--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When your children are very young it is…" description: "\"“When your children are very young it is impossible to imagine a life where they will not live with you, where you will not see them every day or know ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/maureen-wheeler-118342_children_when-your-children-are-very-young-it-is_1513837.jpg" --- # When your children are very young it is impossible to… ![“When your children are very young it is impossible to imagine a life where they will not live with you, where you will not see them every day or know what they are doing. As they grow up, you gradually untangle your 'self' from their 'selves' until the day arrives when you look at your child and…” quote by Maureen Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/maureen-wheeler-118342_children_when-your-children-are-very-young-it-is_1513837.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/maureen-wheeler-118342_children_when-your-children-are-very-young-it-is_1513837.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/maureen-wheeler-118342_children_when-your-children-are-very-young-it-is_1513837.jpg) > ““When your children are very young it is impossible to imagine a life where they will not live with you, where you will not see them every day or know what they are doing. As they grow up, you gradually untangle your 'self' from their 'selves' until the day arrives when you look at your child and realize the role you play in their life is no longer a central one. It's hard to recognize that your child is independent, but it's also incredibly liberating." -- from Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story”” Maureen Wheeler ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parents gradually release control as children become independent, which is both painful and freeing. **In simple terms:** Let children grow, accept change. Key Takeaway Embrace evolving relationships. Themes parenthood independence growth loss freedom Mood nostalgic reflective Type Child:1 Children:1 Every day:0 Independent:1 Life:1 Look Child:0 Self Selves:0 Child Independent:1 Child Realize:0 When to use this quote - family life - child development - elder care - personal reflection Key Concepts psychology family dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you handle shifting roles? - What freedoms arise from independence? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [The first aim of the prepared environment is, as far as it is possible, to render the growing child independent of the adult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-first-aim-of-the-prepared-environment-is-as-far-as-it-is-possible/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [You think you know how much you can love another person, and then you have a child and you realize you didn't know. 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