Stephen Collins Quotes

Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends.

When you give directives to a child, especially a teenager, you must consider the nature of your child.

My parenting style is probably like that of my parents, because you do how you learn. My mother was very nurturing and loving, but very stern. She was a disciplinary. My dad was also very loving.

My parents have always had this philosophy that overindulging your children is one of the worst things you could do as a parent. It's something that was hammered into my head growing up. And while my mom and dad are not professional authorities on parenting, I can confirm from experience that they had a point.

Many people think that discipline is the essence of parenting. But that isn't parenting. Parenting is not telling your child what to do when he or she misbehaves. Parenting is providing the conditions in which a child can realize his or her full human potential.

I'm going to be a strict mum. I know that love is the most important thing - you've got to have lots of kisses and cuddles - but you also need to mix it with discipline or you'll be in a heap of trouble.

Your children don't have to fear you to respect you.

I think of discipline as the continual everyday process of helping a child learn self-discipline.

Attitudes about the rearing and education of children vary between two extremes. One, which might be labeled “authoritarian” or “coercive,” rests on an assumption that children are by nature irresponsible and lazy, and will do their schoolwork only if they are penalized for a poor performance. The opposite view might be labeled “progressive” or “democratic.” It rests on the assumption that children who are brought up with love, trust, and clear but kind leadership are eager to grow up and be like their parents, eager to explore, learn, master skills, and take on responsibility; they need guidance but not sternness or punishment.

I think the key to being a good parent is to individualize your love for each child.

Honestly, I regret not having spanked my kids.

To bring up a child well, all a parent needs to do is be extremely honest with the child.

All children will do things that you may not want them to. That's part of parenting.

In order to influence a child, one must be careful not to be that child's parent or grandparent.

I won't say I am a strict mother, but discipline is important. Timing and routine are important for kids.

The important thing is that when you correct your children, they see what they've done wrong and why you're upset.

It's important to show children love, affection and balance and invest time in their moral upbringing.

Parenting is the hardest thing I have ever done. I tried to find the balance between the strict, traditional Chinese way I was raised, which I think can be too harsh, and what I see as a tendency in the West to be too permissive and indulgent. If I could do it all again, I would, with some adjustments.

You can instill fear in your kids and get them to mind, but they won't function better in the world and your relationship will suffer greatly.

The best way to direct kids is to be natural and honest.

If you have a child, you're improvising with rules all day long, and some of them are total lies.

As much as you don't like disciplining your kids, you have to sometimes. Kids want that structure, that leadership, that guidance. I think that's what I try to give my children.

Even though your kids will consistently do the exact opposite of what you're telling them to do, you have to keep loving them just as much.

I think what children need is love, security, stability, consistency, and kindness.

Parents should have perfect control over their own spirits, and with mildness and yet firmness bend the will of the child until it shall expect nothing else but to yield to their wishes.