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/
Assertive/persistent

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