Raised Resilient: Help Your Highly Sensitive Child

Holiday gatherings can be joyful — and for highly sensitive kids, they can also be a lot. The noise, the people, the excitement, the expectations. This re-released episode revisits a topic so many families struggle with: holiday meltdowns that seem to pop up right before (or during) events. In this episode, we talk through how to support your sensitive child around holiday outings — from gentle pr...

The holiday season is here again — and while it’s full of magic and meaning, it can also feel like a lot, especially when you're the one quietly coordinating all the joy. Gifts, gatherings, school events, traditions… the mental load piles up fast. So this week, we’re re-releasing one of our most-loved holiday episodes — all about three simple, doable ways to lighten that invisible load. These stra...

The holidays feel magical for kids, with nonstop activities, treats, and excitement. But all that joy can also stir up tantrums, meltdowns, impulse-control struggles, and plenty of big feelings for sensitive little ones. So this week, we’re re-releasing an episode that so many parents found grounding and helpful the first time around. You’ll get practical, doable strategies to support your child t...

Have you ever spent a whole day pouring into your sensitive child, only for them to fall apart the moment you walk through the door? It stings — and it’s easy to think, “Why does this feel so ungrateful?” In this episode, I’m unpacking what’s really behind those big emotions, and why they’re not actually about gratitude at all. We’ll look at why sensitive kids often melt down after something posit...

Big changes are tough for sensitive kids — even the exciting ones. And without meaning to, we sometimes make those transitions harder by over-preparing, over-explaining, or hyping things up in hopes it will make them easier. Whether it’s a move, a new sibling, or a big end-of-year transition, sensitive kids feel every ripple. And sometimes, the more we prep or talk about what's coming, the bigger...

If mornings with your sensitive child feel like an emotional rollercoaster — one wrong move and everything spirals — you’re definitely not alone. Maybe they wake up already grumpy, refuse to get dressed, or melt down over something tiny. You start the day exhausted before it even begins. In this episode, we’ll talk about why mornings go off the rails so often with sensitive kids — and why your bes...

If your child has ever completely melted down over something tiny — like the wrong cup, the favorite shirt that’s in the wash, or in my case this week… hair clips — this episode is going to feel very familiar. Because it’s never really about the thing, even though it really feels like it in the moment. I’m sharing a real morning from my own house — one that reminded me how quickly I can slip into...

We all dream of the day our kids can handle their big feelings with ease—when their emotions don’t rule the day, and they can take life’s bumps in stride. But how do kids actually get there? In this episode, we’re diving into what helps children truly build emotional regulation skills—and spoiler alert—it’s probably not what you think. There’s a missing piece in the way most of us imagine emotiona...

This week’s episode features Lesley, a mom whose parenting journey took some unexpected (and beautiful) turns. When she first joined the program, she was a single mom navigating intense meltdowns with her 5-year-old daughter—big emotions, hurtful words, and all the overwhelm that came with them. Just days after deciding to join, life surprised her with an engagement—and suddenly, she was preparing...

Have you ever tried to explain something perfectly clearly to your child—only to be met with tears, frustration, or a complete meltdown? It feels like the more sense we try to make, the less sense it actually makes to them. That’s because when kids are emotionally activated, logic goes right out the window. Their brains simply can’t take in reasoning in those heated moments, no matter how convinci...

This week, I’m sharing one of those small-but-big parenting moments: my 4-year-old daughter learning to ride her two-wheel bike. It was both ordinary and magical, watching her step into something brand new with so much determination. I’d spent time preparing her for what it feels like to learn something new—the ups, the wobbles, and even the possibility of frustration. When the moment finally came...

We’ve all heard the advice: “Just stay calm when your child is melting down.” But if you’ve ever tried it, you know it’s not that simple—and there’s a reason for that. In this episode, we’re unpacking why staying calm can feel so hard in the moment, what’s really going on inside us when our kids are overwhelmed, and what makes a difference in finding our way back. It’s not about perfection—it’s ab...

What do you do when your child’s meltdowns get so big they disrupt everyday life—even cutting a family vacation short? That’s where Emily found herself as a mom of a highly sensitive child. Between the constant meltdowns and the stress of preparing for kindergarten, she was stretched thin and exhausted. In this honest conversation, Emily shares what life was like in that season—balancing two kids,...

Ever find yourself wondering if your highly sensitive child will ever “grow out” of the meltdowns? You’re not alone. A fellow mom asked this exact question after feeling stuck in the cycle of escalating emotions, hitting, and endless late-night worries about the future. It’s the question that so many parents quietly carry: Will things ever get easier? In this episode, we’ll unpack what’s really go...

Starting middle school is a big milestone, and for a highly sensitive child, it can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I share how my oldest son’s recent transition went surprisingly smoothly—and the preparation that made all the difference. I’ll walk through what we did ahead of time to help him feel ready and confident, and why that kind of preparation is so powerful for sensitive kids facing b...

The back-to-school transition can feel like a mountain for sensitive kids—new routines, new faces, and new expectations all at once. And it doesn’t have to be a big milestone year for them to feel the weight of it; even returning to the same school can stir up nerves and overwhelm. What feels exciting to some can feel completely daunting to them. In this episode, we’ll explore why this shift is su...

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...