Three kids....Three different parenting styles--Addy

Addy is my independent, strong willed child. She sticks to her guns and will question authority when she thinks she is right. She is a little shy in social settings, but quickly makes herself at home after 5 minutes. She loves to wear dresses and fix her hair "in a style." She is brave and cautious at the same time. She is one of the strongest people that I know because she faces needles and finger pricks everyday and rarely complains. She is beginning to know and understand Jesus and it is so incredibly sweet to watch. She loves her brothers, but would rather do her own thing. She has a roomful of toys, but would prefer to color or paint. She laughs and tells jokes. She is forever smiling. She dances and sings when she is happy, and cries when her brothers are hurt. She loves school, but gets in trouble for talking.

Spankings, time outs, taking away privileges don't work for her. What does work is encouragement when she does right, and staying consistent in what we expect of her. For a long time I thought that nothing that we were doing was working, but I can see now that God has slowly been chipping away at the pride that keeps her from listening. And that things we thought went in one ear and out the other have actually sunk in

My prayers for Ad is that she would learn to channel her strong will and independence. That it means never compromising her beliefs in Jesus Christ and standing strong under trials. That she would learn to put others before herself and understand the true value of being a servant. That she would understand that beauty goes beyond frilly dresses and bows and is a matter of the heart. That she would desire to be a wife and mother. That she will always feel loved by us, but will know there is One who loves her more.

She is my beautiful little princess and I love her.