--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a parent you are never, ever dealing…" description: "\"“As a parent you are never, ever dealing just with the words and actions of your children. You are always also dealing with the thing that controls the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/paul-david-tripp-1637_child_as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-j_2044447.png" --- # As a parent you are never, ever dealing just with the… ![“As a parent you are never, ever dealing just with the words and actions of your children. You are always also dealing with the thing that controls their words and behavior: the heart.” quote by Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/paul-david-tripp-1637_child_as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-j_2044447.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/paul-david-tripp-1637_child_as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-j_2044447.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/paul-david-tripp-1637_child_as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-j_2044447.png) > ““As a parent you are never, ever dealing just with the words and actions of your children. You are always also dealing with the thing that controls their words and behavior: the heart.”” [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Children's behavior is rooted in their heart, not just external actions. **In simple terms:** Kids act from their hearts. Key Takeaway Address the heart, not just behavior. Themes parenting empathy psychology Mood reflective supportive Type parenting psychological When to use this quote - family meetings - discipline strategies - emotional coaching - conflict resolution Key Concepts attachment theory emotional development Questions to Reflect On - What heart issues are influencing your child's behavior? - How can you nurture a healthy heart in your child? A Different Perspective May simplify complex child development factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Words and actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-and-actions/) ## Related quotes > [“I named those actions, they became part of me,as children do share the same blood and qualities with their parents... I think I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-an-elo/i-named-those-actions-they-became-part-of-me-as-children-do-share-the/) [Bela Anĝelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-an-elo/) > [Be positive, as positive thoughts become your word, your words become your behavior, your behavior becomes your habit, your habit becomes your value and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/be-positive-as-positive-thoughts-become-your-word-your-words-become/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [The basic difference between being assertive and being aggressive is how our words and behavior affect the rights and well being of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-anthony-bower/the-basic-difference-between-being-assertive-and-being-aggressive-is-2/) Sharon Anthony Bower > [Integrity means congruence. Words and behavior match.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/integrity-means-congruence-words-and-behavior-match/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [What truly leads the evolutionary procession, in other words, is behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ardrey/what-truly-leads-the-evolutionary-procession-in-other-words-is/) [Robert Ardrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ardrey/) > [Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/keep-your-words-positive-because-your-words-become-your-behavior/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [“This means that my biggest, ongoing problem as a dad is not my children, it’s me. My children don’t cause me to do and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/this-means-that-my-biggest-ongoing-problem-as-a-dad-is-not-my/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [Appreciation is about letting your lover know not only that you are listening and that you are physically connected as with the first two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola-http-wwwamoreloveforlifecom/appreciation-is-about-letting-your-lover-know-not-only-that-you-are/) Kemmy Nola Http://wwwamoreloveforlifecom > [“With best thoughts, words and actions we align our past, present and future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-dallas-jr/with-best-thoughts-words-and-actions-we-align-our-past-present-and/) [John R. Dallas Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-dallas-jr/) > [Others do not define you - you define yourself through your words and actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-handel/others-do-not-define-you-you-define-yourself-through-your-words-and/) [Karen Handel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-handel/) > [“Scattered across the Roman Empire, it was only natural for the gospel writers to distance themselves from the Jewish independence movement by erasing, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/scattered-across-the-roman-empire-it-was-only-natural-for-the-gospel/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [“In order to build a truly wise society devoid of any kind of existential crisis, it is imperative that the individuals foster a healthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/in-order-to-build-a-truly-wise-society-devoid-of-any-kind-of/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [May your thoughts, words and actions arise from love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/may-your-thoughts-words-and-actions-arise-from-love/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [Wisdom teaches us to do, as well as to talk; and to make our words and actions all of a colour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/wisdom-teaches-us-to-do-as-well-as-to-talk-and-to-make-our-words-and/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [“I choose to choose few words each day. Yes! few words that count. Few words that can make impact. Few words that talk much.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/i-choose-to-choose-few-words-each-day-yes-few-words-that-count-few/) [Ernest Agyemang Yeboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/) ## More by Paul David Tripp > [It is a sweet thing that we serve a dissatisfied God who has destinations in mind for us that we would never choose for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/it-is-a-sweet-thing-that-we-serve-a-dissatisfied-god-who-has/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“DECEMBER 1 You have one place of hope, security, and rest. It is found in these words: “God is love.” It is something every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/december-1-you-have-one-place-of-hope-security-and-rest-it-is-found/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“Trust is being so convinced that you can rely on the integrity, strength, character, and faithfulness of another that you are willing to place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/trust-is-being-so-convinced-that-you-can-rely-on-the-integrity/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory” (Rev. 19:6–7). On into eternity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/hallelujah-for-the-lord-our-god-the-almighty-reigns-let-us-rejoice/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“But this book is not a theology of kingdom, nor an exposition of the kingdom passages in the Bible. No, it is simply a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/but-this-book-is-not-a-theology-of-kingdom-nor-an-exposition-of-the/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“Biblical