3 life lessons I’ve learned parenting a headstrong child

Motherhood is a journey with highs so high so you’ll remember them forever, and lows so low you’ll curse the day away. I’m still navigating these uncharted waters and just when I feel like the sea has steadied, the water turns choppy again.

My days are filled with uncertainty as we discover more about what’s beneath this sweet boy of mine. I know he is smart, strong, passionately curious, compassionate and spirited. What I’m still learning, though, are the differences that make him unique. It’s difficult to describe what it’s like to be a parent of a spirited child. The answer depends on the day, the task, the weather—the answer is always changing.

Our days ebb and flow, like waves of the ocean. They swell with enjoyment and eagerness and then naturally fade through periodic episodes of misunderstanding and confusion. Attachment and connection, followed by detachment and disconnection. Up and down, back and forth, give and take, push and pull.

My strong-willed child keeps me on my toes, but when I’m able to lift the hood, I can really see what’s going on in with his engine. His spirited nature has brought brightness to my life. He is a child of high standards, but is an absolute delight. He is sweet and generous, creative and bright.

Here are the joys I’ve learned from parenting a spirited child:

1. His curiosity is a good thing and it reminds me to slow down.

He’s always interested in how things work and asks a lot of questions—oftentimes, he tries to figure it out on his own. His senses are keen, and his observations are imaginative and rich. Our five-minute walk to school quickly stretches to 15.

On our way, he’ll notice the grasshopper sitting alone on a single branch and the intricate spiderweb laced in the bush nearby. He notices the beautiful colors of the flowers and the leaves changing in the fall.

He’ll look up at the sky and see a heart-shaped cloud and hear the distant sound of a siren. He’ll notice when one of my shirt buttons is unbuttoned and the single strand of hair on my sleeve. His mind never stops because he is always seeking out knowledge and gathering the data in his mind.

2. His compassion for others and empathy for his friends is admirable.

When he feels, he feels hard. When he expresses love for his baby brother, I’ll catch him gently patting his back and giving him a soft embrace, followed up with a kiss and a whisper saying, “I love you.”

He once saw his friend fall off her tricycle on the playground and quickly jumped off his and rushed over to make sure she was okay. Every ounce of his body and soul is poured out in those moments. The intense, passionate emotions add depth to my life and make me want to be a better person.

3. He never gives up.

He is determined, tenacious, and will not take “no” for an answer. And if we do say “no,” he’ll find another way to get a “yes.” He’s not intimidated by adults or peers and is confident in who he is and what he can do.

At soccer practice, he is the first in line to practice short drills and will run himself ragged until he scores a goal. During our morning school routine, he is the master of negotiation and can somehow convince me he’s too full to eat the banana on his plate but not too full to finish off the glass of orange juice.

He is strong-willed and headstrong, qualities I know will serve him well in the future. He wants to learn on his own and test his own limits.

Parenting a spirited child is hard, but it’s also rewarding. While it may be a frustrating and exhausting endeavor, I take comfort in knowing that he will grow up to be a leader.

He will be resilient and passionate, focused and unafraid to speak his mind. I don’t want him to blend, I want him to shine. I want him to march through life, and not just add to the noise. I want him to love his spirit always, in all ways.

You might also like:

• The strong-willed child: 11 ways to turn power struggles into cooperation
• Dear strong-willed child: I can’t wait to see who you become
• My spirited toddler has trouble listening sometimes—here’s what works for us