Tricks for Homeschooling the Strong-willed Child

Kids are indeed a blessing, and all of them are different. Some are quite laid back and compliant, while others are a little stubborn and resistant. You must be wondering, who are these big strong willed kids? And I’m sure you need some tricks for homeschooling the strong-willed child to keep you sanity.

Read on for more ideas on how to homeschool successfully.

But these kids are mostly the ones who love to break the boundaries and limits. It can be challenging to parenting or homeschool such kids, but at the same time, it is not entirely impossible. 

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Some tricks for Homeschooling the Strong-willed Child

Revamp your perspective

If you are a parent of a strong-willed child, you should be aware of some signs, including a tendency to question everything and argue about anything, a knack for seeking and finding exceptions to the rules, low frustration tolerance, bossiness, and limited patience.

Instead of thinking pessimistic things about these signs, you should consider that when your kids argue about anything and everything, they will indeed speak up when things go wrong. When your kids look for exceptions to the rules means they will always think outside the box come up with better ideas and solutions.

If your kid is a little bossy, he or she can become a great leader in the future. Lastly, limited patience means they will be motivated enough to work efficiently. All we advise is that you should think differently so you can deal in a better way when your kids are around.

Learn to share the power

Rather than taking a dominant position when it comes to solving a problem, you should instead ask your child to put in some effort and help you solve the problems. For example, if your child is not able to complete his or her homework every day, instead of being a boss and laying the laws, you should ask your child how he or she would solve the problems.

When you support him and work, you would surely come up with a mutual schedule that would meet your child’s suitability. When you share the power, you will see work done pretty earlier than before.

Recommended Homeschooling Books for Moms

Are you new to homeschooling? Don’t worry, I’ve got you! Here are some of my favorite books that will equip and help you during your journey.

Homeschool Planning Guide for the Unorganized Mom: An easy-to-follow plan for successful homeschooling when you don’t even know where to startHomeschool Planning Guide for the Unorganized Mom: An easy-to-follow plan for successful homeschooling when you don’t even know where to startThe Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and LifeThe Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and LifeThe Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your KidsThe Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your KidsThe Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at HomeThe Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at HomeA Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of LearningA Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of LearningThe Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child's EducationThe Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education

 

Create a routine to follow

Experts say that strong-willed children tend to do better if they have the practice to follow. We don’t tell you to follow a strict routine as such, but we surely recommend you to have a list of schoolwork and chores you would like to do after a long day of homeschooling.

When you have a daily routine to follow, it gives a clear set of expectations for your kids to comply with the changing lifestyle. Thus, kids don’t enjoy doing school chores as such, but they don’t have an option really if they have a routine to follow. The routine also works because a strong-willed child needs parents who are strong-willed and who are most likely to enforce some rules and routines.

>> See the visual homeschool schedule for more ideas

Give choices as and when possible

Often, when you give orders to your healthy willed child, it will open the door for argument and conflict. But the tables turn around when you give them a choice as they are most likely to cooperate as they will have some say in the matter.

This works best when things are not expected to be negotiated. No doubt, they still have to complete the chores, but they get a choice to choose when to do it.

Avoid reacting to their behavior while forgetting to focus on their heart

Almost all parents tend to get frustrated when their kids push the limits and try to get their way. Instead of focusing on your child’s behavior, you need to get to the core of the problem about what’s going in your kid’s heart.

You should concentrate on molding your kid’s heart instead of changing your behavior.

Learn the good things about your child

The majority of people tend to describe a strong-willed child, but it is a pessimistic connotation in reality. You need to know that strong-willed is one of the most pessimistic traits which require parents to guide and channel their kids in the perfect direction.

Usually, the strong-willed kids are self-motivated and don’t need any motivation as such. They choose to go after what they want instead of letting peer pressure get in their way. Above all, these great traits make them one of the best leaders.

Know that winning battles against your child means losing them

You should take a break and tell your child you would like to talk about it later if winning is going to cost you the relationship. It would be best if you choose to refuse and let your kids avoid getting into an argument by simply saying you need to think more about the matter, and we shall discuss the other day.

Often parents tend to choose the battles which aren’t necessary, and then they don’t even wish to back down. The best advice we can give here is you should be wise and learn to reconsider some things.

You should approach the matter with a kind heart if you still feel you stand firm. When you know to be kind-hearted, it will show your kids that you care about their feelings and emotions.

Praise as often as you can

You need to know that few words of praise go a long way often. You can complement your child on their good behavior if you catch your child’s behaviors often.

Some of the examples of praise can include, I felt nice today, you asked me, I know you worked pretty hard on this project, and I appreciate you, etc. No doubt, even adults love compliments, but kids notice it more quickly.

>> See 30 Praises for your Homeschooled Child for more ideas

Choose to keep your kids busy

Kids who are active don’t have much time to indulge in debates, arguments, or find faults. Often kids who are bored are unhappy. It would be best if you kept your child busy by allowing them to do one or the other activity.

All you need to do is distract your kids.

Hence these are some ways you can do easy homeschooling for a strong-willed child.

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