I have a 3 year old nephew named Jay. He is the cutest little guy around, but he has a serious stubborn streak.
I tend to be a little overly critical of my nephew behavior but I can do that, because my girls were perfect little angels at his age.......or were they? Could it be possible that I have forgotten what it was like to parent a 3 year old?
Well, surprise......I have! I just realized that I am totally guilty of looking back at my own children's behavior with Rose colored glasses on.
Not only was my lovely daughter Reid stubborn as a toddler but she is still stubborn!
Her most embarrassing stubborn moment came when she was eight and refused to let the nurse give her a shot. Long story short, after about 15 minutes of my daughter freaking out the Doctor and her two nurses gave up trying to give her the shot and said they would try again at her next well check.
That day the Pediatrician said to me, "Stubborn children may be difficult to parent, but their personality type will serve them well as an adult."
I shared this piece of wisdom with my brother on Christmas day after one of Jay's stubborn moments. My Bro looked at me and said, "How can being stubborn ever be a good thing.'?
You know.......I had to think about it, because I didn't think to ask the Doctor to clarify her statement (I just wanted to get the hell out of the office).
I look at Reid now and I see a very self confident strong willed teenager who is much more likely to lead than to follow. She has a good head on her shoulders and she doesn't usually do things just because everyone else is.
I have a hard time imagining anyone trying to persuade her to do something she doesn't think is right. So if that is what being stubborn brings you when you are a teen, then I think I'll take it.
Now I'm putting my Rose colored glasses back on to tell you that my two girls really are perfect in every way! Really, they are. :)
Wordful Wednesday (which I'm posting on Tuesday) is brought to you by Angie over at 7 Clown Circus!
37 comments:
I have one of these stubborn teens that you speak of and while I think it's a great life trait to have (in many aspects but not all) it's also TOUGH!!! Because teens think they know everything and it's nearly impossible to get a regular teen to see the light but a STUBBORN teen? Oh Lordy Lord have mercy on me! (and maybe you!) ha ha
Oh, man, I had to do some shot-wrestling with my daughter a few times, too. BITTER! What a scene!
I'm so glad we're past that now...
Happy New Year!
:^) Anna
I have several friends with toddlers and i'm going to share this bit of wisdom with them. And of course the knowledge that they wont fully comprehend it until they see the kids as teenagers.
No need for rose colored glasses - I know the girls are angels, just like Ben is. ;>)
Since I'm dealing with a bit of a stubborn streak in my toddler right now, that's good to hear.
My daughter was also stubborn and I think it has served her well but it DROVE ME CRAZY during her later teen years. LOL
I will use this as my mantra when my son gives me problems: "Stubborn will serve him well as a grown up. Stubborn will serve him well as a grown up."
I do think we tend to "forget" the bad parts of different parenting stages. I look back on when the Little One was a baby and think "Why didn't I relax and read more? It was so easy then." And then I was hanging out with a friend and her 3-month old and thought "Hmmmmm...maybe I have forgotten what is was really like."
I'm glad your daughter is developing into a strong-willed leader and not a sheep!
My hubs likes to call me stubborn so here's to stubborn!
Happy New Year my friend!
Great post! My toddler is stubborn too...so here's looking forward to the rewards of that! :)
I have stubborn 3 year old. Can I borrow your glasses?
as a formerly stubborn toddler, i can tell you in the end it pays off. or at least my parents tell me that, lol. but they have also said that the road to get here was a long one... :)
good to know, I have a couple very stubborn toddlers. I guess this is just another thing that too will pass or then again, maybe not.
Well I think my children are perfect. Rose colored glasses are better anyways..giggle. Actually, if parents didn't feel that way about there kids they are doing them a big dis-service. I have been told as well "stubborn" is my middle name. Thanks to my parents for wearing their rose colored glasses...phew!!
Lucky for us, I think we usually forget the bad moments in life and remember the precious ones. How about child birth? No one would have more than one child if they remembered how painful it was. Same goes as our children grow up. I forgotten MOST all of the little tantrums that they threw.
Since my little guy will be two in Feb this is good to hear. I can see signs of some stubbornness.....;)
Good post and I hope you are right because you know what? My oldest is about as stubborn as they get {currently trying to block the potty training months out of my head...}
Happy New Year!
hey girl, most of the time it't better to be stubborn and stand up for yourself than to get ran over!!!!!
I believe that being stubborn is a very good personality trait. Basically for the reasons you specified.
your ped is absolutely right. MANY (many!) a time i have said that the things in our girls that frustrate us now, will only serve them well later in the life!
Wonderful wisdom.
I worry that my kids will be too much of followers. We'll see. I wish I knew how to help them be MORE stubborn (except when it comes to obeying mommy of course!)
Yes, amen! My daughter was soooooo stubborn - but she's doing great now. :)
Can a 15 month old be stubborn? I think so...if so, this post has given me some comfort for brighter days. LOL ;o)
My 3 year old is so stubborn! Drives me nuts.. I am afraid she is rubbing off on my sweet little boy!
Happy New Year!
Even with the silly face, your girl sure is a beauty! Whew, beaty AND brains! Watch out world!
If you can say something positive and wonderful about a teenage girl...then you are doing something RIGHT as a parent or....your kid is a freak of nature....or....those are some AMAZING glasses lol
me again - happy new year!
award for you at my place
....oh heck, what's life if we don't have a stubborn one to live with? Hey, I'm still that way, and I'm nearing 6 decades. [hint: Keeps parents on their toes!!!]
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU....my Wordful is posted, and I'm dreaming of flying high into the sky today. Hope you can come join me!
I have a 9 year old who is the same. I tell her all the time I know she gets in trouble alot but it will be good as an adult and teen. I don't think she believes me yet!
Happy New Year!
I am a stubborn girl so I think she is perfect, too! :-D
love what the peditrician said...my mom says that all the time! so much fun! happy new year to you!
Well... adults who insist on having their own way often get it, I guess. I have a stubborn 4 year old and I'm sure he's going to make a great adult (I have rose coloured glasses too).
Today I would love to hear my kids fighting, yelling, running through the house. Or have them leaving the doors open so the cats and chicken can come in the house.
Now granted they are gone right now to Grandmas so I'm sure I will not feel this way when they come Sunday evening...lol!
I think Rose colored glasses never hurt anyone. Love reading about your girls!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I loved this - my first daughter - has STOMPED down her own path since birth really! I try to guide her gently - because I see so much of myself in her steps. She is the cheerleader, the born leader, the top ladder on the rung - my baby girl - they are the best though - aren't they!?
Thanks for posting this - I have a VERY stubborn 3 year old daughter - and often wonder what stubborness "looks" like as they grow older. I think I need to be thankful she's stubborn, as I don't want her to be persuaded to do things she doesn't want to do as she gets older.
Thanks!
I was (and still am) one of those stubborn girls. It served me well during my teen years. Not only was I well liked and popular, I also didn't compromise my position on important issues. Come to think of it, I still don't. :)
Good for Reid!!
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