Alan Arkin Quotes

I don't think anyone masters parenthood.

Everybody thinks they have the answer to how to be a good parent. Here's mine: Everybody's gonna make mistakes.

I want to speak directly to the audience, to say, 'I'm like you - I'm frustrated, I'm not an expert, I don't have a manual on parenting, I make mistakes, I'm selfish too.'

As a parent, the only thing I am absolutely certain of is my own fallibility.

The thing about parenting rules is there aren't any. That's what makes it so difficult.

We go into parenting, and we discover that we don't have the answers. We are at a loss.

I came to parenting the way most of us do - knowing nothing and trying to learn everything.

You mess up as a dad, and you have your worst moments.

There isn't a clear-cut way to be a parent. We will all make mistakes.

As I started parenting, I realised there is no formula to it.

I might be at the odd press conference with a little bit of spill on me because I'm not going to hide the imperfections of parenting. I don't think anyone needs that.

I've blundered my way through life.

Ironically, parenting is a shame and judgment minefield precisely because most of us are wading through uncertainty and self-doubt when it comes to raising our children.

I'm not a parenting expert. In fact, I'm not sure that I even believe in the idea of 'parenting experts.' I'm an engaged, imperfect parent and a passionate researcher. I'm an experienced mapmaker and a stumbling traveler. Like many of you, parenting is by far my boldest and most daring adventure.

The parenting bit is much harder than the acting bit. You just never know what to do.

Everyone has obstacles, and you're not going to have the right answer or do the right thing every single time.

Does any new parent, even if you're not a first-time parent, ever really know what to do?

It's tough never being right.

Here's a confession: I hate parenting books. I hate the ones that are earnest and repetitive.

Nobody's gonna be a perfect parent, you know? We're all doing the best we can.

Everything that happens to me in a day enhances my parenting.

With parenting, like any other skill in life, practice makes perfect.

I'm going to miss shots. I'm going to make plenty of mistakes. It's not going to be perfect.

There are many things I wish I could redo as a parent.

In parenting, as in judging, the days are long, but the years are short.