Where to Start With Your Spicy One®

  • Does your family have a Spicy One?

    Curious how tricky your parenting assignment really is? Take this quiz to see if your child is a Spicy One—and get a peek at your own spirited side too!

  • What Class Do I Need First? KIDS

    Not sure where to start? Take the quiz to get the best next steps for parenting your Little Spicy One with calm and connection.

  • What Class Do I Need First? TEENS

    Take the quiz to get personalized strategies for handling your teen’s attitude, risk-taking, and drama with confidence and connection.

Explore Resources by Your Parenting Needs

What Do You Need Help With Today? Choose a category to find tools, courses, and downloads designed just for that struggle.

  • "When my child screams or meltdown, I completely lose it..."

    🎯 PRIMARY SOLUTIONS:

    • CALM Class ($49) - Master staying regulated when triggered by your child's words/actions

    • Good Enough Class ($24) - Address the "I'm failing every day" spiral and self-criticism

    • Repair Recipe PDF ($3.99) - Essential for cleaning up after you've lost it

    🎯 SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS:

  • Getting dressed, homework, bedtime - everything's a fight.

    🎯 PRIMARY SOLUTIONS:

    • FIRM Class ($49) - Learn boundaries that work with defiant kids without force

    • KIND Class ($49) - Language that invites cooperation instead of resistance

    🎯 SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS:

  • "They say cruel things, hit, and seem to genuinely hate each other sometimes..."

    🎯 PRIMARY SOLUTIONS:

    • Siblings School ($79) - Stop sibling violence and cruelty without becoming a 24/7 referee

    • FIRM Class ($49) - Hold safety boundaries around violence and cruel words

    • Repair Recipe PDF ($3.99) - Teach siblings how to repair after hurting each other

    🎯 SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS:

  • This kid is great for teachers and even dad, but defiant and disrespectful with mom.

    🎯 PRIMARY SOLUTIONS:

    🎯 SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS:

  • "This child goes from 0 to 100 in seconds... their big emotions take over our entire house."

    🎯 PRIMARY SOLUTIONS:

    🎯 SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS:

  • "I want to set boundaries but I'm terrified of dimming their sparkle with harsh discpline..."

    🎯 PRIMARY SOLUTIONS:

    • KIND Class ($49) - Learn gentle effectiveness that preserves your child's spirit

    • FIRM Class ($49) - Set loving limits that build up rather than break down

    • Good Enough Class ($24) - Release the fear of "getting it wrong" and damaging them

    🎯 SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS:

  • "I get the looks from other parents... Other parents make it look so easy... I'm the mom with the screaming child in Target..."

    🎯 PRIMARY SOLUTIONS:

    🎯 SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS:

  • "They’re pulling away and I'm panicking... I'm worried they won't want a relationship with me as an adult..."

    🎯 PRIMARY SOLUTIONS:

    🎯 SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS:

    • Parenting a Spicy One Book - Chapter 4 helps you define your relationship vision so you parent with the long game in mind, not just surviving today.

    • KIND Class ($49) - Rebuild connection when everything you say annoys them

    • FIRM Class ($49) - Hold boundaries while preserving relationship

    • Repair Recipe PDF ($3.99) - Make amends for past relationship damage

  • "He thinks I'm too soft, I think he's too harsh... Our marriage is suffering..."

    🎯 PRIMARY SOLUTIONS:

    🎯 SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS:

    • Parenting a Spicy One Book - Chapter 21 addresses co-parent conflicts and gives you strategies for getting on the same page when your partner is triggered.

    • How to Say No ($49) - Set boundaries around parenting criticism from spouse

    • Spicy Ones Society Membership ($19/month) - Navigate co-parenting conflicts with live guidance

    • FIRM Class ($49) - Present united front while honoring both perspectives

  • "Will they be able to keep friends? Am I raising a future CEO or future felon?..."

    🎯 PRIMARY SOLUTIONS:

    🎯 SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS:

    • Parenting a Spicy One Book - See your child’s temperament as their superpower and learn how difficult children often become the most brilliant adults.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    • Spicy Ones Society Membership ($19/month) - Community of parents with successful spicy adult children

    • KIND Class ($49) - Nurture their gifts while building character

    • FIRM Class ($49) - Teach life skills they'll need as adults 

Girl scrunching her face and making a thumbs down

“Your Spicy One is your invitation to grow your love for yourself and your child unconditionally.”

— Mary Van Geffen

  • Parenting a Spicy One book

    BOOK

    A compassionate guide for raising a deep-feeling and wonderfully strong-willed kid written just for you.

  • GROUP COACHING

    Don't parent your Spicy One alone — ask your questions and be with other parents who get it in Spicy Ones Society.

  • CLASSES

    Master the foundational skills of parenting strong-willed children with techniques that work without wilting your orchid.

  • NEWSLETTER

    Weekly support and solidarity for overwhelmed parenting of sparkly, sensitive, strong-willed children.