Raised Resilient: Help Your Highly Sensitive Child

In this final Summer Rewind episode, I’m joined once again by veteran teacher and fellow parent Jess Hammond for the second half of our honest, two-part conversation. This time, we’re talking about helping kids build independence with their schoolwork—and what to do when they hit a wall. We also wade into the tricky waters of homework—what’s helpful, what’s not, and how to advocate for your child...

In this 5th episode of our Summer Rewind Series, we’re bringing back part one of a heartfelt, insight-packed conversation with one of my closest friends—a teacher with 23 years of experience and a parent to two elementary-aged kids. Her dual perspective is one every parent needs to hear. We talk about how to build strong connections between parents and teachers early in the school year, navigating...

We’re continuing our Summer Rewind Series by bringing back another favorite episode—because baby sleep struggles never really go out of season. If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “how do I get my baby to sleep?” at 3am, you’re definitely not alone. Baby sleep can feel like one of the hardest parts of parenting, and the pressure to pick a “side” only makes it harder. In this episode, I chat wit...

This episode is the third in our Summer Rewind Series, where we’re bringing back past favorites to revisit with fresh perspective. If you’ve ever struggled with picky eating, mealtime stress, or worries about your child’s nutrition, this conversation is one you’ll want to hear. In this replay, I chat with peaceful parenting educator and mom of three, Bekah Groop, about how to raise intuitive eater...

Summer’s a great time to slow down, reflect, and revisit some of the most powerful parenting conversations—and that’s exactly what we’re doing in the Summer Rewind Series. This week, we’re revisiting an honest and relatable episode all about navigating parenting when you and your partner don’t exactly see eye to eye. If you’ve ever felt like you’re parenting on an island—one partner leaning into g...

We’re kicking off the Summer Rewind Series with some of your favorite past episodes—perfect for summer walks, long drives, or relaxing in the backyard. Even if you’ve heard them before, these conversations still hold so much value, and you just might hear something new now that you're in a different season of parenting. Getting kids outside is truly magical. Fresh air can calm a fussy baby, suppor...

You know your child’s emotions aren’t something to fix—but in those overwhelming moments, it’s easy to fall into sneaky habits that quietly send the message, “Let’s make this feeling go away.” Especially with highly sensitive kids, the urge to soothe or solve can show up even when you’re trying your best to hold space. In this episode, we’re unpacking 5 surprising ways you might be unintentionally...

Co-regulation with highly sensitive kids is powerful—but it can get really messy. In this episode, we’re talking about what it looks like to stay grounded when your child is overwhelmed, pushing you away, and drowning in big emotions. I’m sharing a personal story from a recent parenting moment that reminded me how connection often starts in the mess. It wasn’t perfect, but by staying close and qui...

When a family member is struggling—or no longer part of the picture—it can be hard to know how (or if) to talk about it with your child. But with highly sensitive kids who notice everything, silence often feels heavier than the truth. In this episode, we’re exploring how to gently and honestly talk about tough family dynamics in a way that feels supportive and rooted in connection. Inspired by a l...

Some parenting moments feel impossible—and in this episode, I’m sharing one of the hardest I’ve had in a long time. It was a perfect storm of exhaustion, overwhelm, and a tough transition for my oldest, who’s struggling with the shift to middle school. When a big emotional explosion hit right at dinnertime, I didn’t handle it perfectly—but what happened next changed everything. I’m pulling back th...

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is one of those labels that can feel heavy and confusing—especially if you’re parenting a highly sensitive child who seems to check all the boxes. But what if the real issue isn’t defiance at all? In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really going on with kids who show ODD symptoms and why so many sensitive kids fit this description. Today I’m getting hone...

Kate was at her breaking point. As a single parent navigating co-parenting while carrying most of the parenting load, she felt completely overwhelmed—especially when her highly sensitive daughter was having 90-minute meltdowns every single day. Daycare pickup was a battle, and nothing she tried seemed to help. She knew something had to change, but she had no idea where to start. In this episode, K...

