When you had kids, did you think you were going to get mini versions of yourself? Our kids become these beautiful mixtures of Mom and Dad with their own unique flair. It’s really one of the most interesting parts of parenting—seeing yourself and your husband reflected in your kids’ personalities. The child who’s more like you might push your buttons more, but she is probably easier to connect with. You have common interests, energy levels, or attitudes. Meanwhile, connecting with a child who is different from you presents more of a struggle.
That’s the theme of this iMOM Podcast episode as Abby shares how she’s having a hard time connecting with her child who likes to stay home, play Minecraft, and read. It’s not that she doesn’t enjoy those things (well, not Minecraft), but her other son is always game for an activity, a conversation, or an errand, and that gives them more opportunities to talk and connect.
So what do you do when you love your kids the same and want to show that love equally, but bonding comes more easily with one than with the other? In this episode, we’ll talk about when hobbies are different but also when your personalities don’t mesh, like when one of you is talkative and the other isn’t or one is emotional and the other is more logical. And Chloe realizes the same wisdom that applies to parenting a child who’s different from you also applies to being married to someone who’s different from you. You have to notice the similarities, admire the strengths, learn to collaborate, and call out the good in what makes you different.
Articles We Mentioned
4 Ways to Nurture Your Child’s Interests When They Don’t Interest You
How to Connect With the Kid Who Is Different From You
7 Things Parents Do to Make Their Kids Hate Sports
Printables We Think You’ll Like
Do you have a child who’s different from you? How do you find ways to connect?
