She has a ‘Strong character’

[Meltinghere]

The way my mum describes my Dd, 3.

What would you think is meant by this? Is it really just code for ‘Naughty and hard work’

Actually I think there is a difference with "mean." Mean usually shows intent and I don't think "strong character" children intend to be unkind. It is just they are focussed on their own viewpoint (determination/stubbornness as referred to above) and are unaware of how that affects others.
It's often the parents that love the "Strong Character" that are also unaware of how their child is coming across.

However I am very aware Strong Character could be used differently in different contexts too!

For example - the determination to play the game how they want to play it. Eventually others decide not to play.

It's what old people say about girls who aren't demure and ladylike.

Just ignore. Or say "good, that's exactly what I encourage".

@Thadhiya

It's what old people say about girls who aren't demure and ladylike.

Just ignore. Or say "good, that's exactly what I encourage".

Hardly. It's directed at boys too.

Not really Thadhiya! I don't value "demure and ladylike" particularly either. That's just what people with "strong characters"/children tell themselves ;)

Speaking as a primary school teacher, if I wrote it on a child's school report, or saw it written by someone else... Yes. That's what I'd assume it meant!

@GiantToadstool nah you're projecting

Read up. Im not the only teacher saying this 😁

I describe my friends little boy as having a strong character. It's more polite than saying he's naughty and needs reigning in.

Parent or teacher - it’s irrelevant really. Ultimately ‘strong character’ can mean lots of things - some good, some not so good. I don’t think we can assume it’s a positive or a negative description without knowing the person as a whole.

It can mean having strength of character or it can mean a strong, overbearing character. The former is great, the latter is a PITA.

@Biancadelrioisback

Urgh I hate this. People never describe little boys as having 'Strong Characters'.

TBH, to me it sounds like someone is trying to say your child is challenging and hard work but that may not be how the mean it. It would depend on the person who says it, how close you are and how critical you think they are I suppose?

Err... Yes, they do. It can be applied to girls or boys.

My 17 year old daughter has a strong character.

Means temperamental, opinionated, strikes like a match, won’t take shit and can hold her ground.

This is my dd. I think people mean it negatively generally but I see it as a positive.
She has always been confident and outgoing and knows her own mind and is probably too outspoken, now being assessed for ASD.

She likes football and climbing, animals and geology. She has just got exceeding expectations on her school report for maths and computer science. She wants to be a marine biologist or scientist when she grows up.

Strong girls make strong confident women.

Of a toddler, I would think that is a polite way of saying stubborn/difficult/stroppy 😂

If take it as a compliment myself, unless her tone and demeanour suggested otherwise. It means she's nobodies push over to me.

Op your dd is still a toddler.

In general all toddlers are wilful, stubborn and head strong.

It's understandable because they get frustrated at not being able to communicate their feelings, and they don't have the emotional intelligence to understand societal expectations. Toddlers have yet to develop empathy; they're essentially very selfish and in their little world, everything revolves around them.

It wasn't long ago that they were a baby, crying to have their needs met. If a 3 year-old wants something they're going to let you know about it!

I'd say most toddlers are difficult and prone to tantrums. They don't call it the terrible twos for nothing! That doesn't mean all wilful stubborn behaviour should be celebrated and encouraged though Its not really a "sign" she 'll grow into a kick ass woman.

In this context "she's a strong character" is a light hearted way of saying a toddler is hard work. That's quite normal.. I don't think it's any indication of their character as an adult. Your mum has forgotten how hard it is to spend a day entertaining a toddler.

@Biancadelrioisback
people never describe little boys as having strong characters"
This would come as news to both my sons. Strong characters then and now and in their case it was code for bloody hard work. Now they are just stubborn as fuck