a little encouragement goes a long way!

Logan was SUCH a tough baby, but I never once thought to google his personality traits or even think that there would be books written about tough babies. It wasn't until he was about 18 months old that I even heard the term "high needs" or "spirited" children, but once I read the descriptions I knew that the entire book had basically been written about Logan! It's so comforting sometimes to know that other people go through the same things when it seems like so many others have the textbook "good" babies/toddlers.

Found this on the Fussy Baby website, and just thought it was interesting. It is such an accurate description of Logan as a baby, and now Logan as a toddler.

Spirited Child Characteristics

Babies

• Want to be held all the time.
• Doesn’t schedule well for eating, and toilet habits.
• Cries for no “apparent” reason.
• Reacts strongly against sleep training.
• Won’t stay for long in carriers that are not attached to parents.
• Gets bored very easily.

Toddlers and Preschoolers

• Smart - won’t play with toys, mostly real items.
• Every day is unpredictable.
• Mood swings occur in minutes.
• Wakes up generally unhappy most times from naps and night sleep.
• Experiences early night terrors and many night awakenings. They are restless sleepers.
• Severe separation anxiety occurs, often lasting from age one to age five.
• Goes through most daily requirements such as getting dressed, car-seat buckling, transitions, diaper changing, meals, bath, tooth-brushing, with difficulty and opposition.
• Clings in new situations and with strange people.
• Wants to do everything themselves. The child is very self-directed and is “The Boss”!
• Child is not easily distractible.
• Child has violent, intense tantrums that may last for at least an hour. Tantrums may include screaming, crying, head-banging, vomiting, hitting, and an almost catatonic state where the child can’t hear, respond or listen to calming influences.
• Child is very active during play and sleep
• Often a picky eater.
• The child still requires a lot of attention and physical contact during night-time and day

The baby characteristics are pretty much spot on to how Logan was as an infant, and the toddler characteristics are pretty darn close as well...minus the night awakenings and intense tantrums (so far, at least). He is an awesome night sleeper once he goes down, and so far his tantrums have been limited to 10-15 minute all-out bawling episodes during which there can be no calming him down but just patience until he stops.

I also discovered this little article by Dr. Sears on high needs children, and it has really encouraged me! I love love love Logan's personality most days, but on the tougher days he really can give me a run for my money. On those days it's helpful to remember what high needs/spirited toddlers grow into:

INFANT	TODDLER-CHILD	TEEN-ADULT
alert intense draining demanding cries impressively loud unconsolable supersensitive high-touch	busy high-strung exhausting spunky energetic stubborn impatient strong-willed obstinate discerning challenging expressive tantrum-prone interesting tender huggable	enthusiastic deep passionate resourceful dominating opinionated determined persistent insightful fair sociable compassionate empathetic caring affectionate

Whew!! I'll take those traits as a teen/adult :) As for now, I'll just have to remember to embrace and appreciate every since one of those toddler/child traits! And know that I'm probably just getting exactly what I put my parents through - my mother says I was a lot like him as a kid ;)

links:
http://www.thefussybabysite.com/causes/characteristics-of-the-spirited-child/
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/fussy-baby/high-need-baby/changing-personality-profile-high-need-child-grows