Parents are often called the most important role models for their children. They set an example of how to behave, what is expected from them in society, and they lay down a foundation of values that will last a lifetime. However, some parents forget about the lessons they should be teaching their kids and instead focus on themselves. While most parents have good intentions for their children, a few misuse parental power and use it selfishly. To illustrate this point, I’ve compiled 40 quotes about selfish parents from various sources on parenting gone wrong.

What Makes a Parent Selfish?

There are many ways to describe what it means to be a good parent, but the meaning of being a “selfish” parent is often misunderstood. Being selfish and self-centered means that the person’s thoughts are focused on themselves rather than other people around them. Selfish parents don’t always think about what is best for their children. In fact, some of them will do anything to make sure that they are getting their way.

These parents often make decisions for their kids without considering anything else. They might even use their children to get what they want, which makes them self-centered and inconsiderate of the needs of others. This can be in the form of a lack of attention, not providing for them, or even just showing favoritism towards one child over another.

Some parents have an inflated sense of self-importance and entitlement, leading them to be manipulative, controlling, and exploitative. They’re often perfectionists who expect their children will live up to impossible standards. And if they don’t? This can lead to repeated criticism, humiliation, and belittling of the child.

It’s important to mention that taking care of yourself while parenting is not selfish. If you don’t take the necessary steps to ensure your well-being and happiness, you won’t be able to take care of your family. Learning how to balance caring for yourself with caring for your kids is vital. Taking some “me” time while parenting doesn’t make you selfish; it makes you better parents!

Quotes About Selfish Parents

The family unit is one of the most important aspects of society. It’s an institution that provides a sense of belonging, love, and protection for its members. But what happens when parents are absent or selfish? Read on for some quotes about selfish parents.

Selfish parent quotes 1

1. “It’s sad how many parents put their revenge agendas ahead of their child’s well-being. Kids deserve to have as many people loving them as possible. – without being made to feel guilty about it.” – Jenna Korf

2.” Children shouldn’t have to sacrifice so that you can have the life you want. You make sacrifices so your children can have the life they deserve.” – Dr. Laura

3. “What a difficult time for a child when they find out their parent used them and manipulated them to hurt someone they love.” – SSAC

4. “As a parent, you should be more concerned with your children’s happiness than your petty insecurities and jealousies.” – Unknown

5. “No child should ever have to bear the burden of parenting their own parents. To toxic parents, you existed to serve them all the time.” – Kim Saeed

6. “When you choose to use your children as a weapon, just remember that one day you will end up without any ammunition.” – Unknown

7. “If you can’t make sacrifices for your kids, you don’t deserve them. A true parent would give their life and their very last breath. – Unknown

8. “The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any.” – Fred Astaire

9. “Today’s troubled homes are made by parents who want to have children but don’t want their children to have parents.” – Agona Apell

Quotes about selfish parents

10.” Anyone can have a child and call themselves a parent. A real parent is someone who puts that child above their own selfish needs and wants.” – Unknown

Related: 40 Toxic Family Quotes and Sayings

Selfish Parents Quotes

11. “I can’t stand selfish adults. I mean, they get to do whatever they want and then hurt their kids in order to feel better about themselves.” – Tessa Jarrell

12. “Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being.” – Kittie Frantz

13. “Parents who rely on their children for happiness make both their children and themselves miserable.” – Dennis Prager

14. “Instead of raising children who turn out okay despite their childhood, let’s raise children who turn out extraordinary because of their childhood.” – L.R. Knost

15. “Your children need your presence more than your presents.” – Jesse Jackson

16. “Being a parent shouldn’t be when it is convenient for you. It is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year commitment.” – Unknown

17. “Using your child as a pawn to hurt people is not okay.” – Unknown

18. “If you are too busy to enjoy quality time with your family, then you need to re-evaluate your priorities.” – Unknown

19. “Somewhat paradoxically, parenting programs should focus on the behavior of the parents, not the behavior of the children.” – Timothy Carey

selfish parents quotes

20. “It is the selfish parents who are to blame. Pay attention, be involved in your children’s lives. They are your legacy, your only hope.” — Aaron B. Powell

Related: 80 Inspiring Quotes about Motherhood

Quotes about Parents Being Selfish

These quotes about selfish parents show how parenting is more than just what you do with your child’s body–it’s also what you give them mentally and emotionally. So if you’re a parent reading this post, think hard before making decisions based on yourself instead of your kid.

