Proud To Have A Spirited Child

I can't say I was or am always proud, but I try.  A spirited child is one who is ‘more’ as defined in Mary Sheedy Kurcinka’s book “Raising your spirited child : a guide for parents whose child is more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, energetic.”

I did not notice that I had a spirited son until he started preschool. He refused to detach from me. I had to spend the first two weeks at school with him. He would go off and play, and follow along if I was within eyesight. After three weeks, I could see the other kids getting in the groove, Jack was not.

He was starting to act out - hitting, biting. He would throw fits if the teacher's tried to correct him. I was lucky, the teacher had seen him at home before school started. She saw the difference in behavior and we decided to homeschool Jack this year, and teach him how to deal with his "moreness".

My research led me to Ms. Kurcinka. I have an answer, but this is relatively new to me.

This week, I'm struggling with my own feelings of aloneness. It feels like our family is out-of-sync with other families with preschoolers. I feel left behind. At this point, I thought I could enjoy a few hours a week to myself. We are even planning on adopting a second child. Now, I have no real direction.

I do enjoy watching my son's developing imagination and his uncanny ability to memorize lines in books or videos and use them in his play. I'm also learning how to better discipline him.  He's smart, persistant (good), stubborn, energetic, focused but does not like change.

I think I'll start today by thanking God for all the good things in my life - especially for my son.