It was such a joy to get to chat with Wendy Snyder, parenting coach and founder of Fresh Start Families. Her passion for shifting the way we think about parenting and relationships with our kids is such an inspiration. If you are a parent of a spicy/strong-willed child, then this is the episode for you! She discusses “out of date” parenting models that are heavy with punitive measures and why these not only cause disconnection and harm in our relationships with our kids, but ultimately why they’re not effective or the way we all flourish. She opts instead for compassionate discipline which she talks about in the episode. I love the practical ways she gives us to empower our children and ourselves by meeting our needs and attuning to our kids. Her personal story and how she landed on this way of parenting resonates so much with my own story and I love the way she talks about strong-willed children and discusses their intense needs to feel powerful and a sense of belonging. So often times we hear this “need for power” as a negative thing, but Wendy talks about how we all have this need, it’s biological, and we all have it in varying degrees. When this bucket isn’t getting filled, this is when we see resistance or less desirable behavior in us all. She gives the example of even how we see adults speak to a coffee barista rudely, when that bucket isn’t being filled. Wendy’s passion is contagious and I am so excited to share our chat with you. 

You can find Wendy and learn more about Fresh Start Families and her resources, coaching services, course information, and membership group information on:

-Instagram @freshstartwendy

-her website FreshStartFamilyOnline.com

-her podcast Fresh Start Family Show

I mention the following people/resources in the episode:

Spicy Ones, coined by Mary Van Geffen @maryvangeffen

@singinghome and how she helps moms yell less through regulation awareness, music, and singing

*Raising Your Spirted Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

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