Fulltime Mama My name is Elizabeth, and I am the happy wife of nine years to Fabio and fulltime mama to four beautiful children: Joshua-7, Dominique 5, Israel- 3, and Johann-18 months! We are currently living in Brazil as missionaries and life never ceases to be an adventure!!! I love motherhood with a passion and am passionate about providing a place here at MamaKnowsBest where mothers can learn, grow, and share ... pooling the wisdom of many into one big jackpot for mothers. View all articles | Contact author

On The Horizon - Interview with Kendra Smiley

Recently, my mom gave me a book called Journey of a Strong-Willed Child, by Kendra Smiley.  I had not previously heard of the book and did not know what to expect, but she had pre-read it and told me that she saw my Joshua in its pages. I was curious to see if I would agree.

As Joshua is my oldest child and all of the stages he has gone through have been the first time for us as parents to go through them, I have been very hesitant to "label" him as strong-willed. After all, weren't all children born with a tendency to not want to be controlled by anyone but themselves, like "sheep all gone astray"?  However, as he has gotten older and his younger siblings have gone through the same ages and stages without the same difficulties and challenges, I have come to realize that he is more high-maintenance than most, even though he is not my most outrightly defiant child.

So, I read the book and found it very insightful and encouraging; it inspired hope in me!  One of my favorite parts of the book is that Kendra's own strong-willed child, now a responsible and godly adult, shares his comments at the end of each chapter. I felt like I got a glimpse into my Joshua's head by reading his commentaries! It was great to hear about what was going on in his thinking when he pulled his antics at four, eight or sixteen years old. Truly insightful.

I have contacted Mrs. Smiley and she has agreed to an interview with MamaKnowsBest!

So, do you have a child that you think is "strong-willed"? 

What would you like to ask Mrs. Smiley if you could, about your child, or about her books? 

Please leave questions below! 

By next week I will have compiled her interview, and this is your chance to be a part of it!!

Kendra has a daily radio program heard on more than fifty stations and has authored other books as well, which I have not yet had the privilege of reading, including Do Your Kids a Favor…Love Your Spouse, BE THE PARENT: Seven Choices You Can Make to Raise Great Kids, Empowering Choices, and High Wire Mom - Balancing your family and a business at home. Please check them out at www.kendrasmiley.com.