Parenting a strong-willed child can be incredibly challenging. These dynamic children are prone to power struggles and can be highly sensitive. They are also born leaders, innovators, and precocious. Here you will find effective strategies to connect, motivate, and improve cooperation.
Get a free printable with tips for parenting a strong-willed child at the bottom of this post.
My strong-willed children are my greatest sources of pride in my life. Most certainly, there are times where I feel swept into their emotional roller coaster or in a gridlock with their iron-clad will. However, this is no doubt, these two souls are my greatest sources of joy too.
What is the definition of a strong-willed child?
They may be perceived as difficult or stubborn. However, strong-willed children are kids who aren’t easily swayed. They won’t accept instruction at face value. Naturally, they want to test limits again and again. They want their independence.
“When their heart is set on something, their brains seem to have a hard time switching gears. Strong-willed kids have big, passionate feelings and live at full throttle.” – Dr. Laura Markham, Aha Parenting
Parenting my own strong-willed children, my goal is to find balance. I want them to feel they have the autonomy they need to explore and understand their world. Additionally, they deserve the freedom to express themselves. Whether it be their imaginations or their emotions, my children deserve to have an outlet for their passion. Because of their spirited nature, they also need clearly defined boundaries, predictability and consistency.
Thanks to a lot of research as well as trial and error, I have found wonderful resources and powerful strategies for raising strong-willed children. Below, you will find the best strategies for improving listening, decreasing power struggles and parenting in a way that maintains trust. My number one focus is to maintain my children’s spirits while being their parent.
I hope you find these tools helpful too!
Positive Parenting Strategies for Parenting a Strong-Willed Child
- Your Kids Will Listen If You Do This
- How To Get Your Strong-Willed Child To Cooperate
- Positive Parenting Strategies to Calm An Angry Child
- Parenting a Strong-Willed Child: The key to it all
- Parenting a Strong-Willed Child: Research Says This is the Best ApproachJanuary 12, 2019Parenting Toddlers, Parenting Young Children, Positive Parenting Strategies, Posts, Readers' FavouritesParenting a strong-willed child is full of ups and downs. These children are outspoken, prone...
- How to Get Your Kids to Listen Without YellingAugust 30, 2018Parenting Toddlers, Parenting Young Children, Positive Parenting Strategies, Posts, Readers' FavouritesOver and over again, I have parents ask how to get your kids to...
- Calm an Angry Child: Positive Parenting Strategies That Work!June 14, 2018A spirited, strong-willed, intense, or angry child... these are all terms that we often...
- 10+ Children's Books That Will Make Your Strong-Willed Child LaughApril 4, 2018Parenting a strong-willed or spirited child is prone to power struggles. Sometimes reading and...
- 10+ Effective Strategies to Mitigate Difficult Toddler BehaviourOctober 17, 2017When you're faced with difficult toddler behaviour, it can be painful. You simply want...
- How to End Power Struggles with Your Strong-Willed ChildJuly 3, 2017Strong-willed children are prone to power struggles. They're outspoken and fiercely determined. As parents,...
For additional reading on strong-willed children, check these out:
- 20 Hopes for my Spirited Child
- Parenting your Strong-Wiled Child
- 3 Ways Parenting a Spirited Child can Bring you Joy
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