It's not easy to be a parent. So if you're a first-time parent, you'll certainly need all the help you can get. While there will always be very challenging days, these are not an excuse to be a bad parent. But don't worry. Sometimes, you need just a little inspiration to get you by and remind you just how awesome the journey can be.
Here are several inspirational quotes from people that have faced the same parenting ups and downs that have you laughing and crying. These quotes are from mothers just like you who reached the other side and maybe are even better for it.
Get inspired by their little nuggets of wisdom that will get you through the most challenging times. Here are some great positive parenting quotes to inspire you and fill your cup with hope.
#1 Parenting Quote on Courage
“My mother's gifts of courage to me were both large and small. The latter are woven so subtly into the fabric of my psyche that I can hardly distinguish where she stops, and I begin.”
― Maya Angelou
Courage is by all means necessary in parenting. As a parent, you must gather all your courage to go through the daily challenges of caring for and supporting your young child. What feels like you are facing blindly, you must be brave no matter what weather you face. Your child relies on your courage and learns from what you do in every situation, so staying calm and showing your kids your courage is so impactful.
Showing courage and teaching it to your children is the greatest gift to give them. As Maya Angelou put it, the gift of courage from her mom deeply penetrated her. As a result, she used that courage to get through the hurdles that came her way later on in her life.
#2 Parenting Quote on Hardships
“Once you sign on to be a Mother, 24/7 is the only shift they offer.”
– Jodi Picoult
It's not easy to be a mother because it is a job that is all-consuming. Sometimes you can't even get one minute to yourself. On the flip side, it is also a lifetime job that brings so much depth and joy.
Whenever you feel tired of all the duties and chores of being a mother, know that you're not alone. All mothers worldwide are going through the same challenges, especially new parents. Together we are able to raise wonderful children who go on to be great humans.
#3 Parenting Quote on Making Difficult Decisions
“The thing about parenting rules is there aren't any. That's what makes it so difficult.”
— Ewan McGregor
As much as you would like to learn the rules of being a parent before you become one, there are no one-size fits all parenting manuals available. More often than not, parents learn on the fly. So, no matter how often you become a parent, you'll know a new parenting rule each time.
It's okay to think on your feet. For as long as that undaunting parent's love guides you, you could never go wrong. There may be many parenting styles and there is one just for you. The most important thing is to just focus on teaching the skills you want to see your child display and then give loads of positive reinforcement.
#4 Parenting Quote on Setting an Example
“There is but one way to train up a child in the way he should go, and that is to travel it yourself.” ― Abraham Lincoln
You are your child's first teacher, and your children look up to you. They trust you fully in the early stages of their lives. The most effective way to teach children is to show them how to do things and not to helicopter them. Children don't learn as effectively when parents are constantly nagged and bubble-wrapped.
They need to learn from their own mistakes and they first do that by watching you. They will respond better to rules and instructions if you're a great role model to them.
#5 Parenting Quote on Encouragement and Support
“Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.”
― Lady Bird Johnson
Encouraging your children to be their best is an endless process. Kids believe whatever their parents say, so set your kids up for success at a very early age. That means using positive visual language. Get your kids seeing and feeling themselves completing tasks and aching success
When we lovingly encourage our kids, they get empowered enough to do anything. Use the best words of affirmation to push them through life's challenges and to gain coping skills.
#6 Parenting Quote on Self-Care
“To be a good parent, you need to take care of yourself so that you can have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family.”
— Michelle Obama
Being a parent is a full-time job. But that shouldn't mean you'll forget yourself altogether. Go ahead and schedule time for yourself without feeling guilty. Remember that you must take good care of yourself to take good care of your family, so prioritizing even 10 minutes a day for calming the brain can make a big difference.
There's nothing wrong with having those little pleasures without the kids once in a while but sometimes moms feel guilty. I get it because our kids need us all the time.
Everyone should reward themselves for being great parents and that can be accomplished in little ways. Prioritizing sleep is one of those ways to take care of yourself that benefits everyone in the family because you will feel good and have more patience. Your kids seeing you have routine self-care is also a great way to role model stress management.
#7 Parenting Quote on Family Strifes
“If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent.”
― Bette Davis
There is no perfect faultless parent-child relationship, and even the easiest of kids will get super angry at times when they don't get what they want. Disagreements with your children and family members will come and go. As a child grows, they start to learn things independently and want more autonomy.
Children can have big emotions and say they hate their parents when they don't get things their way. Serving some tough love is part of parenting too. Children must learn discipline, obedience, and self-control to get far.
There will simply come a time when they won't need you as much. Your kids temporarily “hating you” doesn't necessarily mean this strife will last. You have to practice as much patience and good communication as much as you can.
#8 Parenting Quote on Guidance
“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.”
― Anne Frank
Realize that your children will eventually live their own lives and we want to give them the skills to be good decision-makers. When they're young, the burden is upon you to show them the right direction and let them anonymously make decisions and mistakes. When we over-parent, it is a surefire way to ruin a child's mental health.
