Includes index.

Understanding spirit. Who is the spirited child? ; A different point of view : building on the strengths ; What makes kids spirited? : why they do what they do ; Matches and mismatches : parents and kids fitting together -- Working with spirit. Extrovert or introvert : finding the energy to cope ; Intensity : diffusing your child's strong emotions begins with you ; Intensity : teaching your child self-regulation skills ; Meltdowns : what to do when everything falls apart ; Persistence : choosing your battles, when to say yes ; Persistence : choosing your battles, saying no ; Sensitivity : understanding how they feel ; Distractible or perceptive : helping them hear our directions ; Adaptability : making transitions easier ; Regularity, energy, first reaction, and mood : understanding the "bonus" traits -- Living with spirit. Planning for success : predicting and preventing the trouble spots ; Bedtime and night waking ; Mealtime ; Getting dressed -- Socializing with spirit. Getting along with other kids ; Holiday and vacation hot spots ; Success in school -- Enjoying spirit. The rose in my garden.

The spirited child - often called "difficult" or "strong willed"--Possesses traits we value in adults yet find challenging in children. Research shows that spirited children are wired to be "more"; by temperament, they are more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and more uncomfortable with change than the average child. In this newly revised third edition of the award-winning classic, Dr. Mary Sheedy Kurcinka provides vivid examples of real-life challenges and a refreshingly positive viewpoint.