402 When Traditional Parenting Fails: Raising Strong-Willed Kids

Strong-willed kids don’t respond to “normal” parenting—and that doesn’t mean you’re failing. In this episode, I’m joined by Kirk Martin, founder of CelebrateCalm.com and host of the Calm Parenting Podcast, to talk about what actually works with intense, demand-avoidant, emotionally reactive kids.Kirk shares the personal story behind his work, including his experience raising his son Casey, and explains why traditional discipline, consequences, and power struggles often backfire with these kids. We dive into PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), why labeling kids as “demand avoidant” can miss the deeper picture, and how strong-willed kids often seek intense emotional engagement—not because they’re manipulative, but because they’re dysregulated.We also discuss:Why FAFO parenting doesn’t work for many neurodivergent kidsHow to avoid emotional collisions and stop taking behavior personallyWhy reducing demands isn’t always the answerThe connection between accepting ourselves and accepting our childrenThis conversation is compassionate, practical, and full of paradigm-shifting insights for parents raising kids who feel “too much” for conventional parenting advice.Watch this episode on YouTubeWant help with your ADHD? Join FOCUSED!Have questions for Kristen? Call 1.833.281.2343Hang out with Kristen on Instagram and TikTokSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.