Raised Resilient: Help Your Highly Sensitive Child

We've all been there: trying to help our highly sensitive kids use coping skills, only to realize they’re still overwhelmed. In this episode, I’m sharing why coping skills don’t always work for sensitive kids—and how you might be using them wrong without even knowing it. It’s easy to fall into the habit of asking your child to use a coping skill to escape big emotions, but that doesn’t teach them...

Let's talk about the challenges of overscheduling, especially when it comes to highly sensitive kids. Sensitive children need more downtime to unwind and regulate, and without it, they can quickly feel overwhelmed. But how do you find the right balance? I’ll share my own journey with my now 10-year-old son, who, after years of trial and error, has learned to recognize when he needs a break. You’ll...

Transitions can be challenging for all of us, but for highly sensitive kids, they can feel overwhelming and intense. In this episode, we dive into why transitions are so tough for sensitive children and how their emotions are magnified during even the smallest changes. It’s more than just shifting from one activity to another—it’s a full emotional experience that often leaves them feeling unsettle...

Becoming a first-time mom is hard enough, but when you’re parenting a highly sensitive child, it’s a whole different ballgame. In this episode, I’m sharing the 3 biggest mistakes I made as a new mom to my highly sensitive child – and trust me, I’ve learned a lot from them! From trying to fix every meltdown to worrying too much about every little thing I felt I did wrong, I made some missteps that...

You’ve probably seen it all over social media – people saying that validating feelings just doesn’t work for highly sensitive kids. But is that really true? In this episode, we dive into why so many parents are frustrated with the idea of validation and why it often feels like it’s not working. Spoiler alert: It’s not about what you’re doing, but when you’re doing it. I’ll share the 3 biggest mist...

Anna and Josh were really struggling with their highly sensitive middle daughter. Hour-long meltdowns and endless frustrations had taken over their lives. They spent their days walking on eggshells, constantly trying to calm her down without much success. After going through my Chaos to Connection program, they saw a remarkable shift. Their daughter’s meltdowns have drastically reduced, and they’r...

We’ve all been there—when our kids hit, kick, or say something unkind, the instinct is to lecture or give consequences. It feels like the only way to teach them a lesson, right? But what if that approach is actually reinforcing shame and leading to more negative behavior? In this episode, I explore why traditional discipline techniques don’t work for sensitive kids and can actually backfire. Inste...

Ever worry about taking your sensitive kids out, knowing a meltdown might be right around the corner? In this episode, I’m sharing a recent experience from a family dinner that didn’t go quite as planned. With my 3.5-year-old having had a long day and pushing past her usual bedtime, I knew it could be a challenge. But with the right mindset and a little teamwork, we made it through by taking turns...

In today’s episode, the focus is on a topic that’s on so many parents’ minds: how to raise resilient, sensitive kids without fostering entitlement. With all the buzz about kids today being “too entitled,” this conversation challenges that narrative and offers a fresh perspective. The episode explores why emotional expression doesn’t equal entitlement, and how building resilience is key to helping...

In this Parenting Reflections episode, I share a surprising moment from my son’s soccer practice that led to a powerful parenting lesson. What started as an ordinary practice turned into a deeper conversation about what it means to be a good coach, and how we can better support our kids when they face challenges. This experience highlighted the importance of validation, compassion, and positive re...

Mornings can be especially tough when it comes to school drop-offs, particularly for sensitive kids. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 tips to help make those drop-offs smoother, from preparing your child ahead of time to adjusting your own mindset and energy when you arrive. A calm, confident parent can make all the difference for a child struggling to separate. Sensitive kids feel emotions deeply,...

This week, I’m switching things up a bit and taking you behind the scenes of a typical day in my life. From the moment I wake up to the time my head hits the pillow, I’ll walk you through how I manage all the demands of parenthood, work, and life – and, spoiler alert, it’s not about spending hours on the floor playing with my kids. Instead of the pressure to be constantly entertaining or engaging...

