RD.COM Quotes
Bryce Gruber
Kelly KuehnUpdated: Mar. 12, 2021
Need a minute to unwind from parent life? We rounded up the best parents' quotes that'll make you smile, laugh, and reflect on what it means to be a parent.
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Parents quotes you’ll always remember
Ah, parents. Where would we be without them? Being a parent is one of the most rewarding things in life, but as any parent will tell you, it can be a wild ride. If you’re looking for something to sum up the ups, the downs, and everything in between, some good parents quotes will do just the trick.
We’ve gathered a list of quotes that will make you laugh, ponder, and reflect on what it means to be a parent. It’s mixed with inspirational quotes, life quotes, and funny quotes that will make you appreciate your parents and reflect on your own parenting journey. P.S. — If you’re looking for more quotes, check out these family quotes that you’ll want to send to your loved ones ASAP.
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Unattended children are a recipe for disaster
“Thought everything would be cool if I left them alone for an 8-minute shower. Came out, 5 boxes of cereal mixed into one giant mixing bowl.” — Dax Shepard
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Actually, this makes a lot of sense
“My biggest parenting conundrum: why is it so hard to put someone who is already sleepy to sleep?” — Chrissy Teigen
RELATED: 40 Mother’s Day Quotes That Are Sure To Brighten Your Day
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Parenting is so messy
“You’re just like a human napkin for kids, like, they just wipe their face on you and stuff.” — Tina Fey
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Do you smell that?
“Ah, babies! They’re more than just adorable little creatures on whom you can blame your farts.” — Tina Fey
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Honesty is important
“‘I don’t think so Mommy!’ is what my child said after, ‘Can you please pick up the popcorn you threw all over?'” — Anna Faris
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Does alone time have a price?
“Being a father is the single greatest feeling on Earth. Not including those wonderful years I spent without a child, of course.” — Ryan Reynolds
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Pee, it’s everywhere
“Having an infant son alerts me to the fact that every man, at one point, has peed on his own face. #awesome” — Olivia Wilde
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Parenting is not a diet-friendly sport…
“It just occurred to me that the majority of my diet is made up of the foods that my kid didn’t finish.” — Carrie Underwood
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Being constantly nervous is normal
“Seven-year-old daughter walked in the room, casually confirmed, ‘You have to have a backstory to why you’re evil, right?’ And walked out.” — Kelly Oxford
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If there’s no cape, there’s no childhood
“Every generation just wants their kids to have a better ‘Spiderman’ reboot than they did.” — Conan O’Brien
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He means it though
“I’m going to be furious if my kids have a better life than me.” — Michael Ian Black, on behalf of every dad who hasn’t slept in years
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Because money will only get you so far
“Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.” – Plato
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There’s nothing like a mother’s love
“A mother’s love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking.” — Helen Rice
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Your children aren’t the only ones learning
“You learn so much about yourself from being a parent and you care more about the world you are raising your kids in.” — Kim Kardashian
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Preparation is key
“We may not be able to prepare the future for our children, but we can at least prepare our children for the future.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
RELATED: 50 Uplifting Quotes That Will Stay with You
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Nobody’s perfect, after all
“There is no such thing as being the perfect parent. So just be a real one.” — Sue Atkins
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Remember: perspectives can change
“Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.” — Oscar Wilde
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Huh, he has a point…
“Having children is like living in a frat house—nobody sleeps, everything’s broken, and there’s a lot of throwing up.” — Ray Romano
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You have to experience it to understand
“We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves.” — Henry Ward Beecher
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Rules? What are those?
