Strong-Willed Children

The pediatrician that we have see for the past 6 years and have loved posted this article today on Facebook about parenting strong-willed children. I'm posting it here partly so I can find it again later when my stubborn children get under my skin and partly as a view into my philosophy of parenting. I need a reminder sometimes that their difficult behaviors serve a purpose and will create wonderful adults with their own opinions if I remember my role in this whole deal.

Sometimes it's hard to step back and allow them to grow into little people. Society pressures parents into forcing kids to obey and as a mom, I find myself struggling with that. I do not want my kids to "obey" anything and everything they are told by others. I want them to learn to think independently. I want them to learn to think critically about what they are told and learn to respectfully agree or disagree as the case may be. I want them each to be able to stand on their own and feel confident enough in who they are as a person and a woman. I know that their strong personalities will help them grow into adults who will not be pushed around by anyone. They will be able to accomplish anything that they are determined to do. It all starts here as small children. And I have a huge part to play. I can "break" them by forcing them to be obedient or I can encourage their confidence. The choice is in my behavior. It's easy to forget that as adults - kids are most often reacting to our choices and our behavior. When the adult chooses to act differently, the children most often follow along. I see it all the time in classrooms. I need to remember that in my home.