I have been planning on getting a parenting book along the lines of "Raising your sensitive/intense/spirited/intuitive child". That sort of book. Problem is I'm not sure which one my child is and don't want to get the wrong book.
I know this sounds crap as she's 4 so I should know by now but I just can't make her out! I so want us to have a good relationship and I think a book on the correct type of child would help. So I'm hoping that if I describe her here someone who knows about these things might be able to tell me. I've spent years trying to understand what is going on in her head but I have no previous parenting experience plus it's a bit like dealing with a very small mad person!
So, she has always (from a baby) been a crier, a really loud wailing cry even now. I never used to understand when she was a baby (and just thought I was a terrible mum) why my voice never southed her when she was really upset. I think she goes from fine to devastated in an instant and once she's there it's hard to get her back and communicate with her. So I guess she is very emotional. As a baby she hated being changed, so much so that she would cry enough to make my ears bleed (ok I'm exagerating). From birth really she has objected to everything from having her nappy changed to not getting her food immediately. She also used to be so particular about which beaker she had/which way we walked down the road (that was very extreme it seemed to me) etc but that's calmed down a bit.
She is very intense in that she will draw for ages but will often go from one creative activity to the next leaving cellotape/string/tissue paper/glue etc in a trail behind her, she just loves is and does it constantly.
She loves learning and loves it when you tell her new stuff, you can see her absorbing every bit of information.
She's very, very, very, very impatient. Sometimes I think she feels that she is centre of the world but I suppose this is probaby common at that age.
She argues about everything. She asks a lot of questions and then tells you are wrong and can argue forever but usually has very good points!
If she hurts herself she cries A LOT! Sometimes it's hard to know what to do or how bad it is as she cries so much about the tinniest graze. Think she must have a low pain threshold or maybe she's a dramaqueen.
Socially she has lots of friends and it popular. She loves other children. Occassionally she gets shy if she is in a new place with new people but then comes round eventually. Other times she goes straight up to new children and chats away. Maybe it is when she feels secure or something.
I'm making her sound very delicate but in a lot of ways she is very tough. She sticks up for herself and I would say she is assertive (at least she is with us).
I'll add anything else that pops to mind.