465: When Your Spicy Child Takes All Your Energy (And What That Means for Their Siblings) // Mary Van Geffen

3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms · Jan 26, 2026 · 43m

If you have a strong-willed child, you know how much energy they require—and if you have other kids too, you've probably wondered what this dynamic is doing to their siblings. Are they getting lost in the shuffle? Will they resent their brother or sister? Will they resent you? Many parents worry that their quieter child is fading into the background while the spicy one commands all the attention. And even though you're doing your best, it's hard to know how to protect all your kids when one requires so much more support. In this week's episode, I talked with Mary Van Geffen, author of the…