I have heard great things about this book, but hadn’t read it until recently. Mostly because I didn’t think my child was “spirited.” I was a little relieved by that fact, but I can’t deny I relished moments with his “spirited” friends. Well, he turned 4 and things changed. What do you know? According to this book we’ve got spirit. Lots of it!
Kurcinka measures “spirit” by assessing 9 characteristics. They are: intensity, persistence, sensitivity, perceptiveness, adaptability, regularity, energy, first reaction, and mood. Part I: Understanding Spirit contains a description of these characteristics and a quiz to assess how spirited your child is by category and collectively. Part II: Working With Spirit takes you through each characteristic to better learn how to address the needs of your child. Part III: Living With Spirit takes you through mealtime, bedtime and other daily activities. Other chapters include Part IV: Socializing with Spirit (playing which children, vacations and holidays) and Part V: Enjoying Spirit.
This was one of the most comforting quotes from the book. It is one of 5 credos the author offers to parents of spirited children at the beginning of the book:
“You did not make your spirited child. You are but one of many influences in your child’s
life. Other parent(s), relatives, siblings, teachers, neighbors, friends, life experiences, and the world at large all play a part. You make a big difference but not the only difference.”
And I would add to that…they have their own little personality…or rather big personality in a little body.
*Should you be interested in getting a former edition, it looks like the image to the right.
