“Love your spirited child for who she is. Because she is more, she will make you more.” — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children 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 Baby 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 Child 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… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Child 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 Charismatic Impatient 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
“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 Child 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
“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 Child 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
“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 Child 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 Child 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 Child 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 Child 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 Child 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 Child 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 Child 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 Child 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
“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 Child 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
“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
“3. You are not powerless. There is information in this book to help you understand your spirited child. You can read it… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Books 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
“Ultimately we want the children to catch their growing intensity themselves, to rely on their inner control rather than our control. By… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Child 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 Characteristics Copy Share Image
“WHILE EACH SPIRITED CHILD IS UNIQUE, most are more intense, persistent, sensitive, perceptive, and uncomfortable with change. Many, but not all, possess… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Change Copy Share Image
“3. SENSITIVITY: Keenly aware, spirited kids quickly respond to the slightest noises, smells, lights, textures, or changes in mood. They are easily… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Child Copy Share Image
“5. ADAPTABILITY: Spirited children are uncomfortable with change. They hate surprises and do not shift easily from one activity or idea to… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Adapting 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
“1. INTENSITY: The loud, dramatic spirited children are the easiest to spot. They don’t cry; they shriek. They’re noisy when they play,… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
“Children learn best from the adults they love. They watch carefully to see how you handle your strong emotions. Most of us,… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Child Copy Share Image
“Today temperament continues to be a major focus of researchers in the fields of psychology, anthropology, physiology, and neurobiology. While they agree… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Psychology Copy Share Image
“Managed well, intensity adds flavor and excitement to our lives. It’s the trait that allows our spirited children to be animated, vivacious,… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Child 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 Child Copy Share Image
“Using Words Learning to express their potent reactions in words rather than in actions is critical for spirited children. If they can… — Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Children Copy Share Image
