Being "Strong Willed" Does A Body Good." Pass It On!

 These days, whenever I hear people talk about a "strong willed" child it seems to always be in a negative light, as if it is a bad thing, a disorder, or an imperfection of sorts. Some, and I am guilty of this myself, even use it as an excuse for poor behavior.  " Oh he is just very strong willed." I have been thinking lately that the term gets a bad wrap and that being strong willed can be a good thing.

I will admit that while I was pregnant with the first of my four kiddos, I read Dr. Dobson's  "The Strong Willed Child" in preparation of what might come! I figured the poor kids had as much chance of  inheriting a strong will as they had of getting blonde hair and blue eyes. eh-hem!!One day after dropping my boys off at their preschool, I began to see the term in a different light. I was exhausted from a battle of wills with two preschoolers  and began to cry and vent to the owner. She dried my tears and said, "Well what do you think you are raising here, a bunch of wimps!?" She began to tell me about her own (grown) strong willed son and all the positive qualities he has that have served him well over the years.I have so much I want to share about this term, these children, these teens and adults but  I simply  want to encourage you if you have a strong willed child or children, that it can be difficult, exhausting and humbling but being strong willed can be, in the short term and the long term, a good thing, and here is why.

• Strong leadership resides inside the strong willed child.
• The strong willed child will not take "No" for an answer. (which might frustrate you now but will be good in the future.)
• The strong willed child will not conform to the "status quo" or go with the flow. ( again, good for the future)
• The strong willed child will persist at their problems until solved ( riding a bike, shooting baskets, building a Lego tower or even serving a volleyball to name a few.)
•  The  strong willed child will stand up for themselves and others.
• The strong willed child tends to be independent and self sufficient early on. ( I am picturing my two year old little girl saying, "I do it myself Mama!")
• The strong willed child when nurtured, loved and encouraged, is full of life and adventure.
• God can use a strong will turned toward Him to do mighty things
• Strong willed children keep you on your toes and on your knees in prayer.
• Embracing the parenting of a strong willed child, can make you a better parent and a better person.
• Your own strong will comes in handy when parenting your children :-)

Embrace the task and the child full of life and potential, knowing  that  this is your calling and destiny and we have been given the opportunity to raise, shape and mold future leaders of the world. It truly is a good thing.

 Joshua 1:9

This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."