In the second half of this insightful interview, the focus shifts to the heart of parenting and teaching. Discover ways to foster independence in kids with their schoolwork—encouraging it and handling challenges when they arise. The discussion also covers the ever-debated topic of homework, offering perspectives on assignments and what truly supports a child's learning journey. Additionally, liste...

Today I’m opening up about something that’s been weighing on me: the pressure to focus on academics at home. So many of us feel like we have to constantly teach our kids—whether it’s reading, letter sounds, or math—but I’ve learned that sometimes it’s okay to let that go, especially when it leads to resistance. I’ve personally felt how tough it can be when kids push back on learning at home. Inste...

In this episode, I sit down with one of my closest, long-time friends, a dedicated teacher with 23 years of experience across almost every grade level. Together, we dive into the importance of building strong connections early in the school year between parents and teachers. She shares her unique insights, not just as an educator, but also as a parent to two elementary-aged children. From an open...

In this episode, you’ll meet Amanda, a Chaos to Connection program client. She shares her powerful journey through the program, offering an honest look at the challenges of parenting a highly sensitive child. She opens up about her experience with her oldest child, who often struggled with big emotions that led to hitting and meltdowns. But it wasn’t just her child who needed support—Amanda also r...

Mornings with sensitive kids can be tough, especially when the clock is ticking, and everyone needs to be out the door. In this episode, we’re tackling a listener’s question about handling those challenging school mornings. With 5 practical tips, plus a bonus strategy, you’ll find ways to be present with your child, allowing them to express their big feelings while still getting them ready on time...

Today I'm diving into a personal story that I think many of you will relate to. Earlier this week, we explored how to support school refusal, and now I’m sharing how I put those strategies into action with my oldest child during his tough transition from second to third grade. As a sensitive child who needs time to adjust to changes, the jump from one grade to the next felt overwhelming for him. I...

This week, we’re diving into one of the biggest back-to-school challenges for sensitive kids: those tough mornings when they just refuse to go. After you catch last week’s episode on preparing your child for the school year, join us here as we dive into the emotional and sensory overload that makes school such a challenge for our sensitive kids. From absorbing stress from others to handling the ch...

In this special Parenting Reflections episode, I’m sharing something close to my heart – 10 truths I’ve discovered in my first decade of motherhood. As my oldest just turned 10, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned along the way, from the importance of making real, meaningful connections with our kids to embracing the hard parts of parenting. These truths have shaped who I am today, te...

Kicking off a special series on the back-to-school transition for sensitive kids, this episode dives into 5 practical tips to make the shift from summer to school smoother. From preparing emotionally to setting routines, these strategies will help set your child up for success as the school year begins. Back-to-school season can be tough on sensitive kids, with worries and anxieties making the tra...

In this special Parenting Reflections episode, we’re shaking things up with a surprise guest – my husband! After the excitement of the 100th episode, we’re diving into an honest and candid conversation about the realities of parenting together, especially when it comes to raising highly sensitive kids. We explore the challenges and decisions we’ve faced as parents, how we’ve navigated the mental l...

Raised Resilient family – we’ve made it to 100 episodes! This milestone is all about celebrating our journey together, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. In this special episode, we’re diving into the top 5 most downloaded episodes – and let me tell you, they’re also some of my personal favorites. From tackling aggressive behaviors to validating big emotions, these episodes have...

We've all been there... just when you thought you had things under control and couldn't be surprised again, your highly sensitive child throws challenging behaviors at you seemingly out of nowhere. In this episode, I’ll dive into how to stay present in the moment, stay curious about their behavior, and avoid power struggles, especially when these behaviors pop up unexpectedly. Over the weekend, fr...

Are meltdowns common when screen time ends for your highly sensitive child? You're not alone. This week we are diving into part two of our series on Sensitive Kids and Screens, focusing on why these meltdowns happen and how to manage them effectively. Here’s the thing: screens can cut off emotions, which is why sensitive kids might gravitate towards them to avoid uncomfortable feelings. But when s...