What's your definition of spirited?

[tin roof rusted]

I'm just wondering what everyone here thinks "spirited" is. I think I may have a different opinion from a lot of people, so I was hoping to get some input.

:)

[IrisHope]

When I think of spirited I think of someone who is passionate.

[hockeybrat]

When I think of a person who is spirted, I think of high-energy, passionate about certain things. But I also think of a wild horse (maybe I read too many Black Stallion books as a kid?)

[tin roof rusted]

Hmmmm, yes. I was thinking of children in particular. What makes a child spirited? I mean, what is the difference between a child who has a lot of energy, and one who is spirited? How can we tell the difference?

[curlyq]

truthfully, I think if most ppl. spent time w/ my kid, they'd claim that she's "spirited", but I see it as normal, high energy, two year old behavior... plus I'm laid back and used to it.

won't give specific examples as I'll probably scare ppl. from having children in the future.

[linda_loo]

There is a book out there on raising a spirited child:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060923288/qid=1123708863/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_sbs_1/103-9096687-1866260?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

The title has a little definition to it: "A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic (Paperback)".

I would say that my oldest fits that to a "T", and she has since day 1.

[Winter Biscuit]

I agree that you may get different definitions from different people. I first heard the term 'spirited baby' when I read Tracy Hogg's Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. Her definition of a spirited baby is:

This is a baby who seems to emerge from the womb knowing what she likes and doesn't like, and she won't hesitate to let you know it. Babies like Karen are very vocal and even seem aggressive at times. She often screams for Mum or Dad when she gets up in the morning. She hates lying in her own pee or poop and she says "Change me" by boisteriously vocalizing her discomfort. Indeed, she babbles a lot and loudly. Her body language tends to be a bit jerky. Karen often needs swaddling to get to sleep, because her flailing arms and legs keep her up and overstimulated. If she starts crying and the cycle is not interrupted, it's like a point of no return, and her crying leads to more crying until she's reached a fever pitch of rage. A spirited baby is likely to grab for her bottle at an early age. She'll also notice other babies before they notice her, and as soon as she's old enough to develop a good, firm grasp, she'll grab their toys as well.

[carolc]

I have the "spirited child" book (picked it up for 5O cents at a book sale). Although my DD is a challenge these days (I think she scared the crap out of her grandmother on the last visit, and she certainly seems like a lot more kid to...love at playgroup), at least by the defintion/descriptions in that book, she is not truly "spirited." She has a few characteristics, but she is not the whole package. And I must confess, I am glad. ;)

I think of spirited as the kind of kid who completely runs his/her parents into the ground with (almost) 24/7 need for attention and maintenance from day one. Doesn't eat well, doesn't sleep well, doesn't handle change or transition well, is just "more" screaming baby/tantrumming toddler than the norm.

[jewamese]

"I think of spirited as the kind of kid who completely runs his/her parents into the ground with (almost) 24/7 need for attention and maintenance from day one. Doesn't eat well, doesn't sleep well, doesn't handle change or transition well, is just "more" screaming baby/tantrumming toddler than the norm."

Yes. I think that describes my "spirited" child to a T.

ETA: that as a newborn, she also fits the Baby Whisperer description.

[SuzetteW]

I dunno, I guess everyone has a different definition of what "spirited" means. My kid has "spirit" and quite frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way. He runs, yells, screams, throws tantrums if he doesn't get his way exactly when he wants it, jumps around, fights me on diaper changes, climbs everything, throws food and toys, etc. I guess he can be a bit of a drama king at times and quite the handful but I consider that typical behavior for 2 year olds. I figure there are more toddlers that are "spirited" than the ones who are laid back and easy going.