Journey of a Strong-Willed Child

“The key is to equip your child and prepare him for the time when you, his parents, will no longer be in the driver’s seat. Your child will take control of the journey, something he has always longed to do.”

Words from a wise parent? On the contrary, these are words from a strong willed child, turned responsible adult. While many parents face the challenge and overwhelm of handling their strong willed child, words like these can seem more like a dream. A reality far from their reach and that of their child’s.

Kendra Smiley was once that parent, and the quote above came from her son Aaron, the strong willed child. Her journey was no different than yours is today. There was no magical answer that helped her son speak those words of wisdom, nor was there a quick fix. It took devotion, discipline, and perseverance, to guide her son through the toughest of years. Above all else it took courage and strength, courage and strength that came from believing their son was a gift from God.

During an interview with BlogTourSpot.com, Kendra was asked where she got the idea for her book, Journey of a Strong-Willed Child. She shared, “Our strong-willed child became a responsible adult, but it was not without great effort on our part. We witnessed so many kids who were strong-willed, but misunderstood. God had placed a song inside of them, but they seemed incapable of singing that song. Many times it was because of the confusion and lack of confidence of their parents.”

This belief is witnessed throughout the entire book as she challenges parents to take a different view on the strong-willed child. She challenges parents to step outside their box and realize the real potential their child has, and affirms the need for avoiding fatigue, following through on discipline, and not letting your child win the battles you choose to fight, no matter what.

Beginning at birth Kendra and her husband John walk you through their challenges and success with their son Aaron, sharing their experiences and emotions each step of the way. Both parents reflect on that time in their life when they felt overwhelm, uncertainty, and fears as they help to encourage parents that are facing similar struggles now. They share what they know made some of the largest impacts on their son and how you can do the same in your child’s life. You will learn the importance of supporting your child and allowing them to make their own mistakes sometimes, feeling disappointment that is caused by their own choices.

Each chapter offers an inside view as Aaron, the once strong-willed child, comes on the scene to tell you what he was thinking at the time and what motivated him to make the choices he made. One thing you will learn is that every choice was intentional. In my view it is a rare opportunity to have a chance to perhaps understand what motivates your child, a chance to see things through their eyes. Aaron helps to empower parents by giving practical advice on some powerful do’s and don’ts that could make or break your success with your strong-willed child.

Raising a strong-willed child is overwhelming for any parent. Kendra Smiley merely aims to empower and encourage parents as they embark on their own journey with a true blessing from God. I encourage you to read their story and discover some of the strength they used to guide their strong-willed child into responsible adulthood. Before long your child could be sharing their own experiences, helping other parents understand the mind of a strong-willed child.

Who is Kendra Smiley?

Kendra Smiley is an author, speaker, and radio show host. She has been married to John over 35 years and together they have raised 3 sons. She has written more than half a dozen books, spoken to thousands around the country (and abroad), founded and distributed a daily radio program – today heard on more than 40 stations. Kendra connects with people where ever she is – teaching individuals to make the next right choice.

You can learn more about Kendra at http://www.kendrasmiley.com