The Sentinel
The Family That Plays Together... -
Problem or Strength?
I talked with a frustrated parent the other day, her child had been labeled as a disruption. At her wit's end, she confided that she knew deep down her child was not a failure like the teacher had declared. She had high hopes and aspirations for her child and saw talent and worth where the teacher only saw a talkative restless child.
I pulled out this list that someone gave me long ago (source unknown) to share. It had calmed my fears then, and continues to give insight now.
Is your child's behavior a problem or a strength?
How YOU perceive a behavior may hinder or enhance it's real meaning.
|
Problem |
Strength |
quiet |
Inner directed |
bossy |
Good director/leader |
clingy |
Connected |
tattle tail |
Justice seeker |
stubborn |
Focused/committed determined |
fussy about food, clothing |
Discriminating |
talks back |
Courageous/honest |
too talkative |
Relates well to others |
Finicky eater |
Future gourmet/discriminating |
Doodles |
Creative |
Dawdles |
Easy going |
Nosey |
High curiosity |
Non-conformist |
Likes attention/independent/ |
Mouthy |
Expressive |
Spoiled |
Loved |
Mean |
Power-seeker |
Crabby |
Speaks out needs |
Wants attention |
Speaks out needs |
Sneaky |
Inventive |
Compulsive |
Efficient |
Silly |
Fun loving |
Goofy |
Untamed creativity |
Loud |
Expressive |
Plain |
Natural |
Shy |
Inner directed |
Timid |
Careful |
Dependent |
Connected |
Domineering |
Charismatic |
Conceited |
Self loving |
Fearful |
Careful risk taker |
Rigid |
High sense of order |
Guarded |
Watchfully observant |
Hysterical |
High level of emotion |
Troublemaker |
Bored/sees the activity as irrelevant |
Jokester |
Highly intelligent/looks at things in new ways |
Day dreamer |
Optimist/future thinking |
We all know a Brianna who was fussy about her clothes and later worked in a clothing store, (besides looking great all the time!) Or, Tom who was always domineering, and now runs his own successful business.
Your stubborn child may use that intense focus to become a successful athlete or the child that is compulsive in her school work now excels in her very detail-orientated accounting job. Often we must see beyond the world's immediate judgment of our child and recognize their strengths to build them into the men and women they were meant to be.You can leave your thoughts, comments or suggestions here on my feedback page. Thanks!
- Kari