Benjamin Spock Quotes

A collection of quotes by Benjamin Spock.

Benjamin Spock (1903-1998) was an American pediatrician and author who revolutionized child care and parenting practices in the 20th century. Born on May 2, 1903, in New Haven, Connecticut, Spock attended Yale University and then pursued a medical degree at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. After completing his medical studies, he specialized in pediatrics and began his career as a pediatrician.

In 1946, Spock published his groundbreaking book, "The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care," which quickly became a bestseller. This book challenged the prevailing beliefs of the time and advocated for a more relaxed and nurturing approach to raising children. Spock believed in treating children with respect, avoiding physical punishment, and fostering a supportive and loving environment. His ideas greatly influenced generations of parents and have since become widely accepted.

Throughout his life, Spock actively participated in various political and social causes. He was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and was often involved in anti-war protests. Spock also championed civil rights and marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1963 March on Washington.

Benjamin Spock's impact on child-rearing practices cannot be overstated. His compassionate and empathetic approach to parenting revolutionized the field of pediatric medicine and earned him global recognition. He continued to write numerous books on child care and education, contributing deeply to the understanding and well-being of children. Spock passed away on March 15, 1998, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the most influential figures in pediatric care.

What good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing

What good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is usually best after all.

Benjamin Spock

Best

When women are encouraged to be competitive, too many of the

When women are encouraged to be competitive, too many of them become disagreeable.

Benjamin Spock

Women

I would say that the surest measure of a man's or a woman's

I would say that the surest measure of a man's or a woman's maturity is the harmony, style, joy, and dignity he creates in his marriage, and the pleasure and inspiration he provides for his spouse.

Benjamin Spock

Marriage

Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do.

Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do.

Benjamin Spock

Parenting

There are only two things a child will share willingly; comm

There are only two things a child will share willingly; communicable diseases and its mother's age.

Benjamin Spock

Children

What is the use of physicians like myself trying to help par

What is the use of physicians like myself trying to help parents to bring up children healthy and happy, to have them killed in such numbers for a cause that is ignoble?

Benjamin Spock

Vietnam

The more people have studied different methods of bringing u

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.

Benjamin Spock

Parenting

The child supplies the power but the parents have to do the

The child supplies the power but the parents have to do the steering.

Benjamin Spock

Parenting

Every child senses, with all the horse sense that's in him,

Every child senses, with all the horse sense that's in him, that any parent is angry inside when children misbehave and they dread more the anger that is rarely or never expressed openly, wondering how awful it might be.

Benjamin Spock

Anger

All the time a person is a child he is both a child and lear

All the time a person is a child he is both a child and learning to be a parent. After he becomes a parent he becomes predominantly a parent reliving childhood.

Benjamin Spock

Learning

Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel

Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled.

Benjamin Spock

Happiness