Our middle child is a true free spirit. From the moment she turned three, when we gifted her a baby doll she affectionately named “Muffin,” it was clear she marched to the beat of her own drum. Shortly thereafter, she began galloping around the house on all fours—not crawling, mind you, but sprinting with astonishing speed while making clippity-clop sounds. Whenever she could, she would trot, canter, and neigh, fully embodying the essence of a wild horse.
As she grew older, her interests evolved, and by age seven, she had transitioned to cats. Her impressive speed on all fours came in handy once more, as she meowed and purred, even drinking water from a bowl instead of a cup. Her birthday parties for four consecutive years were cat-themed! Initially a reluctant reader, she devoured 42 full-length novels in just six months after discovering the Warriors series, which chronicles the lives of feral cats living in clans and battling for territory.
More recently, her fascination has shifted to bald eagles, and I must admit, her ability to mimic any animal she studies is remarkable. While her antics were charming in her younger years, at 11, her animal-inspired behaviors have started to appear more eccentric than cute. One day, she came to me in tears, expressing her sorrow that her friends were losing interest in playing “Warrior Cats.” For her, this isn’t just a game; it’s a reflection of her identity. On several occasions, she has genuinely wished she had been born an animal, feeling a deep connection to the animal kingdom.
As a parent, it’s been challenging to guide her through a social landscape that doesn’t always align with her vibrant spirit. We want to nurture her imagination and passions while also preparing her for the reality that some may find her behavior peculiar. It’s a delicate balance—how can we encourage her authenticity without implying that her uniqueness is something to be ashamed of?
Homeschooling has provided a unique backdrop for her to express herself freely, without the constant scrutiny of peers. However, the stereotype of homeschoolers being “weird” doesn’t help, especially when our child identifies as an animal. The reality is that everyone has their quirks; the notion that there exists a standard for interests and behaviors is simply nonsense. How many people stifle their true selves to conform? And conversely, how many imaginative thinkers have radically changed the world by embracing their uniqueness?
Who knows what our daughter will achieve with her animal instincts? Perhaps she’ll one day run a wildlife rescue or advocate for animal conservation. Or maybe she’ll choose a completely different path. What matters most is that if she decides to shift her focus, it will be her choice—not because we suppressed her spirit or because she succumbed to peer pressure. We strive to help her see her quirks as gifts, and her “weirdness” as an integral part of her individuality.
This was our intention when we gifted her personalized food and water bowls for her ninth birthday. We wanted her to know that we embrace her whole-heartedly, quirks and all. Of course, we set some ground rules—no eating like an animal at the dinner table, and using her bowls only when company wasn’t around—but that gift meant the world to her.
Naturally, when other parents learned that we bought our daughter pet bowls for her birthday, they labeled us as “weird.” But hey, at least we know where she gets it!
If you have children who defy convention and dance to their own rhythm, encourage them to celebrate their idiosyncrasies. Remind them that their unique light is meant to shine brightly, regardless of what others may think. Prepare them for the challenges ahead—it takes grit and determination to stay true to oneself, but these qualities will help them chase their dreams. And when they doubt themselves, remind them that everyone else is equally wonderfully weird.
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Summary
This article discusses the challenges and joys of raising a uniquely spirited child. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing individuality while preparing them for social realities. The author shares personal anecdotes and encourages other parents to embrace their children’s quirks, reinforcing the idea that everyone is wonderfully different.
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