Betty Wright Quotes

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

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

I think I'm a much better father as an older man than I was with my first kids. Occasionally, I have to yell at the little guys, but they don't take me seriously. 'Listen to the old guy,' they say. 'Isn't he great? He's mad.'

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

You don't need a foreign policy expert to tell you empty threats and hollow promises don't work. Ask any parent of a rebellious teenager. If you don't make good on the threats, you're asking for worse behavior next time.

I say to my kids all the time - and this is absolutely true - I always say, 'Who's the boss?' and they go, 'You are.'

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 you have to be a little bit strict. You can't be friend and their parent in a lot of situations, especially in this day and age where it's so dangerous for kids. So there's a bit of sternness, I guess, in the way I raise my kids.

For me, the battle is finding the balance between wanting to spend time with my boys and then having enough perspective to still be the disciplinarian and, like, not be in the best friend business.

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.

My mother's not a political person. She just doesn't want me to be mean... sometimes I have to be mean. It's like a parent or a teacher. Sometimes for the good of everybody you have to be a little bit strong, a little bit confrontational.

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

I don't know if I'm a strict parent or a pushover.

I'm turning into a stricter dad.

My mother did all she could to control me, but at age 14 she sent me to a military school.

My parents never really lecture me.

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

There were six kids in our family, and I grew up fast. I had to do a lot of things on my own. I was a rebellious teenager. That's why coming into the film business was good for me because it gave me some discipline. Once I became an actor, I had to grow up a little more.

I feel like a teenager myself, so I appreciate it when the kids think you're all right.

I always had an easier time with adults. Somehow, I was always old! I still feel old.

I will have to earn trust and respect from my kids.

I don't think I gave my mom too much trouble as a teenager.

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

I am more of the disciplinarian and the bad cop at home. Since Mahesh spoils our son, I have to balance it out.

My mom was the organized enforcer. When someone crossed the line, mom was pretty clear-minded about how to... correct that error. But my dad led by his example, so we never wanted to do anything wrong that would, that would upset him or disturb him.