Raising kids can be a daunting task at times, especially when your child or children SEEM TO BE POSSESSED BY SOME DARK FORCE!!

Anyway, developing an allergy toward your kids can make it even more challenging!
I'm obviously not referring to the fact that I have an actual allergy toward my kids... I just figured it seems kinda catchy and there are times that I feel I do, most of the time towards my 3-year-old daughter.
Why?
Nah, not really. She can just be VERY difficult at times.
What makes it harder for us as parents are that we also don't want to break her spirit and rather nurture it. She has an extremely strong little personality and we feel it is important to keep it that way. Too often people try to break children down in order to fit in with what they perceive to be how a child should behave.
I've seen this with the early schooling of both our kids. The teachers seemed to try and turn them into little sheep that will blindly follow the herd. We don't believe in that method. We rather encourage their individual behaviors and try to strengthen their weaknesses.
I can understand why so many teachers do it though. It makes it easier. It is far easier herding sheep than herding children's different personalities.
With Katalina (my daughter) I have had to put more focus on teaching her simple manners. You know, "Please", "Thank you", that kind of vibe. Soren (my son) caught onto this very easily since he is a people pleaser however Katalina is more self-centered.
So, what is the point?
I guess there's no real point I'm trying to make here besides the following:
All of us struggle with parenting at times. Raising kids is hard work and a lifetime commitment. If you don't ever struggle with raising your children then you are a Super Human or a Super Disturbed Human - In other words, wake up and smell the coffee.
We need to nurture and encourage the natural development of our kids instead of bullying them into being what we want them to be. I am by no means saying that let them run free and create absolute havoc in our lives. There are guidelines that need to be followed however encourage their strengths and work on their weaknesses.
Teach your children manners. There is nothing worse than a child that doesn't have decent manners. If I had laser beams in my eyes I'd zap 'em. That is how strongly I feel about being a decent human being. If nothing else, I'd raise decent little humans that will be well received and respected by others.
I guess this post was to help me a little with my allergies lately. It's been a tough road however well worth all the struggles. I wouldn't change my kids or the path we chose for anything in the world.
To those of you that don't have kids yet, you will only ever understand once you do :)
To the single parents out there, I salute you!
A great mention should go out to those parents that raise other's children. Thanks to @plushzilla for pointing this out. Whether you've adopted a child or some other alternative situation. SALUTE!!
To those parents that have good support from family and friends, I'm a little jealous :D
Thanks for dropping by :)
Cheers!
Doodle by @atopy

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