423: How to Parent a Strong-Willed Child Without Losing Your Mind // Kirk Martin

423: How to Parent a Strong-Willed Child Without Losing Your Mind // Kirk Martin

Author: Cloud10 March 31, 2025 Duration: 39:41
If you have a strong-willed child, you know that traditional parenting strategies just don’t work. No amount of reasoning, bribing, or threatening seems to move the needle—and sometimes, the more you push, the harder they push back. So what does work? In this episode, I’m joined by Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and host of the Calm Parenting Podcast. With his signature humor and straight-talking style, Kirk shares practical strategies for understanding and guiding strong-willed kids—without constant power struggles. Tune in to learn: ✨ The quickest way to change your child’s behavior (hint: it has little to do with them!) ✨ How to de-escalate meltdowns -- without saying, "Calm down!" ✨ The power of using body posture and tone to foster cooperation ✨ Why strong-willed kids thrive in adulthood—and how to survive their childhood For a FREE printable with tips for de-escalating meltdowns, along with a private podcast feed that includes all of the episodes I've produced on raising strong-willed kids, click here! My friend, if you're feeling exhausted, frustrated, or just plain out of ideas with your strong-willed child, this episode is for you. And please know I'm in the trenches with you, and I'm rooting for you! For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: For a FREE printable with tips for de-escalating meltdowns, along with a private podcast feed that includes all of the episodes I've produced on raising strong-willed kids, click here! Related Episodes: 242: What to Do When Your Kids are Fighting // Dr. Laura Markham 266: Parenting Strong-Willed Kids // Wendy Snyder 391: Parenting a Child with ADHD: How to Stay Calm and Connected // Rachel on The Childhood Collective Episode Sponsors: Acorns Early: Ready to help your kids learn the value of money? Just head to acornsearly.com/3in30 or download the Acorns Early app to get started. Sign up now and your first month is on us! Wild Grain: For a limited time, Wild Grain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box plus free croissants in every box when you start a subscription. BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. Let’s Connect: Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Motherhood often feels like a constant juggling act, leaving little time for lengthy advice or complicated strategies. That’s the exact gap that 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms fills. Each episode is built on a simple, powerful premise: delivering three practical, doable takeaways within a half-hour. Host Rachel Nielson, who brings her perspective as a mother, teacher, and writer, understands that a busy parent’s brain is already full. She curates conversations and shares insights that cut straight to what’s useful, focusing on real-world application over theory. You’ll hear discussions rooted in the daily realities of family life, covering everything from educational activities for kids and navigating family dynamics to personal well-being amidst the beautiful chaos. This isn’t about adding more to your to-do list, but about finding smarter, more peaceful ways to manage what’s already there. The tone is consistently encouraging, aiming to replace overwhelm with a sense of capability and even magic. Tuning into this podcast feels like a coffee chat with a knowledgeable friend who leaves you with clear, actionable steps-not just more noise. It’s a resource for any mom looking to gather concrete ideas for parenting, personal growth, and creating a more harmonious home, all within the span of a daily commute or a folded laundry pile.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms
Podcast Episodes
447: What Parents in Disney Movies Got Wrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:52
Have you ever noticed that some of the parents in Disney movies…aren’t exactly the best role models? They love their kids deeply, but their fears, expectations, and blind spots often get in the way of connection. As I re…
446: Is Perfectionism Good or Bad? // Katherine Morgan Schafler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:19
Have you ever been told that your perfectionism is a problem? Maybe you’ve felt like it’s the reason you’re stressed, restless, or never satisfied with yourself. But what if perfectionism isn’t actually the enemy? What i…
444: The Four Tendencies in Motherhood // Sarah Joslin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:39
Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to stick to goals that matter to you, but you can follow through easily when someone else is counting on you? Or why one of your children seems to resist every rule, while another…
443: Feeding Your Family without Losing Your Mind // Celeste Noland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:15
As school routines settle back in, many moms start looking for a better rhythm with meals—something that feels less chaotic and more doable. But for many moms (myself included), feeding a family brings up more stress tha…
441: The 4 Types of Self-Care Every Mom Needs // Mia Hemstad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:25
We talk a lot about self-care as moms, but most of the time, the examples we’re given (bubble baths, massages, solo Target runs) only scratch the surface. The truth is, there’s not one kind of self-care. There are actual…
440: Tools for Parenting a "Spicy" Child // Mary Van Geffen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:03
Oh, the stories I could tell about raising a strong-willed child. But the truth is, if you have a spicy one of your own, you don’t need to hear my stories because you’ve got plenty of your own! Parenting an intense, pers…
439: 3 Secrets for Calmer, Happier Kids // Ralphie Jacobs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:49
Ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of constant correction, nagging, lecturing, or repeating yourself while your kids seem to tune you out? It happens to almost every parent at some point. In the moment, it can feel lik…