Leading through example is important but ultimately we have to watch from a safe distance as our kids learn to cope with disappointment. Parents can only guide their children to prepare them for adulthood. But ultimately, whatever they make of themselves is their decision.
#9 Parenting Quote on Perfection
“There is no such thing as a perfect parent, so just be a real one.”
― Sue Atkins
As a human being prone to errors, you can never be the perfect mother or father. But you can always be a good one. Be honest with yourself, your family, and your children. Let them know when you're tired or lonely. Celebrate with them when you're happy or excited. It's all about good communication and being real with your kids.
Your children would not require a higher standard of perfection from you but wow we can be awfully tough on ourselves. What is the most important thing is that you love yourself and not be so hard on yourself.
#10 Parenting Quote on Inspiration
“You aren't going to save the world on your own. But you might inspire a generation of kids to save it for all of us. You would be amazed at what inspired children can do.”
― Jane Goodall
Some people feel worthless after becoming parents because they have little time to do anything else other than care for their children. They thought they couldn't give back to the community or contribute anything of value now that all they could do were parenting chores.
Bringing up a child is a noble task. Society needs many well-trained and highly inspired children to change the world. As parents, you play a big part in shaping the world, so don't ever think you're nothing.
#11 Parenting Quote on Forgiveness
“A child needs your love most when he deserves it least.”
― Erma Bombeck
We're all humans, and we all make mistakes. Your child may be behavioral, challenging to take care of, and constantly making you feel like you are at your wit's end. But that also means they need love the most.
Even if you're a good mom, it doesn't always mean that your child's behaviors are easy, and that's not entirely your fault. You might be a special needs mom or have a child with mental health challenges.
Our role as parents is to create good human beings and that comes through a lot of loving support. We should never personalize their behavior and know that most of the time, they aren't acting up on purpose. It is important to find the reason for their mischief because they may be struggling from within. That means they need you more than ever.
#12 Parenting Quote on Strength
“Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.”
― Barbara Kingsolver
You're a mother, that means you are strong. Mothers are bigger than all the difficult times and bad days combined. When we put our minds to something, there is absolutely nothing that can break you down.
You may be an imperfect parent who is cranky once in a while, but you are real. You always come through at the right moment and do absolutely anything for your children.
And if you are a special needs parent, man you are extra tough because you have to fight at 504 or IEP meetings, find the right treatments and make sure your kid has friends. These things need an extra level of strength from parents because, without your fight, your child might not get what they need.
#13 Parenting Quote on Exhaustion
“Being a parent is absolutely exhausting and draining, along with all the joy and love.”
― Anne Lamott
As a parent, you'll have sleepless nights and tiring days. But that doesn't go without the rewards of parenthood. Children are a bundle of joy. Looking through the eyes of these little people would make you feel that all the pain is worth it.
Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”
Are you looking for SOLUTIONS for your struggling child or teen?
Dr. Roseann and her team are all about solutions, so you are in the right place!
There are 3 ways to work with Dr. Roseann:
You can get her books for parents and professionals, including: It’s Gonna Be OK™: Proven Ways to Improve Your Child’s Mental Health, Teletherapy Toolkit™ and Brain Under Attack: A Resource For Parents and Caregivers of Children With PANS, PANDAS, and Autoimmune Encephalopathy.
If you are a business or organization that needs proactive guidance to support employee mental health or an organization looking for a brand representative, check out Dr. Roseann’s media page and professional speaking page to see how we can work together.
Dr. Roseann is a Children’s Mental Health Expert and Licensed Therapist who has been featured in/on hundreds of media outlets including The Mel Robbins Show, CBS, NBC, PIX11 NYC, Today, FORBES, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Business Insider, Women’s Day, Healthline, CNET, Parade Magazine and PARENTS. FORBES called her, “A thought leader in children’s mental health.”
She coined the terms, “Re-entry panic syndrome” and “eco-anxiety” and is a frequent contributor to media on mental health.
Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge has three decades of experience in working with children, teens and their families with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, concussion, dyslexia and learning disability, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression and mood disorder, Lyme Disease, and PANS/PANDAS using science-backed natural mental health solutions such as supplements, magnesium, nutrition, QEEG Brain maps, neurofeedback, PEMF, psychotherapy and other non-medication approaches.
She is the author of three bestselling books, It’s Gonna Be OK!: Proven Ways to Improve Your Child's Mental Health, The Teletherapy Toolkit, and Brain Under Attack. Dr. Roseann is known for offering a message of hope through science-endorsed methods that promote a calm brain.
Her trademarked BrainBehaviorResetⓇ Program and It’s Gonna be OK!Ⓡ Podcast has been a cornerstone for thousands of parents facing mental health, behavioral or neurodevelopmental challenges.
She is the founder and director of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health, Neurotastic™Brain Formulas and Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC. Dr. Roseann is a Board Certified Neurofeedback (BCN) Practitioner, a Board Member of the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society (NRBS), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) and an Amen Clinic Certified Brain Health Coach. She is also a member of The International Lyme Disease and Associated Disease Society (ILADS), The American Psychological Association (APA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
© Roseann-Capanna-Hodge, LLC 2023
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.
