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! When it comes to your different child, it can sometimes feel challenging to understand or know how to respond. But those differences are how God made them, so He can use them in the way He has planned. As a mom of eight kids, I’ve learned that our children’s quirks, strengths, and weaknesses all serve a purpose. I wouldn’t say that I always “embraced” those differences as I should have, but now I see that God has a perfect plan for each of them.

In this post, we’ll look at some things to remember about your different child that will help you see them with God’s eyes, and a grateful heart.

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 each of them for what God had planned for them as adults.

If you have a child, or children, who 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. God has a design for each family, and that includes the differences in each member in your home.

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 who 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 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.

Affiliate Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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.

Encourage your stubborn child to use that stubbornness to stand up for what is right, and not be swayed by wrong influences.

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.

Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes... in You and Your Kids Passionate Parenting: Enjoying the Journey of Parenting Teens Solving A Crisis in Christian Parenting: Why so many prodigals?[(Child Training Tips : What I Wish I Knew When My Children Were Young)] [By (author) Reb Bradley] published on (August, 2014)

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.

More on dealing with a different child:

"Because of the Intentional Living Course, I feel like there's a sense of order and peace to our days. The important things are done first, so if it all falls apart later, we're still ok!"

"These short lessons are perfect for younger children to process the information. his is a wonderful, affordable curriculum for teaching children Biblical character traits and I would highly recommend it."

This is a wonderful course for moms! I loved how Kathie encouraged me and inspired me to do better. She gave lots of opportunities to get in the Word to see what God has to say about anger, and told us specific ways we can change. I am so thankful for this course. And that God used it in my life.

6 Important Things To Remember About Your Different Child