116: Do you have a challenging kid? Steps for using positive parenting to aid in positive behavior with parenting coach Wendy Snyder

Do you ever feel like you are at a loss when it comes to how to positively approach your child’s behavior? I myself have a very strong willed little girl, and often wonder if I am being a push over when I let her push my boundaries, but then don’t want to always be correcting or nagging her. Wendy Snyder, is a Godsend to mamas because of what she offers in terms of Redirecting Children's Behavior. Wendy believes in connection over correction and is going to share all about her Positive Parenting Approach with you mamas today. 

This mama of two is a Positive Parenting educator, family life coach & advocate. She is certified in Redirecting Children's Behavior & The Joy of Parenting Program. Wendy founded her online business, Fresh Start Family, so that she could spread the message of positive parenting across the world. She is the developer of online positive parenting courses and also has a monthly membership program to further support families. I downloaded Wendy’s free guide and what I have already read through has helped me immensely!

My daughter is resistant to change, asks why a lot, is highly sensitive, and I can relate to all of the bullets on her list. She talks about how to nurture a child’s strong will through acknowledging their creativity, or natural leadership rather than criticisms. She talks about different approaches to strong willed kids and why having them is actually a blessing. She uses positive role models and successful people, that were once self professed challenging kids as examples. 

Wendy assists families to parent with great purpose and intention by creating healthy, respectful & cooperative relationships.

Today we chat about: 

• How Wendy's experience with her own challenging child led her to become a positive parenting educator 
• Why our own upbringing can affect our parenting approaches immensely 
• How to shift the paradigm towards more positivity when it comes to speaking to our children
• What constitutes a "challenging" or "strong willed child" and why it should be celebrated
• How strong willed children are often quite creative and successful as adults
• Wendy's advice on how to approach topics like sharing, temper tantrums, friendships, etc. 
• My own experience with my toddler and Wendy's tips for positive parenting shifts when I feel I am being too lenient
• How to avoid being "too" lenient or too strict
• Why being honest and humble with our kids when we our frustrated is better than hiding it or yelling
• How to reframe simple sentences with our kids
• Why phrases like "your being a bad friend" is not helpful for challenging kids. Switching the conversation and giving kids options for sharing, for instance, makes them feel less out of control
• How Wendy got into the online parenting coaching business 
• Why business isn't always easy but persistence is key