Hold on Loosely but don't let go......: Personality

Today's church service was about raising teenagers. I don't have teenagers yet, but can remember being a teenager and all that it entails. The service was very interesting, but one point the pastor made was that every child is unique and has and every child's personality was given by god for a purpose. I laughed to myself because my children have very different personalities. Kylie is my sensitive child. Sensitive, sweet, caring and loving. She has a little bit of waterworks and can cry about anything. She is fine with just sitting on the couch reading a book, coloring or just snuggling watching tv. She goes to bed easy and is a great sleeper. Than there is Karly. Karly is my free child. When I say free, I really mean beats to her own drum, does anything and everything she wants, will push the limits to no end. She is stubborn and cool and collected. She rarely cries but does have an outburst here or there. She will hold out on something to no end. Once I stared her down and she stared right back, me actually turning away first. You can put her in time out and she will just sit there and smile (if she stays there), nothing gets to her. Both my girls are extremely loyal to each other. Although they fight over anything and everything, they get upset if the other one is hurt and will defend each other against me. It is an amazing bond so young. So I wonder what god's purpose is to give me two children so different. I tried to take photos today of the girls before church and their personalities came out - Kylie, willing to pose, smiling and Karly stomping away because she did not want her picture taken and I did not hold her hand out the door. In the end Kylie persuaded her to come pose. Another thing they said in church today with children is to pick your battles and win the war. Don't worry about the small stuff so much that you win all those battles but in the end lose the war or your relationship with your child. I hope that is the kind of parent I can be.