“Wow, I thought I had it tough back then…”
“Ha! I believed things were challenging back in those days…”
It’s a familiar refrain among parents, right? Reflecting on the time when we had just one child, or when that little one still took their naps peacefully. Remember when a simple episode of Peppa Pig and a handful of Cheerios could keep them entertained for hours? Now, they’re caught up in countless activities that drain both our finances and our energy. And let’s not forget those earlier bedtimes—when we didn’t have to receive 11 p.m. texts asking for rides home.
I’m guilty of reminiscing about those simpler times, and I often catch myself criticizing my past parenting self. But the reality is, those days, filled with potty training tantrums and desperate pleas for naps, were quite tough in their own right. Yet, does it ever truly “get easier”?
My self-reflective “Ha! I thought it was hard back then” moments often target my poor youngest child, who seems to shoulder the weight of my frustrations. I’ve been misled twice—first thinking my eldest was the challenging one, then realizing my second child was the real test. I was wrong on both counts.
My firstborn is the quintessential easygoing kid, rule-following and trouble-avoiding to a fault. His sister mirrors him closely; they have their moments, sure, but if I were to chart my exhaustion levels, they’d only account for a fraction of it. The real energy drain comes from my spirited third child—a whirlwind of determination who throws me curveballs at every turn (sometimes literally).
I appreciate the term “spirited” to describe kids like him. It makes their wildness sound enchanting rather than exasperating. His energy and tenacity promise great things for his future, yet there are days when that same spirit leads me to tears, day-drinking, and feelings of inadequacy.
Spirited children are relentless. They spring out of bed each morning, ready to debate the necessity of pants on a frigid day, despite wearing them the previous two days. Breakfast is a battlefield, where cutting up their waffle or using the wrong colored plate can trigger a meltdown of apocalyptic proportions.
Every parent of a spirited kid knows that the ultimate test of patience is watching them insist they can “put their shoes on themselves!” or “buckle their seatbelt!”—a promise that often leads to never leaving the house on time.
One of the hardest aspects of parenting a strong-willed child is feeling like a failure, even when you’re putting in more effort than ever. Facing a new day filled with unexpected challenges can make you wish for a simpler task—like running a marathon barefoot in the snow—because that might actually be easier than getting them to cooperate during bath time.
And then there are the judgmental stares and unsolicited advice from others, like when my kid knocked over a display at Target. It takes all my restraint not to snap back with, “Thanks for your invaluable insight! I hadn’t thought of that!” The truth is, I discipline my child plenty; sometimes, I just need a moment of reprieve, a brief escape from the constant demands.
For many of us, our spirited child arrives when we think we’ve got this parenting thing down pat. My first two kids responded well to simple discipline techniques, leading me to believe I was a pro. Then my third child arrived and promptly flipped that notion on its head, challenging everything I thought I knew.
Spirited children keep you on your toes with their emotional highs and lows. My son, who can easily lose his temper, has an equally tender heart. He’s often the first to shed tears during a sad movie, showing that his strong-willed nature doesn’t exclude a capacity for compassion.
For instance, when we watched a hockey movie together, he loved the excitement but couldn’t shake the sadness of a player being cut from the team—he had to leave the room to sort through his feelings more than once.
These children can be a whirlwind, from demanding snacks and resisting baths to wanting snuggles all night long. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with challenges and sweet moments alike. Parenting a spirited child means showing up to family gatherings a sweaty mess after a sock battle, only to be greeted by a card that says, “I luv u gramma,” a gesture of pure love.
They can break you, yet also mend your heart in a way you never expected. Parenting a spirited child is a unique gift that pushes you to discover strength and patience you didn’t know you had.
At the end of a long day, when they finally succumb to sleep, you might find yourself whispering, “We made it through another day. I love you.” And then, you’ll pour yourself a drink, relishing the calm before the next day’s adventures begin.
For more insights on navigating the challenges of parenting, check out this post on spirited children.
Summary
Parenting a spirited child can be a daily test of patience and resilience. These strong-willed kids push boundaries and challenge norms, making the parenting journey both exhausting and rewarding. While they can bring moments of frustration, they also offer boundless love and unexpected tenderness. Embracing the chaos can lead to discovering deeper strengths within ourselves as parents.
Keyphrase: Parenting a spirited child
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]