Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled How to Help a Strong-Willed Child (Without Wounding His Spirit)
Aug 5, 2025
A parent grapples with her energetic, strong-willed four-year-old who often runs ahead during nature walks. She struggles with feelings of frustration and pressure from other parents. The discussion focuses on how to guide such spirited children without stifling their independence. Empathetic approaches and practical strategies are shared to foster a supportive environment that honors a child's free spirit while encouraging better listening.
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Child Overwhelm Mirrors Parents
- Children with strong-willed energy get overwhelmed easily, reflecting their parent's stress.
- A parent's overwhelming feelings amplify the child's overwhelm, especially for sensitive, intense kids.
Sibling Birth Stresses Child
- A new sibling dramatically shifts a child's world, creating emotional stress.
- Acting out is a child's way of expressing this unease and seeking attention.
Strong Will is Overwhelm, Not Defiance
- A strong-willed child's challenging behaviors stem from being overwhelmed, not defiance.
- Understanding this helps parents respond with empathy rather than frustration.
