By Crystal Fulmer 
I am currently raising six kids.
Some are very easygoing and others could argue the paint off a wall.
Those strong-willed ones exhaust me.
They’re the reason my body hurts, my hair is gray, and I struggle to form a sentence some days.
They don’t stop asking—or demanding—until the answer is in their favor.
They push boundaries and can’t let go when things aren’t fair in their eyes.
They enjoy things their way.
But for all their headache-inducing shenanigans, they love fiercely.
They are the first to give hugs and to say sorry when they’ve pushed it too far.
They have a deep sense of empathy that they hide behind their toughness.
They are huge justice warriors and stand up for the underdog.
They’ll go to bat for the people they love —and fight with—the most.
Somewhere along the way, strong-willed children learn how to push themselves the way they do others.
They go after big things and make a huge difference in their sphere of influence.
Strong-willed kids don’t sit on the sidelines. They are confident, brave, and tough . . . and generally quite hysterical if you can get over their irreverence.
Despite how they’ve chipped away at my nerves and patience over the years, I love the drive in my strong-willed ones.
I appreciate how they do everything with boldness—especially love.
by Jesica Ryzynski 
by Jessica Johnston 
