My Spirited Children

As this year of homeschooling comes to an end, I thought it would be fun and interesting to take a trip down memory lane. So I’ll be posting a series of homeschool posts from my past (old dead blog) every Thursday and reflecting on what I’ve written and if things have really changed. It should be an educating journey.

Reposted from May 2004

I seem to find the best books on the discount tables at book stores. My latest God send is a book entitled Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook. I actually found it at a FREE book benevolence for homeschooling moms and since my kids are out of school I guess it’s official. I’m a homeschooler!

So far this book has helped me determine (through tests in the book) that I am a spirited mom raising FOUR very spirited children. Though they all have their areas in which they are more intense and spirited, they all are a handful. (Did I mention I was homeshooling in the fall!! Help!)

Next I’m determining whether they are introverts or extroverts which will help me help them “recharge.” I’m definitely and introvert who needs space, time and QUIET!!! My two most spirited kids Chris (9) and Grace (2), I believe are extroverts and the two in the middle Joey (7) and Timmy (4) are introverts who really enjoy spending hours alone. Joey loves crafts and would forsake a family event to recharge with his crafts while Timmy can regularly have meltdowns if he doesn’t have quiet time to play. Last night while I was reading to Joey in my bed, Timmy chose to play by himself in his room. No coaxing could get him away from his play.

So needless to say I’m excited and learning alot.

I need to revisit this book. But as far as I can tell, my observations were right on. Though I haven’t been encouraging my introverts to have quiet times like I know they need and I’m not totally sure Timmy is an introvert. Though Joey and I determined from the book The Treasure Tree, that all four of my kids have the four different personalities.

Chris (12) and first born is the Lion of the group. The Choleric, taking charge even when others don’t want him to.

Joey (10), the creative one, is the Melancholy or Beaver. Though he has alot of Sanguine in him as well (Otter.) I know the personality experts swear you cannot be a Melancholy AND Sanguine, so we’ll see if his personality traits strengthen and develop into one area over the other. He’s very creative but NOT organized. If he wasn’t such a hands on person, I’d say he leans toward a Sanguine. When he was younger I would have pegged him for a Melancholy Phlegmatic. Maybe birth order has something to do with it as well.

Timmy (7) is the Golden Retriever. Steady Eddy Phlegmatic. He’s loyal and faithful and willing to please. But don’t cross him. He’s got a ferocious bite!

Grace (5) is Sanguine party girl! The Otter who only wants to have fun and doesn’t care if she bugs the heck out of her brothers. It’s funny to her! She’s got more personality in her little finger than most kids have in their own body. I often tell people, “God had to make her cute because if she wasn’t she’d be in BIG trouble!”