--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Parenthood helps you be less selfish…" description: "\"Parenthood helps you be less selfish, because you don't care about anything as much as you do them.\" — Tom Fletcher" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/tom-fletcher-4373_anything_parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-bec_1885197.jpg" --- # Parenthood helps you be less selfish, because you don't… ![“Parenthood helps you be less selfish, because you don't care about anything as much as you do them.” quote by Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/tom-fletcher-4373_anything_parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-bec_1885197.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/tom-fletcher-4373_anything_parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-bec_1885197.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/tom-fletcher-4373_anything_parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-bec_1885197.jpg) > “Parenthood helps you be less selfish, because you don't care about anything as much as you do them.” [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parenthood shifts focus from self‑interest to caring for another, reducing selfishness. **In simple terms:** Kids make you think beyond yourself. Key Takeaway Prioritize others' needs as you raise children. Themes family selflessness growth Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - daily parenting - volunteering - team projects - community service Key Concepts parenting responsibility empathy Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain self‑care while caring for others? - What boundaries help keep balance? A Different Perspective Self‑sacrifice can lead to burnout if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Parenthood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenthood/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) ## Related quotes > [Yes, I'm selfish. I don't want to share you with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/yes-i-m-selfish-i-don-t-want-to-share-you-with-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Yes I'm Selfish! Because I Don't Want To Share You With Anyone...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atika-me/yes-i-m-selfish-because-i-don-t-want-to-share-you-with-anyone/) [Atika (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atika-me/) > [I feel it's selfish when you don't use your voice, because then you're just relishing the attention - you're not using it for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/i-feel-it-s-selfish-when-you-don-t-use-your-voice-because-then-you-re/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Listen up, Wanda. I know exactly what you don't want to be. But we're human, and we're selfish, and we don't always do the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/listen-up-wanda-i-know-exactly-what-you-don-t-want-to-be-but-we-re/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [“Oh, do you, Milo? You’re so selfish. You don’t see the bigger picture.” “What’s the bigger picture?” “You’re still here looking for handouts. Who’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/oh-do-you-milo-you-re-so-selfish-you-don-t-see-the-bigger-picture/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [“I know you think I’m selfish and don’t appreciate you, but it’s not true. Matt and I both know how much you’ve done for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-james/i-know-you-think-i-m-selfish-and-don-t-appreciate-you-but-it-s-not/) [Rosalind James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-james/) > [If you're gonna be selfish then don't expect people to be there for you when you need someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masha-mezz/if-you-re-gonna-be-selfish-then-don-t-expect-people-to-be-there-for/) [Masha Mezz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masha-mezz/) > [Men are selfish and don't think about anything else but them self." pg. 45](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-argov/men-are-selfish-and-don-t-think-about-anything-else-but-them-self-pg/) [Sherry Argov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-argov/) > [You madE me selfIsh because I Don't wanna share you with aNyone. .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharmaji/you-made-me-selfish-because-i-don-t-wanna-share-you-with-anyone/) [Sharmaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharmaji/) > [It's hard not to use cliches when talking about parenthood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/it-s-hard-not-to-use-cliches-when-talking-about-parenthood/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [“Parents are programmed to want the best for their kids, regardless of what they get in return. That's what love is supposed to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/parents-are-programmed-to-want-the-best-for-their-kids-regardless-of/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [I resisted parenthood for a long, long time. But having a daughter has given me a sense of hopefulness that I didn't have before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-meyer/i-resisted-parenthood-for-a-long-long-time-but-having-a-daughter-has/) [George Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-meyer/) > [The less obvious hurdle is that of preparing parents emotionally and putting forward realistic images of parenthood and motherhood. There also needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/the-less-obvious-hurdle-is-that-of-preparing-parents-emotionally-and/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [“Once the switch of parenthood is thrown, it changes you for ever & you can never escape the extra pull of humanity it gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hammond/once-the-switch-of-parenthood-is-thrown-it-changes-you-for-ever-you/) [Richard hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hammond/) > [It's difficult for people to come to the understanding that only a small minority of the people ever really get the word about life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-nightingale/it-s-difficult-for-people-to-come-to-the-understanding-that-only-a/) [Earl Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-nightingale/) ## More by Tom Fletcher > [“In years to come, people may say that the most powerful weapon in this period of the twenty-first century was not sarin gas or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/in-years-to-come-people-may-say-that-the-most-powerful-weapon-in-this/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [When Giovanna was pregnant with Buzz, I was searching so much on what it's like to be a dad. If I can provide any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/when-giovanna-was-pregnant-with-buzz-i-was-searching-so-much-on-what/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [I wanted to lose weight, but rather than going about it the sensible way, I pretty much stopped eating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/i-wanted-to-lose-weight-but-rather-than-going-about-it-the-sensible/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [We never expect to go to No 1 - though of course we always hope to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/we-never-expect-to-go-to-no-1-though-of-course-we-always-hope-to/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [In late 2011, I watched a documentary by Stephen Fry called 'The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive.' He shared his story of bipolar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/in-late-2011-i-watched-a-documentary-by-stephen-fry-called-the-secret/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [I think we had a really nice level of fame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/i-think-we-had-a-really-nice-level-of-fame/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [I