Nobody fits the same box.
When God created us, he made us each unique. From our fingerprints to our personalities, no two are exactly alike.
In our family of six, I can clearly see six different personalities (I liken each of us to a character out of Winnie the Pooh, but there isn’t enough space in this post for that), even though some of our personalities have overlapping similarities.
As mothers, we must get to know our children’s personalities—what makes them thrive and how they tick. Knowing their personalities allows us to be strategic in how we strive to connect with each child.
For example, I know my one child thrives on having time alone while another offers to keep me company during our daily quiet time so I don’t feel alone. One child talks to every person we see while one hides behind me barely peeking to see the other people. One child spends hours with music while one spends hours playing pretend. One is serious while one is teasing.
Knowing these things about my children allows me to cultivate heart connections because I know, truly know them. Because I know what makes them tick, I can choose activities to suit them, books that will speak to their hearts, curriculum to intrigue their minds, and more.
To know the different personalities of our children so that we can use that knowledge to cultivate heart connections, takes time and careful attention. But that time investment will pay dividends.
Below are some of my favorite books about our differences. The first two are children’s books that are hits with my children and me. We want our children to love and accept who God made them to be and these books help foster that.
The third is a memoir by Sally Clarkson and her “out-of-the-box” son Nathan and how a mother loving her son just as he was made a lifelong impact on him. Whether you have a child with special needs or not, this book will challenge and encourage you to love your children for who they are not who you want them to be.
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