October 29, 2025 – Should I Homeschool My Strong-Willed Child?

Hal and Melanie Young

A Treasure From a Challenge

Should you homeschool your strong-willed child? Absolutely! All eight of ours were strong-willed, which wouldn’t surprise you if you knew the two of us. Your child probably got it from you, too. Ask your mother if you don’t believe it. Okay, okay, so maybe it was your mate, but they still came by it honestly.

Strong-willed children are treasures, who can grow up to do big things, even if they are a bit challenging to raise. Don’t you think Winston Churchill, known for saying “Never give in—never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force,” was a strong-willed child? We’ll bet he was a pickle at eleven years old!

What can you do, though, when God has put a Churchill-wannabe in your family? How do you get them to do what they need to do?

Give them time to calm down and be teachable when they’re upset.

Work hard on relationship. Listen a lot. Hear them out. 

Explain the why of what you’re doing or why they are being disciplined. Often, these kids are really bright and they want to understand.

Don’t lose your own temper. If you get out in the storm with them, there’s going to be damage, just like ships in a hurricane. 

Strong-willed kids need a calm, firm, loving hand to develop into the amazing men and women they can become! 

Your friends,

Hal & Melanie

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About the author

Hal and Melanie Young have been homeschooling almost as long as they’ve been married, and they’re still happy with both decisions! They wrote My Beloved and My Friend: How to Be Married to Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses to encourage their young adults – find out more at raisingrealmen.com.

At Judson College, we offer biblical and practical training for wherever you’re called to equip you to live all of life for Christ. https://judsoncollege.com/

Todd Wilson

Homeschool Your Strong-Willed Child!

Should I homeschool my strong-willed child? Yes. Yes, you should. You betcha. Of course.

There are no exception clauses in this homeschool answer. Kids are kids. Some are strong-willed and others are . . .  weak-willed(?) They all have strengths and weaknesses, and home is the best place for all of them.

Now, are strong-willed kids harder to teach at home? Maybe. But they’re not broken or in need of some expert to teach them. In fact, one of my reasons for teaching all my kids at home (and we have strong-willed ones as well) is that I want them to learn to obey and listen to us, not some stranger, because we’re the ones who they should be listening to—we’re the ones God told them to listen to. And we’re the ones God said it wouldn’t go well for them if they don’t listen to us.

Now others might tell you otherwise, but they’re wrong. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you you should not be teaching one of your children, no matter how strong-willed or weak-willed your child is. God knew all your children needed you.

Next question. 🙂

Be real,

Todd

P.S.— Need a fun daily encouragement in homeschooling? Check out our new and improved version of the Smiling Homeschooler Daily Desk calendar. It’s like having me sit on your desk . . . reminding you of what matters most. Get it here.

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About the author

Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly e-mails, podcasts (The Familyman Show & The Smiling Homeschooler), seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd, and his wife Debbie, still homeschool two of their eight children (six have graduated with four married) in northern Indiana. You can read more at www.familymanweb.com.

Learn to love the ancient language of Latin with JAMwithLatin.com an online classroom with a modern approach to learning a classical language. 

Heather Vogler

Have You Ever Ridden a Saddleless Horse?

I did, and I am not a fan. My husband and I were invited to go riding with friends at a nearby hippy commune. I should have known traditional horseback riding rules would not be followed. Note the word hippy. I was not prepared. My brief exposure to English riding, complete with perfect posture, hard hats, and blue ribbons for jumping over strategically placed jumps, was no match for the unhinged adventures that awaited us. Face-to-face with a beautiful beast, I was given a bridle, but no saddle. Fear did not grip me until I reached a full canter, or gallop. What do I do with my feet? How do I position my body? I felt helpless. Saying that I was scared was an understatement. I had cantered dozens of times, but I would have needed to have much more experience to be prepared for going saddleless. I also would have needed to experiment with walking and trotting without a saddle before going into an all-out gallop in a vast open field. I don’t know if everyone else saw my hesitation and fear. It was probably revealed when I had the horse on a slow walk the way back. 

Letting our children conquer the world without boundaries can be just as dangerous. We might think that we don’t have the proper tools in our toolbelt to teach or train the strong-willed child, but we do, and as parents, we are the perfect ones for the job. With the proper structure and boundaries, we can teach our child how to learn within the limits we set before them. Once they have learned the basics within the safety of your own home, then you can release them, without a saddle, when ready. 

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About the author

Heather Vogler, her husband, and five children call the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia home where they homeschool and homestead. Heather has homeschooled her children from the beginning and enjoys an eclectic style of teaching. As a freelance writer she has been published in Focus on the Family Magazine, War Cry Magazine, and Brio Magazine. Heather holds a BA in Christian Ministries and currently writes at ThriftSchooling.com.  

Christine Weller

Use that Determination! 

Homeschooling a strong-willed child may feel daunting, but it can be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll ever make. Strong-willed children often have a deep sense of determination, a need for independence, and an eagerness to learn on their terms. These traits can thrive in a homeschool environment tailored to their unique needs.

Why Homeschooling Can Help:

1. Individualized Learning: Homeschooling allows you to create a flexible curriculum that meets your child’s interests and learning style. Strong-willed children often resist rigid structures, so personalized lessons can help them stay engaged.
   
2. Freedom to Explore: These children flourish when they’re allowed to ask questions, experiment, and dive into topics they’re passionate about. Homeschooling fosters curiosity and gives them the freedom to take ownership of their education.
   
3. A Safe Space to Grow: Homeschooling provides a nurturing environment where your child can learn without judgment. This is especially important for strong-willed kids who may struggle with authority in traditional school settings.

Strategies for Success:

• Set Clear Boundaries: Strong-willed children need consistent expectations. Establish a balance between structure and freedom by setting clear rules while allowing choices within those boundaries.
• Focus on Connection: Build trust by showing empathy and understanding. Strong-willed children respond well to respectful communication and a supportive relationship.
• Leverage Their Strengths: Channel their determination into positive challenges like hands-on projects, leadership opportunities, or business endeavors.

Homeschooling a strong-willed child requires patience and creativity, but the results can be transformative. When you focus on their strengths and nurture their passions, you’re not just educating them—you’re preparing them to use their determination to make a meaningful impact in the world.

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About the author

Christine Weller has been homeschooling her two boys, 10 and 6, since birth in the lovely province of Ontario, Canada. She is also a mom blogger and children’s book author. She is currently working to support homeschoolers everywhere through various roles at The Old Schoolhouse®.

Does your child want to know the “why” and “how” behind concepts? For strong-willed learners who love to tinker, Tinkers’ Club invites hands-on experimentation with challenges that explore physical science concepts while engaging your child’s imagination, curiosity, and critical thinking skills. Give them ownership, confidence, and discovery in their learning with this course from SchoolhouseTeachers.com.