Easy Going Kid

Updated on July 18, 2011
J.L. asks from San Diego, CA
19 answers

Just wondered if many of you have easy-going, even-tempered kids? I see so many posts where moms have spirited or particularly challenging kids and just wondered if there were many on here who had "easy" kids.

I know, of course, this is a site to ask about our challenges. Just curious.

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So What Happened?

I have what I think of an extraordinarily good natured kid. She's brite, humorous, polite and just a pleasure to be around. She also artistically and academically inclined so when we're not out and about, she can be found at her desk creating, practicing writing, etc. She's 4.5 and been reading since she was 2.5 so at rest time she's surrounded by books, reading her chapter books in bed. I just have so much fun with her and can REALLY relate when others have said it is uncomfortable when others are complaining about their kids and they have little to say.

My friends who know her wondered how I hit the lottery. Even her pre-school teachers said that. Grandparents have a tough time comparing grandkids when they get to see her all the time and have become accostomed to her behavior. Their other grandchild is, ahem, spirited, and parents are a bit more, shall we say, less comfortable setting boundaries.

I love all children, esp the spunky ones and have no problem with redirecting, setting boundaries and using humor to deflect conflict. But I'm also an introvert, have limited energy and feel so lucky to have my daughter who I am so in sync with. Thanks for commenting!!

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A.P.

answers from Eugene on

I have a very mild-mannered, sweet tempered 4-year-old who pretty much goes with the flow and a very sweet so far, even tempered 9-month-old (maybe time will tell). Unfortunately, I feel like my 4-year-old gets pushed around at the playground because so many kids aren't "easy-going"...not to be rude, but they are kind of bratty and pushy--but it doesn't seem to bother him...but it really bothers his mom when he's standing in line to go down the slide and kids push past him!

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A.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm blessed to have an easy going daughter. She's generally very mild mannered and loves to play quietly with her dolls and stuffed animals. We do a lot of activities together and she's a trooper. She does have her moments (don't we all) when she gets tired.

Feel blessed that you have such a great kid!

1 mom found this helpful

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L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

I had a wonderful sweet, even tempered son.
Then he became a teen.
{sigh}

3 moms found this helpful
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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi Jen, I have a few friend with kids that aren't as respectful as they should be. They talk back, and act like they run the show. It drives me nuts. My little girl is 4 years old and is extremely respectful and never steps out of bounds. (I've worked very hard to make this happen) I've always stressed being polite. She says excuse me when she wants to interrupt, and has tons of common sense. These other kids seem so immature and out of control. I see what their parents DON'T do to correct the problems, and I want to intervene so bad, but it's obviously not my place. The only good thing is when I watch these particular kids, they always behave in my house because they know how I work. :) For instance, when my daughter has friends over, I tell her that her friends can play with whatever they want because they don't have the same toys as she does, and that she can play with them any time she wants too.
I've tried really hard for many years to stay away from certain words like "hate" and "I don't care". These words just flow from parents mouth, and I just don't get it. I don't want those words in my daughters vocabulary because I don't want them to not "care" about things and I don't want her to "hate" anything. I always used phrases like, "I don't want to hear it" instead of saying "I don't care if you don't what to do that". She now knows what those word mean, but she never says them.........her friends/cousins do however. Even though they are said around her, she still knows that they aren't word that you say. When she gets a little older, I think I will feel different, but for now, I don't think they are appropriate words for a 4 year old.
Sorry, I know I got a little off track, but I appreciate you letting me vent a little.
I just don't see parents instilling good values in their children anymore, and the kids are so out of control these days. I feel like people don't parent like they did years ago........It's really sad.

2 moms found this helpful

L.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I have a very easy-going teen. He's always been extremely good natured and easy. My big worry with him is that he doesn't always stand up for himself. He usually doesn't even notice the need, and if he does he's too laid-back to care, lol! His younger sibs are more intense, but he rarely gets ruffled. I'm so thankful for mah boy!

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L.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Good question. I wondered about that too. I have four kids and out of the four I guess that only one is really "easy". The rest just have their own issues and even the "easy" one had his but they are very mild compared to the others. That is what makes each child unique to me and their dad. No matter what, we love them all.

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A.N.

answers from Las Vegas on

My almost 3 year old son is about half and half. We just did a one month, 8900 mile, cross country road trip, and he was so good and easy. Most kids wouldn't have been able to sit for 10 hour days in the car, for days on end, but he did it with very little complaining. Most of the time, he has loads of energy, just wants to climb around on everything, including me. He can run for miles, and often doesn't listen very well. We had issues with sleep when he was younger, and he loves to argue, but potty training was a breeze, and he can sit and be read to for an hour (often the only peaceful time I get). I think its a good mix, and although I love it when he is easy, I also love that he has loads of energy and a mind of his own.

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H.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

We have four kids and NONE of them are easy-going. I have heard that although it is difficult now, this will come in handy for them when they are adults. There is a book out there about Strong-willed children that pegs them. I have heard of easy-going kids, but I haven't seen many of them....

