Parents always make their worst mistakes with the oldest children. That's when parents know the least and care the most, so they're more likely to be wrong and also more likely to insist that they're right.
The quote from Orson Scott Card's "Xenocide" highlights the challenges parents face with their first child. It suggests that as the firstborn, a child is often subjected to the most experimental parenting approaches, as parents are still learning the ropes. This phase is marked by high levels of care and concern, which can lead to misguided decisions. The blend of inexperience and the desire to do everything perfectly often results in mistakes.
This dynamic emphasizes that parental guidance tends to improve with subsequent children, as parents accumulate experience and wisdom. The tension between wanting to be right and the reality of being inexperienced creates a complex relationship, especially for the eldest child. Thus, the quote serves as a reflection on the evolving nature of parenting and the impact it has on the family structure.
