Parenting a spicy child can feel overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting, especially when traditional parenting advice just doesn’t work. In this episode, Mary Van Geffen joins us to talk about what it really means to parent a strong-willed, spirited, intense child without losing yourself or crushing their spirit.

So often, as moms, we unknowingly tie our identity and worth to how our children behave. When our kids are calm, compliant, or successful, we feel like we are doing a good job. When they are loud, explosive, or struggling, we internalize it as failure. Parenting a spicy child brings this tension to the surface and forces us to ask deeper questions about where our identity really comes from. This conversation invites moms to loosen their grip on performance-based parenting and remember that our value is not measured by our child’s behavior, but by who we are and whose we are.

Here is some of what we cover:

How to stay connected to your child so you can guide them long-term
A practical calm down recipe for flare-ups and explosive moments
How to set boundaries without crushing your child’s spirit
Why you are not responsible for your child’s happiness
How to support the mild child in a family with a spicy sibling

Connect with Mary Van Geffen:

Instagram: 🌶️Parenting Education Classes (@maryvangeffen)
Facebook: Mary Van Geffen
Website: Mary Van Geffen

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