“The thing about parenting rules is there aren’t any. That’s what makes it so difficult.” — Ewan McGregor
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There’s power in believing
“Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first.” — Matthew Jacobson
RELATED: 30 Hope Quotes That Will Instantly Lift You Up
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Sometimes, you have to do the dirty work
“The interesting thing about being a mother is that everyone wants pets, but no one but me cleans the kitty litter.” — Meryl Streep
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It’s a job you never quit
“Parenting is a lifetime job and does not stop when a child grows up.” — Jake Slope
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You don’t need a cape to be a hero
“My heroes were my parents, I can’t see having anyone else as my heroes.” — Michael Jordan
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So relatable
“I came to parenting the way most of us do – knowing nothing and trying to learn everything.” — Mayim Bialik
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A sweet gesture for all parents to do
“Always kiss your children goodnight, even if they’re already asleep.” — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
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There’s always room for love
“There really are places in the heart you don’t even know exist until you love a child.” — Anne Lamott
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The most important inheritance of all
“The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day.” — O. A. Battista
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Hmm, interesting theories…
“Before I got married I had six theories about raising children; now, I have six children and no theories.” — John Wilmot
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Being present matters
“To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.” — Barbara Johnson
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Unconditional love: incredibly powerful
“What it’s like to be a parent: It’s one of the hardest things you’ll ever do but in exchange it teaches you the meaning of unconditional love.” — Nicholas Sparks
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Love your kids for all that they are
“By loving them for more than their abilities we show our children that they are much more than the sum of their accomplishments.” —Eileen Kennedy-Moore
RELATED: 50 Powerful Kindness Quotes That Will Stay With You
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Your needs matter, too
“Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean your needs aren’t important.” — Hilary Duff
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Are you buying, kid?
“Ask your child what he wants for dinner only if he’s buying.” — Fran Lebowitz
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Follow the Golden Rule
“The Golden Rule of Parenting is do unto your children as you wish your parents had done unto you!” — Louise Hart
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Dream big for your kids
“Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.” — Lady Bird Johnson
RELATED: 30 “Dream Big” Quotes That Will Motivate You Right Now
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It will always be whole
“A parent’s love is whole no matter how many times divided.” — Robert Brault
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Spoil your children (with love)
“Too much love never spoils children. Children become spoiled when we substitute presents for presence.” — Anthony Withman
RELATED: 16 Motherhood Quotes That’ll Make You Call Your Mom
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That’s one way to do it
“The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant, and let the air out of the tires.” — Dorothy Parker
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Remember: your reactions matter
“Parents are not perfect, nor are they saints. Dads and moms make mistakes all the time. How you handle these situations will be an important life lesson for your children.” — Bethany Bridges
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Role model has a nice ring to it
“Parents are without a doubt, one of the most, if not the most influential role models that their kids will probably have under normal circ*mstances.” – Joseph R. Parker
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Kids—they’ll keep you humble
“I feel very blessed to have two wonderful, healthy children who keep me completely grounded, sane, and throw up on my shoes just before I go to an awards show just so I know to keep it real.” — Reese Witherspoon
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A parent’s love means a lot
“They’re your parents. They’re meant to love you because. Never in spite.” — Patrick Ness
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Laughter: A parent must-have
“Parenting without a sense of humor is like being an accountant who sucks at math.” — Amber Dusick
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This is an important first lesson
“You must first teach a child he is loved. Only then is he ready to learn everything else.” — Amanda Morgan
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Love your child, but let them fly solo
“The most important thing that parents can teach their children is how to get along without them.” – Frank A. Clark
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Mom knows best
“A mother understands what a child does not say.” – Jewish Proverb
RELATED: 20 Beautiful Mother-Daughter Quotes That Will Stay with You
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Happiness: It runs in the family
“In the happiest of our childhood memories, our parents were happy, too.” – Robert Brault
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A title to wear with pride
“One of the greatest titles in the world is parent, and one of the biggest blessings in the world is to have parents to call mom and dad.” – Jim DeMint
Originally Published: March 12, 2021
Bryce Gruber
Bryce Gruber is an expert in gift ideas, shopping, and e-commerce. You've likely seen her work across a variety of women's lifestyle and parenting outlets and on TV shows. She lives and works in New York's Hudson Valley with her five small children.
Kelly Kuehn
Kelly Kuehn is an editor for Reader’s Digest covering entertainment, trivia and history. When she’s not writing you can find her watching the latest and greatest movies, listening to a true-crime podcast (or two), blasting ‘90s music and hiking with her dog, Ryker, throughout the Finger Lakes.
