Parenting tops the list of jobs that never goes on holidays. Regardless of however ready for parenting an individual might assume to be, the concept of being absolutely ready for parenting prepared to raise a child especially in this 21st century, is as unrealistic as it is far-fetched.
In parenting having a strong-willed daughter who at an early stage already knows whatever she desires and will not take “no” for an answer whenever her demands are not met; can be very Tedious for most parents. Nevertheless, the journey of raising a strong-willed daughter can possibly turn out superb depending on how knowledgeable the parents are.
An article on parenting.com actually described parents with strong-willed children as lucky, adding that while raising strong-willed children can be a challenge when they’re young, if sensitively parented, they can become terrific teens and young adults.
What exactly describes a strong-willed child?
Laura Markham, a clinical psychologist at Columbia University carefully explains the benefits of having strong-willed children. He describes strong-willed children as spirited, headstrong, rambunctious and even courageous. According to him, they are usually self-motivated and inner-directed, they often grow into leaders as adults.
It is quite hilarious how the qualities that make a strong-willed child is largely condemned at the child’s young age and later demanded at the child’s older days as one of the most important qualities for a successful life. A parent’s ability to properly mentor and manage her strong-willed child will turn out with the big grin of beholding a self-motivated and self -driven teen/adult in the nearest future.
Without ‘’Love’’, the tale of a mother and child will remain incomplete. There is little wonder then on why most parents desire to push their children towards paths they feel will benefit them best in future. This task is always daunting when the child/children involved are strong-willed as they can be hardly swayed when they have their mindset on something. Their experimental personality constantly ignites them to seek after learning things based on their own experiences rather than what someone else narrates to them, so they are always fond of testing the limits over and over.
In a world were tagging along with the multitude has become the norm, smartly raising a strong-willed child is one of the surest means to ensure you have kids who stand for what they know is right and not just what is acceptable to the majority population. Strong-willed children do not take actions or make decisions or engage in activities to get attention and approval of their peers.
Considering as scholars have advocated for strong-willed children, this does not in any way excuse raising disobedient and ill-mannered kids. Rather raising strong-willed kids involves giving a child the liberty to think ‘outside the box’ and not just to play by the limiting rules of life.
Seeing as life rarely gives you what you deserve, but what you demand, your strong-willed child cannot be adequately prepared for life challenges if she is continually been shut out from voicing her opinions in family concerns, especially on matters that concern her life.
If you are currently raising a strong-willed child/child, you have to realize that they will seek a lot of validation. Rather than yelling out for every single act of misbehaviour, you have to make an effort to listen to their side of the story. Ensure to add empathy and validation to conversations, especially when attempting to make them do what you want. An article by the Independent Magazine on the importance of raising strong-willed children advised that for the little things, every day, non-life-threatening issues, parents should let up a bit on these kids. Obedience as a result of trust, not of broken will, must be placed as premium when relating to individuals especially growing kids.
Since we have recognized that raising a child comes with so many responsibilities, parents, therefore, ought to be mentally, emotionally, financially and physically ready before taking this unique life’s responsibility; and part of their readiness must include preparing to raise strong-willed children.
Eloke-Young Splendor
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