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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Easy going, sweet tempered toddler son.
For now anyway as I see teenage years affect boys as well as girls and I've seen the change in my cousin's son. He's not bad by any means but he went from sweet to challenging at 13.
Still I think he's a good kid and will "weather the storm" just fine.
I had a strict upbringing, was a good kid and still had a few challenges for my parents (poor mom and dad) :). Came out ok though.
So you just do the best in parenting, work extra hard and be vigilant during their teenage years and hope you set them up w/the best skills to make GOOD decisions in life's challening road. Life can throw anyone a curve ball.

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T.L.

answers from Detroit on

I have two totally opposite sons. My older son, who is 6, is a sweetheart. He's even tempered and a joy to be around. He listens and is considerate, so far. My younger son who is 2, is very challenging. He gravitates toward making bad choices. I hope he grows out of it..soon!

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B..

answers from Dallas on

My son is only 26 months, but has been very easy-going. I don't know how much that will change as he gets to be an older toddler. However, it's been pretty "easy" up until now.

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A.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have a 4 year old who has been a dream since birth and a 2 year old who has been a scream since 2 weeks old. The scream had issues with my milk that I corrected by an elimination diet, she slept horribly, is hard-headed and pushy and yet unbelievably smart and very sweet when she wants to be.

My dream child has always been mild mannered (with moments of rebellion as any child tends to have occasionally), sleeps well, eats anything we ask her to eat, is happy and excited to go places and try things. I hope my next child is easy too!

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C.W.

answers from Santa Barbara on

My daughter had been even tempered and reasonable since birth! I have always heard stories of difficulties but we lucked out. Even though middle school and high school she was easy going and a blast to be around. She has an awesome sense of humor and is very responsible. We divorced when she was four but lived so close, parented together, didn't fight and she always knew she was our priority. Just a happy and grateful kid...boring huh? She is 18 and ready to start college.

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B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have 8 kids and only two that have ever been challengers. One of those two is just mildly challenging.

You don't have questions about the "no challenge" kids because they "go with the flow" and are easy to raise.

Good luck to you and yours.

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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I was blessed with a son and a daughter who are now, respectively, 18 and 15 years old. I had a tough time with my son (mainly due to colic and lots of other health problems). He also has a "difficult" character. My daughter - no problems (yet). I don't think this is a site to ask about "challenges" , I consider it more a place where people understand where you are coming from! :) All kids are blessings (as far as I'm concerned) and they are no less lovable when "spirited" as opposed to "easy"! Enjoy your kids ... they DO grow up super fast!

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K.K.

answers from San Diego on

Hello, My husband and I had four kids. Each one had their own personality. Our youngest was one who rarely cried as a baby. I was doing full-time daycare in my home when he was born. If I had time to rock him at naptime, he was good with that. If I didn't have time, he would put himself to sleep. He continued to be that way and now is a very nice person. All of my kids have grown up to be nice, but he is just calm and and everyone loves him.
K. K.

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S.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm so glad you asked this question. I don't know why but sometimes parents of "easy-going" kids feel guilty for talking about it. As if we have to find something to gripe about so that other moms won't hate us. I feel this way a lot, and sometimes I say something negative (even when I don't find it to be a real problem - like "my son being so rough when he plays sometimes", when actually he's just a happy, boisterious, imaginative child who is so sweet and considerate - and just being a little boy. He's 3.).

I don't know if my kids are easy-going by nature, but I think it's mostly because of training. The gift that I got from them is that they have always been teachable. So any problems with behavior was always fixed through teaching and training. They have always adapted well to changes and are very friendly, well-mannered kids. Everything I did with my oldest (daughter), from feedings, sleep-training, disciplined, and academics, she has excelled. And I see the same with my son. He just turned 3 in May and he has already learned to read 3 to 4 letter words. Actual reading (phonetically sounding out the letters and putting the sounds together to make the words - not memorizing "picture words"). I can't believe my luck at how teachable my kids are. Even training my kids to love each other, play well together and be gracious to one another was doable. And they are all these things at the tender age of 5 and 3.

Thanks for letting me brag about my kids, I never get to do this. REALLY. NEVER. The moms I hang out with would consider this as being a show off. It's always trying to find the hardships in parenting that I feel most of my conversations with other moms are usually about - conversations that are considered more acceptable.

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C.T.

answers from Santa Fe on

My brother has one child who is very easy going. She has always been easy, sleeps easily, was an easy baby. I'm so jealous. I have one very challenging child (he was also very challenging as a baby) and one slightly challenging kid. She's only 21 months so we will see how she changes as she grows up.

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B.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm glad you asked this question Jen!
My hubby and I are very blessed with 2 girls that are both really easy! Our 4 1/2 year old is just a doll and our 8 month old is following in her sisters footsteps! So yes, we have easy kids!
Cheers
B. : )

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