Skip to content

Children Quote by Walter Mischel

“I made a pact with my three-year-old thumb-sucking daughter that if she stopped sucking her thumb, I would stop sucking my pipe.” quote by Walter Mischel
Download Open image
“I made a pact with my three-year-old thumb-sucking daughter that if she stopped sucking her thumb, I would stop sucking my pipe.”

Walter Mischel

About This Quote

Source Interview: Parenting Strategies, 2015

Reciprocal agreements can motivate behavior change, using shared stakes to break habits.

In simple terms: Shared deals help quit bad habits.

Key Takeaway

Create mutual incentives for change.

Themes

habit change parenting motivation

Mood

practical encouraging

Type

self‑help psychological

When to use this quote

  • child behavior
  • addiction recovery
  • family routines

Key Concepts

behavioral economics psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What mutual benefit can you offer?
  • How will you enforce the pact?
A Different Perspective

One‑sided deals may fail.

3.7 out of 5 (8 ratings)

More by Walter Mischel

Explore all 12 Walter Mischel quotes

More Children quotes

Browse all 62,396 Children quotes