Aaron's Way: The Journey of a Strong-Willed Child [Paperback]

Kendra K. Smiley (Author), Aaron Smiley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

'One of us may not live through your childhood'. Not only did Kendra Smiley live through Aaron's childhood and teen years, she's telling about it! And a unique twist is the fact that Aaron himself, now a young man, is testifying to his journey as a strong-willed child under the able parenting of his mother and father. How does a parent maintain control - of self and of the child? If you've ever struggled with these questions, you need this book!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kendra Smiley, a former Illinois Mother of the Year, once thought she had met her match in her strong-willed middle son, Aaron. This clever and manipulative child desired to be in control to such an extent that he would sometimes endure punishment just to avoid admitting he was wrong. Because the book relies almost exclusively on one family's experience without drawing on relevant behavioral or scientific studies to place that experience in context, it is not quite up to the standard of other guides about strong-willed children. However, the book succeeds as a friendly first-person narrative about parenting a stubborn or strong-willed child from birth through the end of high school. Each chapter presents Smiley's suggestions, supplemented by sidebars from Aaron, now grown, who reflects on what it felt like to be a strong-willed child and why he behaved in the ways he did. The book offers a Christian perspective that parents may find helpful in raising challenging kids.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

KENDRA SMILEY, homemaker, speaker, author, and former teacher, has raised three sons with her husband, John, on the family farm in Illinois. Named the Illinois Mother of the Year in 2001, she is a popular speaker for Christian and secular venues alike including TLN Live and parenting seminars with her husband. Her daily radio show, Live Life Intentionally, is heard on the New Life Radio network and beyond. She is a regular contributor to Christian Parenting Today and Hearts at Home Magazine. Kendra is the author of six books, including the popular Aaron’s Way, which deals with raising the strong-willed child.
c.2006

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802443494
• ISBN-13: 978-0802443496
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #694,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John and Kendra Smiley are popular speakers and authors, ministering to parents nationally and internationally. Named the Illinois Mother of the Year in 2001, Kendra hosts a daily radio show, Live Life Intentionally, heard on over 150 stations including the Moody and Northwestern networks. She and John also have a weekly five-minute radio segment, Parenting Like a Pro and a television feature by the same name broadcast weekly on the Champaign, IL ABC affiliate. John is a retired USAFR pilot. The Smiley's live on a working farm in central Illinois. They are the parents of three married sons and have four granddaughters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an eye-opener!, May 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Aaron's Way: The Journey of a Strong-Willed Child (Paperback)

I received this book as a gift during a retreat, and have read it with great excitement! I now know that I do in fact have a strong-willed child (as I suspected), but my husband and I will now hopefully do a much better job of parenting him! Thank you, Kendra and Aaron, for your honesty and willingness to share your story. I can only pray that my 'high-maintenance' child will grow and become the incredible man that your son has so obviously become. Thank you to Kendra and John for your willingness to share not only the success stories but also examples of what could have been done differently! God has blessed us with our children, and we are blessed by your writings.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Liberating Read, January 15, 2007

By 

Brenda Nixon (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aaron's Way: The Journey of a Strong-Willed Child (Paperback)

The Birth to Five Book: Confident Childrearing Right from the Start

Strong willed children want to be loved, too. I know, I am one. When I was a child, my mother would get into power plays with me. I don't even remember the issue, but the challenge to win was the best part for me.

Strong-willed kids are also enamored with decision-making. As much as possible (or when appropriate), give them a choice. Wear them out with decision-making. Today as a mother of two daughters, I enjoy raising my women of substance, rather than overly-compliant, weak-willed kids.

I like how the author blows away some of the common assumptions of the strong-willed child. Her introspective questions guide readers into effective communication with their child. She also points out those strong-willed children can become great leaders, pioneers in a field, champions for justice, determined to attain goals, and wonderfully devoted friends. For parents struggling with ways to love and nurture relationship with their strong-willed child, find insights and strategies in this book.

Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Author of Parenting Power in the Early Years

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kendra TOTALLY gets it!, July 1, 2006

By 

Kitty H. Campanella "rev mom" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aaron's Way: The Journey of a Strong-Willed Child (Paperback)

By virtue of the fact that I've found and read this book, my own strong-willed son (also named Aaron, coincidentally) will live to adulthood. This has been the most helpful and most informa-tive book that I've ever found for dealing with this issue and with these children who deserve respect and understanding.

As a Christian, I appreciated all the biblical citations found on practically every page to encourage me in my relationship with my child. If I had to choose between this book and Dr. James Dobson's new version of The Strong Willed Child, I'd choose this book!!! It is a long awaited treasure.