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#88: Raising Strong-Willed Kids with Peace and Purpose with Wendy Snyder

Season #2

Raising Strong-Willed Kids with Peace and Purpose with Wendy Snyder

In this episode of The Feast Life Podcast, Julie Ross talks with Wendy Snyder of Fresh Start Family about how to navigate parenting strong-willed children with compassion, clarity, and connection. Wendy shares her personal journey from burnout and frustration to becoming a positive parenting educator. Together, they explore how mindset shifts, modeling behavior, and strategic tools can help homeschool parents move from power struggles to peace.

5 Key Takeaways

  1. Reframe the Strong Will:
    Strong-willed children aren't disobedient or broken—they're deeply wired to seek power, purpose, and justice. When viewed through this lens, their behavior becomes a sign of leadership potential rather than defiance.
  2. Paradigm Shift First, Strategy Second:
    Lasting change begins by reconditioning our beliefs about parenting, discipline, and power. Strategy only works when parents first shift their mindset and recognize where inherited patterns might be holding them back.
  3. Discipline Rooted in Connection:
    Wendy introduces her "Firm & Kind Parenting Blueprint," a 4-step process that replaces punishment with empathy, agreements, and empowerment choices. The strategy is most effective when paired with emotional safety and trust.
  4. Repair Builds Trust:
    Repair after rupture is essential. Wendy encourages modeling heartfelt repair—through words, notes, or simple acts of service—to teach children how to take responsibility and restore relationships in a meaningful way.
  5. Joy Comes from Presence, Not Perfection:
    Burnout is common, but joy is still possible. Wendy recommends finding it in small, intentional moments—like making eye contact, offering gentle touch, or simply stepping outside together to reset and reconnect.



Resources Mentioned:

Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/88 for additional resources and links

Free Strong-Willed Child Power Bundle

Fresh Start Family Show Podcast 

Fresh Start Family Website

 

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