Kris Kristofferson Quotes

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

My son is 7 years old. I am 54. It has taken me a great many years to reach that age. I am more respected in the community, I am stronger, I am more intelligent and I think I am better than he is. I don't want to be a pal, I want to be a father.

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.

The difference between rearing a child in your 20s and one in your 50s is one of patience.

My father is not that comfortable with children, but he's a terrific father for an adult.

I do discuss things with him, but as a father, not a friend.

You don't need too much to have an agenda of how to father. You just have to be a good person. The interactions at home between you and your spouse and the way you deal with your kids in certain situations, that's what they take.

He's always been tough on me, but I've had to figure out when he's being a coach and when he's being a dad. Once I figured that out, it was much easier. It's definitely tough, something that took years to figure out. Just knowing he was looking for what's best for me, not just yelling at me as a parent. It took maturity.

I think I would make a good father. I'd be a disciplinarian.

My kids think I'm old and over the hill.

I really want to be like my mom in some ways, because I already take a lot after her already. I really like the way she treats us and disciplines us, and I think that she's just great because of how she's balanced us and all of that.

Once you've raised a child to adulthood, you can only be as demanding as your offspring allow.

Parents are trying to be friends with their kids rather than draw the line and tell them what proper public behavior would be.

Dad was a strict disciplinarian and would give us a wallop with a wooden spoon if we were out of order. But we really respected him - he didn't try to be our best friend.

The most challenging part of being a dad is self-restraint. So often your instinct is to teach and tell. I am constantly reminding myself to listen to them.

With parents, that's the only way sometimes that they can get across to their kids is by giving them an ultimatum.

I'm a fun father, but not a good father. The hard decisions always went to my wife.

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

I'm a believer in the parent first, friend second philosophy, and trying to find that balance.

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

My parents never really lecture me.

My wife tells me I need to learn to be more patient with my son.

A wise parent humors the desire for independent action, so as to become the friend and advisor when his absolute rule shall cease.

The processes of teaching the child that everything cannot be as he wills it are apt to be painful both to him and to his teacher.

In my family, if I talk back to my dad, I get in trouble.