Judith Viorst Quotes

Before you have children, you mostly think about the world in terms of yourself. And when you become a parent, the focus shifts to somebody else.

Being a mother adds another emotional dimension, a feel for children that I didn't have before I had one. They were a pain before.

Having a child changes your priorities. I am convinced, for me, it will be something very positive and give me even more motivation.

Once you have a small child who depends on you for every little thing, you're responsible for him. It's a huge responsibility. For me, it makes me into a more responsible person.

When you have a little 10-month-old who is climbing up your leg because you are their mountain - there's no nobler reason to get out of bed every day. There's no better reason to live, to make sure you provide as much guidance and as much room for that child to thrive.

I was surprised by how much I like being a father; surprised at what a decent father I am, because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to dump my selfishness.

Children enhance you.

I started off as many fathers do. I enjoyed the good bits, but I was wary of the responsibility. But now I love being a dad.

Children make you a better everything. Daughters open up a whole different sensibility to you. When you have children, it focuses you on them as opposed to on yourself.

There is no job more important than parenting. This I believe.

Having children makes you see the world in a completely different way. When you're responsible for those little lives, you can't slough it off or forget about it until later.

I loved raising my kids. I loved the process, the dirt of it, the tears of it, the frustration of it, Christmas, Easter, birthdays, growth charts, pediatrician appointments. I loved all of it.

It makes you more open, it gives you perspective, having a child.

There is no greater privilege in living than bringing a tiny new human being into the world and then trying to raise him or her properly during the next eighteen years. Doing that job right requires all the intelligence, wisdom, and determination you will be able to muster from day to day.

Having kids makes you think about the world differently.

People ask me, 'Is being a parent the be-all, end-all?' And I say, 'Oh, it definitely is up to the person, and it is difficult, it can be very difficult, and it can be extremely healing.' That's what I have found, that the children are mirrors. Everyone is a mirror, but children especially because they're day and night and all day long.

I'm the father of four daughters.

I feel simultaneously completely vulnerable and made wholly brave by becoming a parent. It has changed the way that I live my life. Because I want to be an example for my son.

When you become a pa, you have different priorities now, and you're not living for yourself; you're living for someone else now.

I'm a parent. I'm a mother.

Everyone who has kids that you talk to tells you, 'Wait until you have kids. It's going to change you.' You're like, 'Nah, come on. How can it change you that much?' But it changes you so much.

I'm the mother of four.

People change naturally when they have children.

Now that I'm a parent, I know that my parents were incredibly brave.

As a parent you have to do some renunciation.