So I have a new animal in the house. Or rather Natasha has a new responsibility named Teddi. He is the Teddy Bear Hamster pictured left.
As I said here, Natasha started campaigning for a rat about 6 months ago. At first I refused. I have never had a pet rat and just couldn’t go there mentally.
I could have shut Natasha down on the subject. I could have told Natasha to stop talking about the pet rat on pain of grounding (loss of TV time, computer time, gameboy time, sleep overs, play dates).
I didn’t do this for a very important reason. I am working on a long term project with Natasha. She is a very strong willed person. On a scale of 1 to 10, Natasha is a 20. I think she is this way because of her orphanage experiences (the strong and stubborn survive) and her ADHD. Maybe she was born stubborn.
When Natasha first came home at 3.5 years of age from the Green Forest Specialized Orphanage, the strong-will was about attachment. I had to prove that she could trust me. It took a year before Natasha really started believing that I would keep her safe.
Natasha is now 9 years old. I am looking at the future. I see a stubborn teenager. I see her getting fired from her first and second and third jobs due to her stubbornness. Her strong will is her strength and her weakness.
So my long term project is to shape her strong will… to give her tools that will allow her to shine. I am teaching her:
- When to stop pushing a subject
- How to influence people
- How to politely disagree
- How to politely suggest changes
For the last 6 months, I told Natasha my objections to having a rat in the house. One by one she dealt with all of them.
2 weeks ago, we took a research trip to the pet store. Based on our research, Natasha was allowed to purchase a Teddy Bear Hamster. They live 3 years MAX.
And I will admit Teddi is very cute. I have played with him and Natasha.
Life Moves On Anyway
Waiting is Depressing But Life Moves On Anyway
Teaching the Strong Willed Child
Cat Attack