Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, I was joined by the amazing author and parenting coach, Mary Van Geffen. Since 2011, Mary has coached over 1,700 moms of “Spicy Ones”, walking with them through the same struggles she once thought would break her. She now has a book titled, “Parenting a Spicy One: A Compassionate Guide for Raising a Deep-Feeling and Wonderfully Strong-Willed Kid” which prompts today’s conversation.

As parents of foster and adoptive kids, sometimes we have a “spicy” child - a child who is very emotional, passionate, strongwilled, and maybe labeled as “challenging, difficult, stubborn” and any other descriptors. It can be extremely taxing and difficult navigating this relationship - what do you do when the kid refuses to brush their teeth or change out of their pajamas? It feels like one battle after another, and it can send our nervous systems into overdrive and survival mode, hijacking us into an overly reactive state because we are at our limit. Mary offers a ton of practical advice throughout this conversation – it’s almost like she’s an amazing coach! She has a lot of great insight for shifting our perspective on this “spicy” little one of ours and how to truly connect with them.

I am so glad you’ve joined me for this episode! Let’s dive in!

Key topics in this episode:

• Defining a spicy child and their temperament
• The importance of communication and connection
• Practical tools for daily parenting challenges
• The power of repair and forgiveness in relationships
• Shifting mindset from control to compassion

Connect with Mary on her website or Instagram, and get a copy of her book!

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You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at somercolbert@gmail.com.

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Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning Minute

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