Practical Advice for Parenting Strong-Willed Children

One of my boys is strong-willed. Over the years, Jean and I have joked that we were raising a lawyer-in-training. He could find a loophole in anything.

Once, Jean hosted a women’s tea and set out chocolates in the living room. She later discovered half the bowl was gone. When she asked our son if he’d eaten all the chocolates, he responded, “No,” without hesitation.

“You didn’t eat the chocolates?”

“Oh, I ate some of them. But you asked if I had eaten all of them.”

If you’ve got a strong-willed child, you’ve probably encountered a humorous situation like that. You may have even locked horns in a way that was no laughing matter. Strong-willed children rarely back down from a fight or hang their head in defeat. They’re happy to battle for control.

Life with a strong-willed child can be challenging, but the news isn’t all bleak. Strong-willed children have inner strength, a positive attribute when it is channeled properly. Some of the most accomplished people in the world achieved success by harnessing their inner determination. The impossible becomes possible because they’re not easily discouraged.

How do you teach your strong-willed child to funnel their will in the correct direction?

We’re answering that question on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Practical Advice for Parenting Strong-Willed Children” with our guest Cynthia Tobias.

She knows a lot about strong-willed children. Not only is she trained to work with young people, but she was strong-willed as a child and is strong-willed as an adult. She explains how to be creative when you’re raising a strong-willed child.

Listen to our full conversation on your local radio station, online, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

I’d like to extend an invitation for you to become a special partner with us through our monthly “Friends of Focus on the Family” program. When you do, I’ll send you a copy of Cynthia’s book You Can’t Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded) as a way of saying thank you for touching others with the love of Christ. You’ll also receive member-exclusive benefits. To make your pledge, or for more information, click here or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).