Sensational Moms: Support For Overstimulated Moms

Do you feel guilty or alone because other moms love summer break or eagerly anticipate a new school year... but not you? As a mom of 4 who's easily overstimulated, this episode is what I wish someone had told me 6 years ago. Join me for the last episode of the season, where we dive into: Why summer break & back to school can feel extra heavy and hard What back to school dread and summer s...

If you’re a highly sensitive, easily overstimulated mom who feels touched out, on edge, and exhausted by the constant noise and mess—this doesn’t have to be your everyday reality. We can’t lock ourselves in a quiet room every time things feel like too much. And snapping at our kids or constantly trying to get away from them isn’t how we imagined motherhood would feel. In this episode, I share 6 co...

Things that seem easy with other kids can feel harder with highly sensitive kids, and it can make us really question ourselves as moms. The good news? If we lean into the hard, it actually helps us show up as a better mom for all our kids. The bad news? It is... hard. In this episode, I share 5 ways to support highly sensitive kids.  Shifts in: rhythym  physical environment  prioritizing basic nee...

When people talk about "sharing your calm with your kid," does it trigger mom guilt because of all the times you remember messing up or overreacting? Parenting a highly sensitive kid can really push you to your limits as a mom. Sharing your nervous sytem when you already feel depleted can feel impossible. In today's episode, we discuss: a framework for how to spot your kid's ov...

Does your child fall apart over a sock seam? Have big meltdowns after things that seem little to you & everyone else? Feel everything — deeply, intensely, loudly — and you can’t quite figure out why? You might have a highly sensitive kid. In this episode, we break down exactly what that means, what it doesn’t mean, and why understanding it could change everything about your homeschool day. May...

Last week we talked about why spring throws off your homeschool and your nervous system. This week we're getting practical — but not in a "here's-your-spring-schedule" kind of way. In this episode I'm sharing what shifting your spring rhythm actually looks like in my home, and some questions to help you figure out what it looks like in yours.  In this episode: One question...

For the highly sensitive homeschool mom who hits a wall in spring... you might be surprised because winter is over! Life should feel easy now, right? In this episode I'm breaking down why spring can feel harder before it feels better, what's actually happening in your nervous system and your kids' when the season shifts, and why pushing through your winter routine into spring usuall...

If the time change has kind of wrecked your week before it's even started — tired kids, shorter fuse, and a homeschool day that felt impossible — your nervous system is telling you something important. In this episode I'm breaking down what daylight saving time actually does to your body and your kids', why homeschool moms feel it harder than most, and what you can do this week to s...

If you're a homeschool mom drowning in mom guilt — snapping at your kids, feeling touched out and overstimulated, then hating yourself for it — this episode is for you.  I'm Whitney, a pediatric OT turned nervous system regulation coach for moms. And today I'm getting real about something I've lived through myself: those seasons where mom guilt isn't just a one-off feeling...

Are you an overwhelmed homeschool mom who feels overstimulated by noon? Many homeschool moms experience a daily midday slump — a mix of mental load, sensory overload, emotional exhaustion, and physical fatigue that can quietly lead to homeschool burnout. If you’re feeling touched out, reactive, or drained before lunchtime, it’s not a character flaw. It’s your nervous system asking for support. In...

Winter can feel especially hard for overstimulated moms — but that doesn’t mean you're lazy or there's something wrong. In this episode, I share sensory-based ways to support your body and nervous system during winter without pushing through or forcing productivity. From a sensory and nervous system perspective, winter brings:  less light  more time indoors  disrupted routines ...and inc...

There’s a lot of pressure right now telling moms they need a nervous system reset — especially if you’re feeling overstimulated, exhausted, or emotionally maxed out.  But what if your nervous system isn’t broken at all? In this episode, I’m gently unpacking why nervous system resets don’t always work , where this message comes from, and why so many overstimulated moms feel worse after trying to “f...

