Strong-willed children… where do I start? They are fun, full of gumption, and usually on the lookout for the next thing. These children always make life interesting and can drive parents crazy. My son, Harrison, is definitely strong-willed, and I’m not surprised. His mother (aka me) is and always will be strong-willed. Sometimes, it’s very obvious in his demeanor or the fact that he wants to do it himself. He’s starting to push me away as he explores standing and other acrobatics.
Strong-willed gifts and challenges
In having a child like this, you realize a few things. One thing I wonder about is what Harrison’s life will be like. What kind of challenges will he face? And how can we teach him to overcome them in a positive manner? How do we encourage children to face life with a grateful attitude in spite of upcoming challenges?
Second, God makes each of us unique. He crafts and forms us into amazing human beings with cool personalities. God gives us strong wills with our personalities to help us face our personal journeys. I prayed for a happy baby, child, and adult who would influence the world for good. His smile every morning, when we greet him, confirms that God did listen and wants to be a part of shaping our child’s journey.
Third is that it’s okay to be strong-willed. And it’s okay not to be strong-willed. Both personalities are needed in this world. If we were all the same, it would be a very boring place. It’s exciting to watch someone’s personality unfold and grow before your eyes.
Raising your children
As the ‘raising a child journey’ unfolds, I’m hoping we parent well and sensitively. We also realize that our children will make mistakes, be bold, and go after different life adventures than the ones we did. So raise your coffee cup because you need caffeine when raising kids, and embrace these wonderful children who will be the next leaders.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Heather Shore
Featured Image by Public Co from Pixabay
