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The more people have studied different methods of bringing up children the more they have come to the conclusion that what good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is the best after all. All parents do their best job when they have a natural, easy confidence in themselves. Better to make a few mistakes from being natural than to try to do everything letter-perfect out of a feeling of worry.

Benjamin Spock#7

FamilyConfidenceInstinctIntuitionPerfectionism

About this quote

What does it mean?
Parents who trust their instincts and feel confident in their natural approach to parenting tend to succeed more than those who strive for perfection based on studied methods.
In plain terms
Trust your gut and be confident instead of trying to be perfect.
What can you take from it?
Natural confidence beats perfectionism in parenting.

Where it applies

  • raising children
  • parental doubt
  • family dynamics

Putting it to work

  • trust your instincts
  • avoid over-studying
  • be natural

Questions to consider

  • Do you trust your parental instincts?
  • How does perfectionism affect your parenting?

Another view

Over-reliance on instinct without learning can sometimes miss critical safety or developmental knowledge.

More from Benjamin Spock

  1. Don't take too seriously all that the neighbors say. Don't be overawed by what the experts say. Don't be afraid to trust your own common sense.

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  2. The fact is that child rearing is a long, hard job, the rewards are not always immediately obvious, the work is undervalued, and parents are just as human and …

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. You know more than you think you do.

    Permalink to quote #5

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