Strong-willed
Do you know anyone who can latch on like a bulldog and hold on just as long? I do. I married a bulldog. Then I went bred it into our offspring. What can I say? I'm clever like that.
Around this time of year I hear/see/read about the behaviours of children changing. Perhaps its the Christmas jitters, or the end of year frantically, or the craziness of parents processing the thought of having to be stuck with their own bulldog offspring that has them running for cover. I don't know but children start playing up more/different to usual.
Mine? They're like this year round. Often stubborn, often ready to fight and stand their ground on what they want. How silly really. Don't they know I'm ready to fight back? But don't they know I'm bigger then them? Don't they realise I have more active usable brain-cells that I can outwit them?
A few years ago, at the end of myself in child-rearing I bought a book. Yep. Me. I even read it. It helped. It's called "the strong willed child" by Dr dobson.
Whilst I am certainly not a fan in purchasing/reading child-rearing parenting books in how to raise my child according to one-formula-fits-all type children this one I would recommend to those with special children like mine.
I learnt that I needed to win EVERY fight no-matter-what. The book has an interview with some mums with strong willed children and the children. The children thanking their mum for those child rearing days where mum won those fights.
I began winning the fights. 2 hour time outs, kid kicking and screaming became the usual for me. Dreading having to go out in public incase 'it' happened. Then one day I noticed it had stopped. 5 minute time outs. Fun, caring, loving and mostly obedient child. Where was he from? I loved him too.
There were plenty of times that I was brought down by failures and fears, weariness and tired of the fights that seemed to be a constant companion to me. I wanted peace and harmony in my home.
Now, looking back I would have kept my cool for longer and laughed sooner, but as for the fights? I would still win. Not cos I'm in it to win it but because I know that there are important life lessons for my child/ren to learn through those experiences.
I have the added advantage of being strong-willed myself but with a sensitive gentle side. God would have known I would have to be this way to remain married to my spouse and be a successful parent to our children.
If you have a child who challenges you on everything, is highly stubborn, is highly defiant, and will not do what you ask them too, I suggest getting this book to grab a few hints.
With that.. I shall see what fight awaits me for this day. I've already had one and its not even 8am.
In Love
Amy Xx
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