Madelaine Strydom is a child of God, a qualified teacher, author and parent coach from Durbanville, Cape Town, and the founder of Gentle Words Studio. She brings 25+ years in business leadership, operations and training to her work, helping parents, teachers and caregivers become aware of how everyday words shape a child’s confidence and sense of self. Her book What If They Believe You? offers calm, practical language for the moments that matter most.
Why the Book Found Me
I am one of twins. Although my twin sister and I shared the same beginnings, our personalities, experiences and ways of understanding life developed differently. Seeing those differences made me curious about why two children can hear, feel and carry the world around them in very different ways.
Through honest reflection on my childhood and adult life, I began to recognise how repeated words, family roles and emotional experiences had influenced my beliefs, including the way I understood scarcity, dependency, confidence and belonging. That realisation became part of the reason What If They Believe You? found me. I wanted parents and caregivers to understand that words spoken in ordinary moments can become part of a child’s inner voice and view of themselves.
A focus on everyday language
At Gentle Words Studio, I focus on everyday language and practical support for parents, teachers, caregivers and grandparents who interact with children of every age. The words a child hears in ordinary moments matter, and small shifts in language can make a real difference.
One shared purpose
Parent Coaching, the book What If They Believe You?, the children’s books and the workshops and speaking all grow from the same purpose: helping parents and caregivers find calm, compassionate and effective language for the moments that matter most.
Want to work together?