Parenting a Spicy One
A Compassionate Guide for Raising a Deep-Feeling and Wonderfully Strong-Willed Kid
Preorder NOW to receive some great bonuses!
Tired of negotiating with a tiny tyrant? Feeling drained by extreme emotions and unpredictable outbursts--including your own? Do you fear you might be raising a menace but also want to avoid dimming their sparkly light? Does "gentle parenting" advice make you chuckle bitterly because it doesn't work on your kid?
Welcome to parenting a Spicy One—a child loyal to their own soul, not your agenda. Mary Van Geffen, coach and adult Spicy One, helps parents stay calm in tantrums, choose connection over control, set boundaries without crushing spirit, and find joy and confidence in raising these future world-changers. Each chapter offers simple, actionable steps and reflection prompts to help you become calmer, kinder, and firmer—transforming your relationship with your child and yourself.
Preorder Parenting a Spicy One and Get 3 Free Gifts!
Affirming the Spicy One Masterclass:
A self paced instructional video to teach you how to connect with your fiery kid and soothe their intense feelings with the truth of who they are. Includes 50 affirmations every Spicy One needs to hear.
Meltdown Meditation for Moms:
Three short audio recordings of Mary guiding you to calm down and center yourself after a blow-up.
Free full Audiobook:
Access to the audiobook which is narrated by Mary!
Click on your favorite retailer to preorder Parenting a Spicy One before February 10, 2026.
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About Mary
Mary Van Geffen is an international parenting coach for Moms of Spicy Ones, as well as a Spicy One herself. Mary helps parents practice the spiritual discipline of staying calm, kind, and firm with their strong-willed kids--especially when they don't deserve it. She combines her training as a Simplicity Parenting counselor and Professional Co-Active Coach with hard-earned personal experience raising her own spirited child as well as her mild-mannered child. She has transformed the lives of over eight thousand mothers with her eight-week group program and on-demand digital courses. She shares daily inspirational tips with her 400,000 followers on Instagram. Her greatest achievement is cultivating a connected relationship with her now-adult Spicy One.
For media inquiries or podcast bookings, please contact Kelli Smith at ksmith[at]bakerpublishinggroup.com.