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Why do parents think they know everything?

118 Answers
Last Updated: 01/03/2022 at 11:11pm
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Top Rated Answers
briaannasaurus
January 24th, 2016 5:16am
No one is ever really ready to begin parenting. They've made some mistakes, you've made some mistakes. Make sure there is proper communication between you and your family.
tshgo
January 24th, 2016 1:04pm
Because they believe their lived experiences can help others. Which is sometimes true, but life is too complex to think you know everything. We learn something new everyday.
mountainPass10
January 28th, 2016 1:53am
They generally know that they don't know everything, however they try to convince their children that they do especially as they go through their teenage years (which are notoriously known for questioning authority) because they believe that having an authoritative figure making the rules in your life will mold you into a better person (aka in their image)
owenlang
January 28th, 2016 1:47pm
Parents don't think they know everything. Sometimes they just want what they think is best for you. They may believe that because they have brought up their children, they know a lot more than them.
Crystalcxva
January 29th, 2016 12:42pm
No one knows "everything", but since parents are much older and wiser than us, they have had a lot more experience in life than us, and they sure do know the answers to a lot of questions that we have. It is always best to listen to your parents, since they probably know what's best for you.
Anonymous
January 29th, 2016 9:37pm
Maybe they feel this way because they've been through a lot themselves? But nobody truly knows everything... but sometimes we act as though we do
MichelleChew
January 31st, 2016 11:34am
The authority they have often makes them feel like they are more experienced and can give you the best advice on everything. Although that may be true, at times, but in certain situations, they can be wrong. The most important thing is to communicate properly with your parents and find a better solution together.
CallmeP
January 31st, 2016 1:48pm
Parents have gone through things like we do, before. They've had problems too when they were younger like us. The thing is, they don't truly know everything and neither do we. The world is constantly changing, there are more to learn of. We must understand and sympathize for each other, young and old. We're all equal but have different views in life.
Anonymous
January 31st, 2016 11:03pm
They think that because they're older and have more life experience they know more about how the world works. This is not necessarily the case though.
Usefulkitty37
February 5th, 2016 4:26am
Because they have been through everything you have and theyve made it out alive so they can show you whats good and bad to do in a situation
Theleavesinmay
February 7th, 2016 3:39am
No, believe me, sometimes they really do. I know that may be hard to accept now but one day you'll come to appreciate the wisdom of your elders. Even seek it out.
Anonymous
February 7th, 2016 11:50am
Because they think they are far more experienced than us and in most cases they are right.... but there are exceptions
Anonymous
February 7th, 2016 12:01pm
Because they're older than you and have more experience in life than you. They're supposed to teach you and only want your best.
MiraculousShiny62
February 10th, 2016 12:47am
You may view it as your parents thinking they know everything when in fact they are sharing their life experiences with you. Your parents have lived through experiences that you have not yet had the opportunity to experience. When they share with you, it is a parent's way of trying to protect you from something they know could possibly be harmful for you. If you open your mind to having open conversation with a parent, they will most likely tell you why they know the particular thing you are asking about. Respect the fact that a parent has authority over you thus protecting you from a mistake that you potentially could have or may make.
LoverOfHappiness
February 12th, 2016 4:55am
They think that, because they were you once. Done the same things or similar and believe that skills and feelings stay the same but it changes all the time. Communication can help, and even then sometimes they may not listen but never quit! Relationship is work
Cleeto
February 12th, 2016 5:54pm
Because they often find the similiarities on what has been going on with their days in the past. Unfortunately, we can safely say that what they experienced in the past was never going to be the same as what we experienced nowadays, even on the same occasions.
TamaraHelps99
February 12th, 2016 7:39pm
That is just a thing that parents do. But the thing is that they are mostly right about the things they say.
Anonymous
February 12th, 2016 9:35pm
they don't think so ... it's just that parents can get realy worried about you they can seem tuff ... they rather punish you or band you from something they think it's harmful for you and be hated by you ,yet you'll be safe .... than letting you do as you please and think that's what love is .... maybe talking to them and seeing it from their prespective'd work
maggierc
February 13th, 2016 6:31am
Parents typically think they know everything because they have more experience than their kid does. In most situations, they're just trying to help, even if they're really not.
Anonymous
February 13th, 2016 10:02am
Because they just think they do. They really don't know everything but they do know a lot based on personal and just regular knowledge
00Gatsby00
February 13th, 2016 6:50pm
years they lived , experience they had , problems , regrets .. they knew a lot about life and they wanna protect us from doing mistakes they did in the past they don't know everything ..they think they know more than us ..like we perceive our little siblings it's a nature to protect our beloved ones they just advice us the wrong way ..we need to do our thing and they just guide us from a distance it's better more effective
PacificSunrise
February 14th, 2016 7:46am
Parents think they know everything because they work from their own experience. We all see things in terms of our own so called world. So they try to help and act from their knowledge based which is different from we are looking from the outside.
RaCat
February 14th, 2016 2:04pm
Parents are survived more in this life that's why they are feeling knowing more than you. But that's not always true - sometimes they are right, sometimes they are not. They are people like all of us and they are making mistakes, the pissed up.
whimsicalApple76
February 18th, 2016 12:04am
Since parents are older they will think they have more experience than their child and think they know better, Also the fact they have experienced certain situations before they may have a better idea of what outcome would happen in certain situations and wouldn't want their child to go through the same events as like they did.
Greatlistener87
February 18th, 2016 2:17am
They are your parents and they know you well. They feel like they have been through lots of things because of their age seniority compared to yours. They might know a lot of things more then you but they do not know everything. Some times as parents most of the time its a learning process everyday.
Cryrose1
February 18th, 2016 6:01am
Parents think they know everything because they've seen it, tried it, experienced it, been around it or know someone who has. Even when they don't know they do know they want what's best for their kid and trying to keep them safe.
shvrry
February 18th, 2016 6:36am
Because they don't understand the way you feel and the situation or position that you're in. Sometimes our parents know more than we do and they're just trying to help us but parents are like that and they just think they understand you.
MyriadHashbrown
February 18th, 2016 4:07pm
Your parents have had a lifetime of experience, and want the best for you, and want to guide you to be successful. They may seem like they think they know everything, even when they quite often do not, but it is important to respect them as your parents, and hear their perspective and input. Sometimes your parents may have a view that is completely different or outdated compared to yours, and you have the right to disagree with them, but its important to remember that they are your parents, and deserve your respect (: try your best, and if things take a turn for the worse, take the high road and hold back on starting arguments, they like to pull out the "that doesn't matter I win because I'm your parent" card.
RJxo
February 18th, 2016 8:18pm
Because years ago they were in our shoes and they know deep down how it feels like to be broken. Desperate and hopeless
Anonymous
February 19th, 2016 12:44am
parents honestly only want the best for you, i know its been said before! But i promise its true. And parents really don't know everything parenting doesn't come easy but at any time when you think they are wrong but they insist they are correct, it is because at the time they truly think they are doing the right thing. If you want you could try and explain in a calm and clear way of your opinion and they may begin to change theirs, but remember they are also thinking that their children always think they're right!