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| Are You a Proactive Parent by Lisa McIntire
But 3-year-old Jordan gets upset when Mitch tries to roughhouse with him. He hangs back in new situations instead of jumping in. He’d rather sit down and listen to a story than run around outside. Jordan is so different from the rambunctious boy Mitch expected that he worries, “Are we doing something wrong?” In our fondest fantasies we imagine that our children will combine the best traits of both parents: Mom’s easy laugh and gift with words, Dad’s patience and dexterous hands — and maybe Uncle Gil’s talent for finance. We recall phrases such as “like father, like son” and “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Wouldn’t it be great if the combination of your genes and your child rearing brought forth a delightful child who shared all of your interests and talents and never woke you up at night? Unfortunately, reality is much more complicated than that. Now that your baby has grown into a toddler or preschooler, he’s made it his business to let you know that he’s a distinct individual. And, if you’ve had more than one child, you know what different results similar genes and environments can create. Like Mitch, many parents feel surprised or frustrated — even worried or guilty — when their child behaves contrary to expectations, or unlike other children in the family or neighborhood. But there is a lot parents can do to enable their hopes to be fulfilled. The key is understanding the factors that make your child an individual. How can you celebrate your child’s uniqueness and gifts? | Top | Share Your Thoughts... Be the first to comment on this article! |
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When his son was born, Mitch had imagined tossing a giggling Jordan up in the air and teaching him to kick a ball — just as his dad had done with him. He pictured young Jordan coming in sweaty and streaked with dirt with some new discovery to show off.
