Do you have one? A StRoNg-WiLLeD ChiLd, that is. I actually have two, but my youngest is the one with the strongest will. You better believe that she can throw a full-fledged fit and scream at the top of her lungs for hours on end. Literally. I wonder how I ended up with not one, but two of these precious little darlings. After all, I was the compliant child and what you sow you reap, right?
My response to this mayhem? I refuse to be manhandled by a 3-year old. So, BriNg iT DaRLiN’ because If wE tAnGo I promise you, I will always win. I do tell her that frequently. We even rehearse this dialog often:
MOM: “Who is in charge?”
CHILD: “You are.”
MOM: “So, that means that who is NOT in charge?”
CHILD: “We (her and her sister) are not in charge.”
Besides my children, there is another strong-willed child I have to deal with almost every day – a.k.a. ME!! It’s that undisciplined part of me that only wants convenience and comfort. It willingly cooperates, but only if it doesn’t involve sacrifice and hardship of any kind.
This strong-willed child is my public enemy number one. It is 99% of my problems. It’s what stands between me and my goals. It refuses to cooperate with my plans, wants its own way, and will throw a fit if it doesn’t get it.
How do I handle this strong-willed child? The same way I handle my strong-willed 3-year old. Sheer determination to be the LaSt oNe StAnDiNg. Feelings, comfort, and convenience will have to take backseat, because I will win this one. I promise.
~Robynn
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