Parenting the “Easy” Child

Difficult children demand a lot from parents. Wonderfully, easy children do not. Yet, the easy child should not be overlooked. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Craig Stickling reads a letter from an easy child to her parents. It helps us see the errors we can make when neglecting our easy ones. Moreover, the undue burden that can be placed on them unwittingly.  

Show Notes: 

Definition: Some children require a lot of parenting. Whether it is a streak of rebellion or special needs, these children might provide parents a unique challenge. We might understand them to be “difficult”. 

Definition: Some children do not require a lot of parenting. Whether it is their resilience to respond well to adversity or their innate disposition to please people, these children do not deplete parenting bandwidth. We might understand them to be “easy”. 

Problem statement: Parents can overlook the needs of their easy children. 

Ill consequences:  

• The “easy” child’s identity can get unhealthily tied to their performance. 
• The “easy” child can feel undo pressure to be good and not add stress to the home. 
• The “easy” child can feel an undo expectation to deal with their “issues” alone. 

• The “easy” child can feel an undo expectation to be an adult before they are able. 
• The “easy” child can feel unnoticed by their parents. 

Parenting opportunity: 

• Engage with the “easy” child and acknowledge the family dynamics.  
• Acknowledge the felt reality of the “easy” child. 

• Express notice, care, and love for the “easy” child. 

* Note: The letter written by a child and read by Craig on the podcast was shared with permission of the author.