literacy does not dispel all confusion and mystery from your life because while God reveals his will for you in the Bible, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/biblical-literacy-does-not-dispel-all-confusion-and-mystery-from-your/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“Your theology won't always work toward your obedience, because your use of theology is dictated by the condition of your heart. If your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/your-theology-won-t-always-work-toward-your-obedience-because-your/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“In the center of the kingdom of God, you do not find a gargantuan palace inhabited by an unapproachable king. No, in the center…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/in-the-center-of-the-kingdom-of-god-you-do-not-find-a-gargantuan/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“True humanity is always connected to glory, and true glory can only be found in the One who is glory, the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/true-humanity-is-always-connected-to-glory-and-true-glory-can-only-be/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [Love is willing self-sacrifice for the good of another that does not require reciprocation or that the person being loved is deserving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/love-is-willing-self-sacrifice-for-the-good-of-another-that-does-not/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“in every moment when you are parenting, you are being parented. In every moment when you are called to give grace, you are being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/in-every-moment-when-you-are-parenting-you-are-being-parented-in/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [Do you require yourself to remember? In order to live as you can and should, you first must remember who you are and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/do-you-require-yourself-to-remember-in-order-to-live-as-you-can-and/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“We are all capable of fighting for what has little value while forgetting things of transcendent value.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/we-are-all-capable-of-fighting-for-what-has-little-value-while/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“The bottom line: each of our lives is shaped by the war between the kingdom of god and the kingdom of self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/the-bottom-line-each-of-our-lives-is-shaped-by-the-war-between-the/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [“In a fallen world there is a powerful pressure to constrict your life to the shape and size of your life. There is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/in-a-fallen-world-there-is-a-powerful-pressure-to-constrict-your-life/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) [Explore all 219 Paul David Tripp quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) ## More Child quotes > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [“Children's lives are always beginning and adults' lives are always ending. Or is it the opposite? Your childhood is always ending and your adult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-espach/children-s-lives-are-always-beginning-and-adults-lives-are-always/) [Alison Espach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-espach/) > [“As parents who make every effort we can to raise our children in loving security, we do not need to feel more guilt than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/as-parents-who-make-every-effort-we-can-to-raise-our-children-in/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [I want to make my music and be a happy woman, a good wife, a good mom and one day hopefully have a child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leann-rimes/i-want-to-make-my-music-and-be-a-happy-woman-a-good-wife-a-good-mom/) [LeAnn Rimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leann-rimes/) > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [We're raising children who have little tolerance for disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-re-raising-children-who-have-little-tolerance-for-disappointment/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I'm a weirdo and an only child. That comes together to create one-woman shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seales/i-m-a-weirdo-and-an-only-child-that-comes-together-to-create-one/) [Amanda Seales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seales/) > [“Every child is born as angel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-child-is-born-as-angel/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/to-assist-a-child-we-must-provide-him-with-an-environment-which-will/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Since I was a little child, my nose - I think it's too big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celine-dion/since-i-was-a-little-child-my-nose-i-think-it-s-too-big/) [Celine Dion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celine-dion/) > [if we center our lives on BMWs, RVs, VCRs, PCs and the other acronyms of consumerism, we cannot expect our children to do otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnetta-b-cole/if-we-center-our-lives-on-bmws-rvs-vcrs-pcs-and-the-other-acronyms-of/) [Johnnetta B. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnetta-b-cole/) > [Bring up your children in the way you think other peoples children should go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/bring-up-your-children-in-the-way-you-think-other-peoples-children/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/) Sheila Kamerman > [My first three manuscripts were epic fantasy - like high fantasy - and then the fourth one was a historical fantasy about Mozart as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/my-first-three-manuscripts-were-epic-fantasy-like-high-fantasy-and/) [Marie Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-lu/) [Browse all 10,700 Child quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“As a parent you are never, ever dealing just with the words and actions of your children. You are always also dealing with the thing that controls their words and behavior: the heart.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul David Tripp" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-just-with-the-words-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Child" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-just-with-the-words-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/paul-david-tripp-1637_child_as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-j_2044447.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/paul-david-tripp-1637_child_as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-j_2044447.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/480/paul-david-tripp-1637_child_as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-j_2044447.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As a parent you are never, ever dealing just with the words and actions of your children. You are always…” — Paul David Tripp", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paul David Tripp", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“As a parent you are never,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-just-with-the-words-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/as-a-parent-you-are-never-ever-dealing-just-with-the-words-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```