Sophie is an ordinary human being. She’s just got a good press agent. 
Seriously, though, I did note that health is one of the external factors that determine how you enjoy/experience parenthood. I am quite positive my words would be quite different, with the same child, if she had a history of illness (Sophie has only been sick enough to be taken to the doctor once in her life). So things like bad health, ADD, etc… I’m quite unqualified to answer. I’d love to say “Oh, it will be the same”, but I really can’t… so I won’t.
However, I am positive that a large part of Sophie’s personality comes as a direct result of the decisions and actions her mother and I have made over the past 5 years. When I was younger, I was of the mindset of “My kid is going to be smart! I’m going to read them Shakespeare while they are nursing, play Mozart every night as they fall asleep, and have them knowing the Krebs cycle by the time they’re five!” :smack: :wally
Wrong. The greatest gift we can give Sophie, the most important thing we can do to make sure that she has a productive and happy adulthood, is to make sure she is well-adjusted - what good is brilliance if it’s accompanied by neurosis? Everything we do, from the sterner-than-usual discipline, to the constant declarations of love and respect, to the regular schedule that is her daily life, is with that goal in mind.
So, there’s a lot of love, security, and stability in Sophie’s life, and it has made a loving, stable, and secure child. It is communicated constantly to her, both in our words
“Sophie, we love you so much.”
“Yes, Mommy. I love you too - you’re the best mommy ever!”
“Awwww” giving each other hugs “Sophie, you’re such a great child.”
“Thanks, Mommy.”
and our actions - she is cuddled, read-to, kissed, hugged, talked-to, asked-of (“Sophie, what did you think of the movie?”), and is a full participant in our lives, not just “the kid”, but Sophie, our daughter.
So, that’s how you deal with the “bad ones” - with love, discipline, respect, encouragement, and participation - exactly as you deal with the “good ones.”