love being a hands on dad I can't imagine it any other way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/i-love-being-a-hands-on-dad-i-can-t-imagine-it-any-other-way/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [After we covered Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now,' Brian May and Roger Taylor sent us a bottle of champagne and asked us if we'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/after-we-covered-queen-s-don-t-stop-me-now-brian-may-and-roger-taylor/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [Ever since I was a child, I've always been highly emotional. I'd feel excited one moment, then the polar opposite the next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/ever-since-i-was-a-child-i-ve-always-been-highly-emotional-i-d-feel/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [My dad worked for Kodak and was made redundant when I was about 14. Despite this, my parents did everything they could to help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/my-dad-worked-for-kodak-and-was-made-redundant-when-i-was-about-14/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [“Benjamin Franklin put it at a time of similiar uncertainty: “those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/benjamin-franklin-put-it-at-a-time-of-similiar-uncertainty-those-who/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [I always knew, deep down, that I'd love to be an author, but I don't think I really thought about trying to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/i-always-knew-deep-down-that-i-d-love-to-be-an-author-but-i-don-t/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [You can't help but be affected by anything negative that's written about you, even if you can shrug it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/you-can-t-help-but-be-affected-by-anything-negative-that-s-written/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [I hate the idea of parenting being this false perfect picture. It's challenging and difficult at times. I like the fact I can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/i-hate-the-idea-of-parenting-being-this-false-perfect-picture-it-s/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [I'm the least rock'n'roll person ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/i-m-the-least-rock-n-roll-person-ever/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) [Explore all 112 Tom Fletcher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) ## More Anything quotes > [I guess I've never really wanted to be anything else. 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That said, I really love Naple-style pizza.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-zakarian/comfort-food-is-really-anything-you-want-at-that-time-that-said-i/) [Geoffrey Zakarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-zakarian/) > [I haven't shut any doors, and I'm really open to anything, so I think it's just about the material and what is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-panabaker/i-haven-t-shut-any-doors-and-i-m-really-open-to-anything-so-i-think/) [Danielle Panabaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-panabaker/) > [When it really comes down to it, the job you do is more important and is more representative of who you are than your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/when-it-really-comes-down-to-it-the-job-you-do-is-more-important-and/) [Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/) > [The reason I'm drawn to it is - both the off road racing and the motorcycles on the track - it takes a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-shepard/the-reason-i-m-drawn-to-it-is-both-the-off-road-racing-and-the/) [Dax Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-shepard/) > [I never did drama at school. I did it for one term, when it was compulsory, and I hated it. Tennis was the main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-mitchell/i-never-did-drama-at-school-i-did-it-for-one-term-when-it-was/) [Luke Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-mitchell/) > [We live in such a special time when literally anything we can think of is possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-willey/we-live-in-such-a-special-time-when-literally-anything-we-can-think/) [Daniel Willey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-willey/) > [You know, I'm from Baltimore; nobody has anything. When somebody had talent, I was hiring my uncle, my cousin, you know? Getting people that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sisqo/you-know-i-m-from-baltimore-nobody-has-anything-when-somebody-had/) [Sisqo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sisqo/) > [I said to my agent, 'I want short, sharp, well-paid jobs because I haven't got time for anything else.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-whitelaw/i-said-to-my-agent-i-want-short-sharp-well-paid-jobs-because-i-haven/) [Billie Whitelaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-whitelaw/) > [I think anything that anyone writes thats any good is going to have a lot of autobiography.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-adly-guirgis/i-think-anything-that-anyone-writes-thats-any-good-is-going-to-have-a/) [Stephen Adly Guirgis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-adly-guirgis/) > [If the Bible is correct, and the Earth is only 6,000 years old, that means there were no dinosaurs, and museum curators have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-shock/if-the-bible-is-correct-and-the-earth-is-only-6-000-years-old-that/) [Ron Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-shock/) > [Don't do anything drastic like getting your eyebrows tattooed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-lee/don-t-do-anything-drastic-like-getting-your-eyebrows-tattooed/) [Greta Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-lee/) > [Whenever you define family as anything other than a man and a woman married together, you have just introduced an ethical nightmare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-evans/whenever-you-define-family-as-anything-other-than-a-man-and-a-woman/) [Tony Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-evans/) > [No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moses/no-lusting-after-your-neighbor-s-house-or-wife-or-servant-or-maid-or/) [Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moses/) Browse all 9,437 Anything quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Parenthood helps you be less selfish, because you don't care about anything as much as you do them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Fletcher" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-because-you-don-t-care-about/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Anything" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-because-you-don-t-care-about/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/tom-fletcher-4373_anything_parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-bec_1885197.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/tom-fletcher-4373_anything_parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-bec_1885197.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/676/tom-fletcher-4373_anything_parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-bec_1885197.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Parenthood helps you be less selfish, because you don't care about anything as much as you do them.” — Tom Fletcher", "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": "Tom Fletcher", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Parenthood helps you be less selfish,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-because-you-don-t-care-about/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/parenthood-helps-you-be-less-selfish-because-you-don-t-care-about/#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 } } ] } ```