Children Quote by Robin McKinley
““She caught her father one day at breakfast, between ministers with tactical problems and councillors with strategic ones. His face lit up when he saw her, and she made an embarrassed mental note to seek him out more often; he was not a man who had ever been able to enter into a child's games, but she might have noticed before this how wistfully he looked at her. But for perhaps the first time she was recognizing that wistfulness for what it was, the awkwardness of a father's love for a daughter he doesn't know how to talk to, not shame for what Aerin was, or could or could not do.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley, 1984
A daughter perceives her father's awkward, unspoken love, recognizing his difficulty expressing affection despite his deep care.
In simple terms: A daughter sees her dad's shy love.
Key Takeaway
Notice unspoken love in relationships.
Themes
family
parenthood
communication
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
narrative
emotional
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- parent‑child conversations
- teaching moments
Key Concepts
emotional intelligence
attachment theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you gently bridge emotional gaps?
- What signs show love when words fail?
A Different Perspective
The father may remain distant despite attempts to connect.
![“[the sheep] sidled up beside him and bumped him lovingly with its head. Val looked at it sadly. "I am sorry, you ugly creature," he said. "I have not used my magic in a long time, and I am very out of practice.” quote by Robin McKinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/21b/robin-mckinley-1591_humor_the-sheep-sidled-up-beside-him-and-bumpe_182306.jpg)
