paintings that when I look at them, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallory-ortberg/i-love-the-art-history-ones-because-it-s-so-little-work-for-me-there/) [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) [Explore all 93 Mallory Ortberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) ## More Admitting quotes > [I think there's a lot of power in admitting that you don't know everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-williamson/i-think-there-s-a-lot-of-power-in-admitting-that-you-don-t-know/) [Kit Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-williamson/) > [“The truth is I do love you. Admitting that means opening myself up to all that pain when you leave. After you realize this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-moran/the-truth-is-i-do-love-you-admitting-that-means-opening-myself-up-to/) [Kelly Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-moran/) > [“Admitting we're not heroic is when we're the most heroic of all”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dorian-scrubs/admitting-we-re-not-heroic-is-when-we-re-the-most-heroic-of-all/) [John Dorian- scrubs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dorian-scrubs/) > [“Maybe that is what growing up was all about. It was about changing your mind. Opening it right up. Admitting to yourself that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-haig/maybe-that-is-what-growing-up-was-all-about-it-was-about-changing/) [Matt Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-haig/) > [Admitting weakness seems to be such a severe psychic threat for Bush that when he makes a mistake it's safer just to reinforce it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-brown/admitting-weakness-seems-to-be-such-a-severe-psychic-threat-for-bush/) [Tina Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-brown/) > [Another person is, at the heart of it, unknowable. And if you cannot know a person enough to always guess what they’re capable of,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/another-person-is-at-the-heart-of-it-unknowable-and-if-you-cannot/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [The first step is always admitting you have a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-first-step-is-always-admitting-you-have-a-problem/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only tough thing is admitting to my wife how much a certain article of clothing costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taye-diggs/the-only-tough-thing-is-admitting-to-my-wife-how-much-a-certain/) [Taye Diggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taye-diggs/) > [There is a difference between admitting and confessing. Admitting involves softening, making excuses for things that cannot be excused; confessing just names the crimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/there-is-a-difference-between-admitting-and-confessing-admitting/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Nobody likes me!" "I wish I could like you, Charlie Brown, but I can't... If I were to like you, it would be admitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-schulz/nobody-likes-me-i-wish-i-could-like-you-charlie-brown-but-i-can-t-if/) [Charles M. Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-schulz/) > [how can he love me then not? He went,he ran. And I cannot bring him back. Yet I left the door metaphorically wide open,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freya-north/how-can-he-love-me-then-not-he-went-he-ran-and-i-cannot-bring-him/) [Freya North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freya-north/) > [First and foremost, be faithful to your superiors, keep all promises, refuse the friendship of all who are not like you; and if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/first-and-foremost-be-faithful-to-your-superiors-keep-all-promises/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Oust me if you want, but if I stepped down, I would be admitting guilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-temer/oust-me-if-you-want-but-if-i-stepped-down-i-would-be-admitting-guilt/) [Michel Temer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-temer/) > [I think that lawyers are terrible at admitting that they're wrong. And not just admitting it; also realizing it. Most lawyers are very successful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/i-think-that-lawyers-are-terrible-at-admitting-that-they-re-wrong-and/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [Courageous? Courageous would have been admitting weakness and leaving Dauntless, no matter what shame accompanied it. Pride is what killed Al, and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/courageous-courageous-would-have-been-admitting-weakness-and-leaving/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) [Browse all 302 Admitting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admitting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't badger people without children into admitting the secret desire for children you're sure they have to you! Don't badger anyone! 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