You try so hard to stay calm, but somehow, the yelling keeps happening. You regret it, swear it won’t happen again—yet the next day, there it is. Sound familiar? The truth is, the real reason you’re yelling isn’t what you think. In this episode, we’re getting to the root of those big reactions. I’m breaking down the hidden “traps” that keep parents stuck in the yelling cycle, why traditional advic...

We all mess up as parents—it’s inevitable. No matter how much we read, learn, or try our best, perfect parenting doesn’t exist (trust me, I’ve checked!). But here’s the good news: there’s one simple yet powerful thing we can do that truly changes everything, no matter how big or small the mistake. In this episode, we’re talking about the most important tool you have for repairing those tough momen...

You’ve read all the parenting hacks, tried the scripts, and followed the expert advice—but somehow, things still aren’t clicking with your sensitive child. The meltdowns keep happening, the challenging behaviors don’t seem to change, and the connection you’re working so hard to build still feels shaky. So what’s missing? In this episode, we’re digging into why hacks and scripts alone won’t get you...

Sometimes, the best conversations with our kids happen when we’re not asking direct questions—when we create space for them to open up on their own terms. Recently, I found the perfect low-pressure moment with my son, and what he shared with me was something I never would’ve gotten from a sit-down heart-to-heart. In this episode, I’m sharing how I’ve learned to stop pushing for answers and instead...

Ever feel like you’re just getting through the days instead of actually living them? Like you’re running on fumes, reacting to every meltdown, and collapsing into bed without even remembering half of what happened? If so, you might be stuck in survival mode—and trust me, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into 3 sneaky, but ever-so-present, signs that you’re operating in survival mode...

Birthdays are pure magic—but if you have a highly sensitive kid, you know all that excitement has to come out somewhere. My daughter just had the best Frozen-themed party, playing with her cousins and soaking up every special moment. But then… bedtime hit. And one tiny thing (a blanket not laying just right) led to a full-on meltdown. In this episode, I’m sharing what was really going on beneath t...

When your kid hits, it’s so easy to go straight to, “No hitting! Hitting is bad! We don’t do that!” But what if I told you that reaction might actually be making things worse? Yep, even though we’re trying to stop the behavior, we could be amplifying it without even realizing it. In this episode, we’re breaking down why kids hit, why they often already feel bad about it, and how our go-to response...

Emily and her husband were stuck in a cycle of yelling and physical punishment—approaching parenting from completely different perspectives. She wanted a more connected approach, while he believed discipline meant spanking. It felt impossible to get on the same page, until they took a leap of faith: an 8-week commitment to no spanking. What happened next completely transformed their home. In this...

When your highly sensitive child starts using baby talk, it can throw you off. Is this a setback? Anxiety? Something bigger? In this episode, we’re digging into what’s really going on, why it can feel so triggering, and how to shift your perspective so you see it as a window into your child’s emotional needs—not something to “fix.” This topic comes straight from a listener’s question, and it’s one...

It was one of those mornings—the kind where sibling arguments escalate, patience runs thin, and you’re stuck in the moment with no easy way out. On a walk to school, tensions were high between my boys, and I’ll be honest—I didn’t handle it well at first. But then, I made an intentional shift, one that changed everything. And here’s the thing: these shifts can’t just be surface-level fixes; they ha...

Parenting is more than just the obvious tasks—it’s also the invisible mental load that weighs us down. From remembering appointments to keeping track of snacks, homework, and emotions, it feels like there’s always something to manage. In this episode, I’m sharing how overwhelming this can be and how it often feels like we’re carrying it all in our heads without a break. But here’s the thing: you d...

Some nights just feel impossible—especially for our sensitive kids. After a long, busy day, my almost 4-year-old was completely unraveling. She was overtired, overwhelmed, and had just hurt herself in the car. Every little thing was setting her off, and no matter what I did, the tears kept coming. In this episode, I’m sharing how I held space for her big feelings, even when it was hard. Most of us...

Gentle parenting is often imagined as staying calm, speaking softly, and always keeping our cool—but that version of it just doesn’t work for highly sensitive kids. In fact, if you’ve ever tried to white-knuckle your way through frustration, you know it doesn’t help. Sensitive kids pick up on everything, and when we suppress our emotions, it can actually fuel more meltdowns, not prevent them. In t...