When we think of the “quirky” child, our minds often conjure images of the socially awkward kid—perhaps one with oversized glasses, a small circle of friends, and the peculiar habit of munching on bugs for pocket change. This child may not grasp the latest trends in TV shows or music, yet possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of the unusual: whether it’s insects, ancient marine creatures, or vintage train sets. They can go on and on about their interests, completely engrossed in their peculiar passions.
I proudly claim three unique kids of my own. When I say “unique,” I don’t mean they struggle with social interactions or engage in bizarre eating habits. While they might not be up-to-date on the latest pop culture phenomena, they possess a deep enthusiasm for the things they adore. This is the essence of being different: instead of following the crowd with trends like Pokémon or SpongeBob SquarePants, my children boldly venture into their own realms of interest.
Let’s be clear: all kids have their own special talents and passions. However, what sets my kids apart is their obsessive dedication. While others are busy engaging in mainstream entertainment, my kids happily immerse themselves in their individual pursuits, blissfully unaware that their interests might seem odd to others.
This focused passion is particularly evident in my sons, who both have ADHD. I find immense satisfaction in watching them channel their energy into their obsessions. My eldest devours books, plays games, and creates projects centered around the American Revolutionary War, even giving impromptu lectures to his cousin about their imaginary battles in the backyard.
Then there’s my youngest, who has taken his fascination with dinosaurs to a whole new level. While many children might show a fleeting interest in these prehistoric creatures, August is fixated on Spinosaurus aegyptiacus. He knows that this dinosaur roamed the Earth eons ago and dined on sawfish—another obsession of his. We even bought him a Lego sawfish, which he cherishes enough to sleep with. His passion for Spinosaurus is so infectious that he’ll gladly share every detail he knows, and he spends hours poring over books about dinosaurs, particularly the sections dedicated to his beloved Spinosaurus.
This intense focus lays a foundation that will serve them well in the future. My kids have the remarkable ability to embrace their interests so deeply that they block out distractions. For instance, my eldest idolizes Alexander Hamilton as if he were a rock star, belting out lyrics while staging miniature battles with his action figures. Meanwhile, my middle child is developing an obsession with Elasmosaurus, a large marine reptile from the Mesozoic era. It’s heartwarming to see him dig into books and request more information, dreaming of starting his own collection, much like his brother’s Spinosaurus.
Of course, they also enjoy playing with Legos and watching Star Wars—they’re not completely out of touch with pop culture. But they consistently return to their obsessions, eager to share their knowledge with us, often forgetting they’ve already told us the same stories.
Engaging in activities like singing Hamilton and discussing long-extinct reptiles might raise eyebrows among some, but my kids are blissfully unaware of any judgments. They love what they love without concern for societal norms. This uninhibited appreciation for their interests is a precursor to true confidence. Embracing their uniqueness is the first step toward forging their own paths and developing self-assuredness.
My kids may be unique now, but I have no doubt they will be the cool ones in college. They’ll likely move on from their current obsessions—I know I did. My interests have evolved from astronomy to equestrian pursuits, then onto the intriguing mysteries of The X-Files, and eventually to the complexities of adult life, much like my husband, who transitioned from a love of space to a fascination with biology and paleontology. Now, our home is a treasure trove of fossils, much to the delight of my husband who can identify any random bug that crosses our path. Most might find this odd, but it brings us joy.
I’m currently captivated by Twin Peaks, collecting merchandise and even exploring fan fiction. I don’t care if that seems cool or not—it brings me happiness, and I hope my children grow to embrace their quirks, becoming adults who unapologetically pursue their passions without worrying about others’ opinions.
So yes, my kids are unique, and I wouldn’t change a thing about them. From their quirks will emerge something truly wonderful.