21. “Dysfunctional parents let their children know how burdened they have been by their children and how many sacrifices they had to make in order to raise them.” – Dr. Marita Sirota

22. “Instead of treating your child like how you were treated. Treat them with the same love and attention you wanted from your parents while growing up.” – Uknown

23. “Most children would rather preserve the fantasy of a loving connection with their fathers and mothers, at all costs, even if it costs them their self-esteem. When you’re three or seven years old, it’s less frightening to think of yourself as an unlovable, disappointing screwup than to recognize the fact that you’re living with a monster.” – Keith Ablow

24. “To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.” – Barbara Johnson

25. “Denying a child the joy and memories of being with the other parent is an act of “pure evil”. – Unknown

26. “Having kids doesn’t make parents. Raising them does.”– Unknown

27. “It has been my observation that parents kill more dreams than anybody.” – Spike Lee

28. “It is a violation of trust to use your kids as caulking for the cracks in you.” – Anne Lamott

29. “When you grieve toxic, abusive parents, you don’t just grieve the abuse, you grieve everything you didn’t have.” – Lily Hope Lucario

30. “If you are a ‘selfish’ parent, your children will become ungrateful and unhappy adults.” –Victoria Secunda

Quotes about parents being selfish

31. “Divorce doesn’t scar children. Selfish parents with insecurities do.” – Unknown

Bad parents quotes

Here are some quotes about bad parenting. Let these quotes serve as reminders of how much good parenting really matters in everyday life.

32. “What’s so sad is when we’re younger if you have a bad parent, that is normal to you, and that’s what you think of as healthy.” – Jennifer Lawrence

33. “Being a bad parent is a sign of not having learned from experience.” – Mokokoma Mokhonoana

34. “Toxic parenting leaves scars. Every child deserves good parenting. It is a parental responsibility, not a privilege.” – TCMD

35. “A narcissist parent is easily frustrated by a healthy independent child that they can’t control through parental emotional manipulation.” – Shannon Thomas

36. “Selfish people lost so much in life because even when they realize they are wrong, they don’t know how to ask for forgiveness or show regrets.” — Unknown

37. “If you love your children, why brainwash them into thinking the other parent doesn’t care? – Unknown

38. “Your kids require you most of all to love them for who they are, not to spend your whole time trying to correct them.”— Bill Ayer

39. “Respond to your children with love in their worst moments, their broken moments, their angry moments, and their selfish moments because it is in their most unlovable human moments that they most need to feel loved.” – Unknown

40. “Permissiveness is the principle of treating children as if they were adults; and the tactic of making sure they never reach that stage.” – Thomas Szasz

41. “Leave your pride, ego, and narcissism somewhere else. Reactions from those parts of you will reinforce your children’s most primitive fears.” – Henry Cloud

42. “My father was always telling us, kids, how lazy we were. That he never got anything easy in life.” – Jim Carrey

43. There’s a reason why people who’ve had bad relationships with their parents listen to angry stuff. — Chris martin

44. “If mental abuse were a punishable crime, a lot of parents would be in jail serving a long term.” – Maddy Malhotra

Bad parents quotes

45. “Your first obligation as a parent is not to bring chaos into your kids’ lives.” – Unknown

 

What Are the Consequences of Selfish Parenting?

I believe that the way you parent your children is one of the most important decisions in their life. It’s hard to grow up and feel like you had a good foundation when your parents were too busy with themselves, or worse yet, they never cared about your feelings at all.

Selfish parenting can have an extremely negative impact on a child’s psyche as they grow up. There is nothing healthy about being so focused on oneself that you neglect your own kids’ needs in order to get what you want out of them or because you feel entitled to everything they do for you.

Children raised by selfish parents may struggle with depression and anxiety disorders early on in life due to low self-esteem issues that stem from dysfunctional parental relationships.

How to Avoid Becoming Selfish Parents

Parenting is hard, and being a good parent is even more challenging. There are so many different ways to raise children and make them happy, but there’s no one way that will keep kids satisfied for the rest of their lives. We all know how difficult it can be when we’re raising our own children and trying to balance what they want and need with what we think is best for them. It becomes increasingly more difficult as we try to juggle work, family life, and personal time because, at some point, you have to step back from your child’s life in order to maintain your sanity.

1. Be aware of your children’s wants and needs.
2. Make sure your children know they are loved.
3. Be careful not to compare yourself and your child; everyone develops at different rates, so be patient with each other!
4. Spend time with them doing things they enjoy; don’t always do what is easiest for you
5. Give them space to grow, learn and make their own decisions on what they want to do with their lives. Remember that it’s not all about you anymore.
6. Encourage them to learn new things and explore different interests.
7. Praise their accomplishments, but don’t overdo it, or you’ll undermine the achievement itself
8. Be a good role model by being patient and kind to yourself.
9. Explain why you make certain decisions as parents – give them an explanation for rules and punishments, not just orders without reason or cause.
10. Don’t be afraid to show affection in public with your child.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of selfish parent quotes. They say that home is where your heart is, but sometimes it feels like home is just another place they’re trying to control you. Many parents think that kids are little angels and do not understand how much power they have over their children’s lives. Sometimes it seems like no matter what you do, good or bad, good enough or not good enough – all your parents want to see when they look at you is a mirror image of themselves. If only they would realize that the more time we spend with them, the more likely we are to become just like them!

The most important thing to remember is that it’s never too late for parents to learn new things. It takes time, energy, and patience, but with enough persistence, you can change your child’s life forever.

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About the Author

Hermione M.

My name is Hermione. I am the founder of WomenH and I write about women's health, wellness, mental health, and personal growth. I created this platform to inspire women to take care of themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally to become their best selves. Thank you for stopping by.

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