6 Important Things To Remember About Your Different Child

If you have more than one child, I’m sure you were quickly surprised to realize just how different two kids in the same family could be!  There are some things to remember about your different child that will help you see him in a positive light, rather than in a negative way.

As a mom of eight kids, I never expected them to all be so different! Of course, in many ways there were similarities, but each had their unique differences – some more than others!

I wouldn’t say that I always “embraced” those differences as I should have.

6 Important Things To Remember About Your Different Child

At times when differences showed up in how the kids learned, acted, responded or failed to respond, I would feel discouraged or frustrated; other times I would feel stressed. However, it made me rely on God, and it also caused me to really study my kids, and get to know them for who they were.

God showed me that “different” doesn’t mean bad. It just means that I have to learn the secret that unlocks the mystery of that child.

Now that most of my kids are adults, I can see how those differences  helped prepare my kids for what God had planned for them as adults.

If you have a child, or children, that are different, let me encourage you with these thoughts:

Here are 6 Important Things To Remember About Your Different Child

1. God made them just the way they are for a reason and His purpose.

He created them with their unique personalities and needs and made them just the way He wanted them.

2. God wants you to depend on Him.

If all our kids were the same, we’d feel confident after the first one or two. He gave me kids that were different from each other, which made me realize how much I didn’t know, and how much I needed His help and wisdom!

3. God put them in your family with those differences to develop character in each member.

I have always believed and always told my kids, that God put each of them in our family with their unique personalities and characteristics, to help the rest of us develop certain character qualities God wanted us to learn.

Some of my kids were definitely my personal character builders!

4. God wants you to know your child, and invest in them.

Make it your personal goal to know what makes each of your kids tick. Learn what motivates them, and how you can best help them and reach their heart.

5. God has plans for them that you don’t know yet; those differences often will benefit them when those plans are revealed.

That child who seems so stubborn and strong-willed, could very well be in a leadership position when they become an adult.

Help them learn to channel that strong will in the right direction and they will be great leaders.

6. God wants you to see the gold glittering in them.

Sometimes we have to look through the flaws we see in them, the irritating behaviors, and see the gold that is glittering there, just waiting to be discovered.

Ask God to help you see the different child’s value, worth, and potential as He does.

When you are at your wits’ end with that child who you just don’t know what to do with, you are right where God wants you to be! Realizing that we can’t do this parenting thing on our own is a GOOD thing.  Let it be a reminder to call on God and ask Him for the wisdom He freely offers.[magicactionbox]

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