“My Webster’s dictionary defines spirited as: lively, creative, keen, eager, full of energy and courage, and having a strong assertive personality. Spirited—it feels good, sounds good, communicates the exciting potential of these children, and yet honestly captures the challenge faced… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“2. PERSISTENCE: If an idea or an activity is important to them, spirited children can “lock” right in. They are committed to their task,… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“8. FIRST REACTION: A quick withdrawal from anything new is typical of many spirited kids. Any unfamiliar idea, thing, place, or person may be… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“When you’re in the middle and stuck, you need to know when to back out and call for help. If that person is someone… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“It almost seems un-American, at times, to have kids who are slow to warm up. Other people tell us to push them—to force them… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“9. MOOD: The world is a serious place for some spirited kids. They’re analytical, meticulously reviewing experiences, finding the flaws, and making suggestions for… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“I’m not sure if it was the despondent look in a parent’s big brown eyes and the hopeless shake of her head or if… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“6. REGULARITY: Figuring out when they will sleep or eat is a daily puzzle for parents of spirited children who are irregular. It seems… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“INTENSITY A Summary Intensity is the driving force behind the strong reactions of the spirited child. It is the invisible punch that makes every… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“7. ENERGY: The tales of spirited kids I hear from parents are truly amazing, like that of the two-week old baby that “crawled” the… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“Words control the impulses; without them children have no protective devices to slow their reactions. Frequently I am asked, “Aren’t you just begging for… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“2. You did not make your child spirited. There is a genetic factor to being spirited, but how one’s genes are expressed is significantly… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“A Credo for Parents of Spirited Children 1. You’re not alone. According to the personality research 10 to 15 percent of all children living… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
