How to Help Your Strong-Willed Child Listen Without Power Struggles

Do you find yourself repeating instructions over and over again?
Does it feel like your child just isn’t that motivated by praise?
Or maybe your child is so sensitive to your tone that even a slight shift brings on tears?

If you’ve nodded along to any of that... you're not alone.
And it can be really stressful — not just for you, but for your child too.

So what’s really going on? And what can you do about it?

Understanding what’s beneath the behaviour

If your child is strong-willed, they often need to feel like they have some sense of autonomy or control in order to engage with you — especially when it comes to instructions.

They may not respond well to traditional discipline or praise, because these things often feel externally motivated... and strong-willed children are more internally driven.

They’re not trying to be difficult.
They're trying to be understood.

It’s all in the language...

In this month’s episode (linked below), I talk about what might be happening beneath the surface and what shifts you can make — starting with your language — to help your child want to listen more.

It’s not about being stricter.
It’s about being more intentional in the way we communicate.

Our intention is to share tips to help your child feel heard, understood and more likely to co-operate — without the constant repetition.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone

Here at dinacooper.com.au, one of the things we love most is hearing from our amazing community of conscious parents. Some of the most powerful breakthroughs come directly from you — the mums and parents walking this journey every day.

So we’d love to hear from you:
💬 What helps your strong-willed child listen more?
💬 What language changes have made the biggest difference?

▶️ Watch the episode now to learn how to shift your language and support your strong-willed child with less stress and more connection.