In the last episode of 2025, we’re going back to the basics of nervous system regulation — especially for moms who feel constantly overwhelmed, overstimulated, or stuck in survival mode. My guest is occupational therapist and nervous system coach Alex Viera , a mom of three who uses tough love, realistic tools, and functional routines to help moms get out of chronic stress and back into connection...

This season has been a lot — for me and for so many highly sensitive, easily overstimulated moms. In this episode, I’m sharing what this busy fall has looked like inside my home, why I’ve been quieter than usual, and the shift that's helping me exhale. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, overstimulated by life, or already dreading the holiday season, then grab a warm drink & le...

If you’ve ever felt like your ADHD brain makes mom life & homeschooling harder, this episode is for you. I was thrilled to chat with Emily Bailey , a mom who’s learning to let go of “shoulds” and find peace in rhythms & strategies that actually fit her neurodivergent brain.  Together, we talk about what it looks like to homeschool when you’re overstimulated and stretched thin... Oh! And no...

If you’re an overstimulated mom who’s tired of being told to “just stay calm..." me too! We’re unpacking the Calm Mom Myth — the unrealistic pressure for moms to always be gentle, composed, and regulated, even when overwhelm & sensory overload are hitting hard. You’ll learn why “calm” isn’t always functional for an overstimulated or sensory-sensitive mom , how your nervous system naturall...

In this episode we’re getting personal with guest Amy Bodkin , an Autistic Adult who homeschools her 2 Autistic children. Amy is a passionate consultant and public speaker serving families worldwide with needs that fall outside the norm She joins me for an honest and heartfelt conversation about what it’s like to navigate motherhood, homeschooling, and autism— all at once! We talk about:  ✨ The j...

You thought the sensory overload would ease up once the baby and toddler years passed… but here you are, still feeling touched out, talked out, and overwhelmed.  In this episode, I unpack why motherhood doesn’t get less overstimulating with big kids — and what you can do about it.  Join me for this personal conversation and: pinpoint why you might feel that way (you're not crazy!) feel equipp...

I invite you to join me in this personal conversation with Teresa Wiedrick, a certified life coach. We get personal fast and dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of being a highly sensitive mom.  Teresa and I also discuss transformative moments in the shift from my kids' difficulties being the problem to realizing we are all on our own growth journey... and how our's as mom deeply...

Stress is inevitable in the life of a mom, but if you struggle with sensory overload and overwhelm... it's even more important that you address it before it compounds. In this episode, Whitney explores common reasons WHY moms have a hard time getting around to stress management & how to work around them. What is the stress cycle? How does stress relate to sensory overload? 7 simple ways t...

What does sound sensitivity and auditory processing disorder look like in real life for a family? Possibly melt-downs, hurting relationships, walking on eggshells, avoiding fun outings, attention struggles, social skill struggles, sleep difficulties, reading issues... the list goes on. Wait! Before you say "My kid hears just fine" or "My hearing is ok..." This is often an unide...

Back to school means shifting routines & expectations, which can be really hard for some kids (and adults too!)... even homeschoolers.  A lot of the back to school excitement can be well-intended and is certainly happy for some... but for others of us, it's full of stress, emotions, & anticipation of tricky situations, like increased meltdowns and maybe refusals.  In this episode, we...

Did you know sensory stress doesn't have its own special "stress bucket" in the brain? Stress=stress... The good news is that simplifying other things helps improve your resilience with overstimulation too! In this episode, we break down some tried and true ways to simlify life as we head "back to school," regardless of how you educate your kids. home maintenance meals car...

Let's normalize talking about our self-regulation & our senses! But it can feel awkward... so what better way than through a beautiful, engaging picture book? Join Sarah and me, Whitney, as we discuss her new book A Chameleon Tale: how it came about how it's already impacting families sensory processing (especially vestibular and proprioceptive input!) Learn more here . self-regulati...

In this episode of the Sensational Moms podcast, we explore ways that moms who easily feel overwhelmed can make the most of their summer. Join me as I share personal experiences and offer practical advice on:  establishing routines  incorporating movement  prioritizing rest pacing to-do lists fostering meaningful connections (co-regulation!)  If you're easily overstimulated and summer strikes...