10 things only parents of high-spirited kids would understand

As a die-hard child advocate, pediatrician, and mom of a high-spirited child, I love how this article highlights the pain and beauty of having a willful child. In this Today’s Parent article, the author, a parent of a high-spirited child, really lays out what makes parenting rules different for these children, and touches on reasons why parenting books in general must be taken with “a grain of salt”. After having our first child who “followed all the rules” and reaffirmed to my husband and I that we were obviously “naturals” at parenting, 2 years later, our little strong-willed soul was born, and our confidence in our parenting skills was challenged (and has continued to be ever since;). What a great learning experience!!! This article, along with the article last week discussing research supporting how “Infant Personality Predicts Temperament 20 Years Later”, just reaffirms that we are all the people who we are right from the start, and I genuinely believe that parental acceptance of this truth, allows both parents and children to thrive optimally in their families, communities, and most importantly, in their own skin…Click here to read the article and really reflect on how much these little humans can challenge us to continue to learn and grow with them:)