Meaning: This quote by Matthew Ashford, an actor known for his role as Jack Deveraux on the soap opera "Days of Our Lives," reflects on the common practice of parents and caregivers ensuring the physical safety and health of a child, but not being able to predict or control their future intellectual capabilities. The quote is a humorous and somewhat ironic observation on the limitations of what can be controlled or influenced in a child's development.

In the first part of the quote, Ashford mentions checking that the child is safe and clean, and that they have all their fingers and toes. This reflects the instinctual and practical concerns of a caregiver, ensuring the basic physical well-being of a child. The wording "like that's going to help them through life" injects a sense of humor and sarcasm, as Ashford suggests that these physical attributes may help the child walk, but they are not indicative of their potential or success in life.

The quote continues with the statement, "you can't pull them out and check their IQ or anything," emphasizing the inability to assess or predict a child's intellectual abilities at birth or early in life. This highlights the inherent mystery of a child's future development and potential, regardless of the immediate physical indicators of health and safety.

Ashford's humorous tone in this quote serves to highlight the absurdity of attempting to control or predict every aspect of a child's future. The idea that one could "pull them out and check their IQ" is a whimsical exaggeration, pointing to the impossibility of knowing a child's intellectual or cognitive capabilities from the moment of birth.

This quote also touches on broader themes related to the complexities of parenthood and caregiving. It underscores the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of a child's development, and the realization that certain aspects of their future, such as their intelligence, cannot be predetermined or managed in the same way as their physical well-being.

In a deeper context, the quote may also prompt reflection on societal attitudes toward intelligence and success. Ashford's words highlight the limitations of outward physical appearances and the inability to gauge a person's potential based on superficial observations. This notion challenges the tendency to make assumptions about an individual's capabilities based on external factors, emphasizing the need to recognize and nurture the diverse and inherent potential within each person.

Overall, Matthew Ashford's quote encapsulates the humorous and thought-provoking realization that while caregivers can ensure a child's physical safety and well-being to a certain extent, the trajectory of a child's life and their intellectual potential remain unpredictable and beyond immediate control. It serves as a lighthearted yet poignant reminder of the multifaceted nature of human development and the limitations of our ability to dictate or foresee a child's future achievements and capabilities.