We say that a girl with her doll anticipates the mother. It is more true, perhaps, that most mothers are still but children with playthings.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Bradley suggests that while we think mothers shape children through play, mothers often remain childlike themselves, treating adult life as play.
- In plain terms
- Mothers are often still children playing with grown-up toys.
- What can you take from it?
- Adult roles do not always mean grown-up thinking.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- In what ways do you play at being an adult?
- Does parenting require abandoning childish traits?
Another view
Not all adults retain childlike qualities in their roles.
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