“2. PERSISTENCE: If an idea or an activity is important to them, spirited children can “lock” right in. They are committed to… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Quick wit 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Change 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Brown eyes 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.… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Ask for help 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
“4. You have permission to take care of yourself. Your own need for sleep, quiet, uninterrupted adult conversation, lovemaking, a leisurely bath,… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
“And while the temperamentally active child will always be an energetic individual, how that looks can change over time. With guidance from… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Change Copy Share Image
“You Do Make a Difference But biology is not destiny. What we now know is that nature and nurture matter. How your… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
“Love your spirited child for who she is. Because she is more, she will make you more.” — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
“Intense spirited kids need to hear phrases like: You are enthusiastic. You are expressive and lively. That can be frustrating. You are… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
“Whether it’s revving up, getting louder, testing the rules, fussing over a decision, or becoming less coordinated, spirited kids are letting you… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
“obstacles nosy curious wild energetic extreme tenderhearted inflexible traditional manipulative charismatic impatient compelling anxious cautious explosive dramatic picky selective whiny analytical distractible… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Copy Share Image
“5. You may celebrate and enjoy the delights of your spirited child. You can concentrate on strengths, appreciate her tender heart, and… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
“My Webster’s dictionary defines spirited as: lively, creative, keen, eager, full of energy and courage, and having a strong assertive personality. Spirited—it… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Courage Copy Share Image
“Living with the “raw gem” of a persistent child is not easy. To tell these kids no, to thwart their efforts, is… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
“4. PERCEPTIVENESS: Send them to their room to get dressed and they’ll never make it. Something along the way—perhaps a commercial on… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Getting dressed Copy Share Image
“THE BONUS CHARACTERISTICS are not common to all spirited kids, but if your child possesses any of them, you will need to… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
“Parents of spirited children who are learning to manage their intensity well are talking about intensity and naming the emotions. They soothe… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image