There have been a number of questions from parents about whether therapy can help a HSC. Michael Vallejo, a licensed clinical social worker with a private therapy practice, answers those questions in today’s guest post. Over to Michael…… You may be considering whether therapy is an appropriate next step for your HSC. Therapy can provide guidance and tools to help your child cope better with their sensitive traits, especially if they’re having a hard time. In this post, we will discuss what a HSC is and how therapy can benefit them. Understanding Highly Sensitive Children (HSC) A highly sensiti ..read more

In a world that often celebrates toughness and resilience, the journey of raising a HSC can sometimes feel like navigating uncharted waters. Yet, sensitivity is not a flaw to be fixed or overcome. Rather a set of beautiful traits to be understood and nurtured. It is with great excitement that I announce the release of my new book, “How to Raise a Happy Sensitive Child: How to Raise Children who Flourish Because of Their Highly Sensitive Traits, Not in Spite of”. The Nitty Gritty of ‘How to Raise a Happy Sensitive Child’ My new book is a compilation of posts from this blog, updated and structur ..read more

We all know that prevention is better than cure, so reducing the chance of your HSC experiencing overwhelm is a good goal to strive for. Adding these four strategies to your parenting toolbox will help you achieve this goal. 1. Establish Routine and Structure A predictable schedule provides structure and stability for a HSC. Create a routine that includes consistent sleep, eating, and play times. Schedule in downtime to the calendar – yes, actually write it down as if it is an appointment. The predictability of routine and structure helps minimise surprises and provides a sense of security, re ..read more

Halloween can be an exciting and fun holiday for many children, but for highly sensitive children, it can present some challenges. Highly sensitive children often have heightened emotional and sensory experiences, and Halloween can be overwhelming due to its spooky decorations, costumes, and potentially frightening experiences. Here are 10 ways to help make Halloween enjoyable for highly sensitive children. 1. Prepare in Advance Talk to your child about Halloween well in advance. Explain the holiday, describe what your child can expect, and how it can be fun. Show them pictures of costumes and ..read more

If you scout around this website, you will find a whole range of recommendations for books for highly sensitive people, children or their parents. This post is a collection of some of those books, and more that are currently available at a reduced price as an Amazon Prime Early Deal. Great for getting ahead as the gifting season approaches, or for yourself. The Must-Have Book for Highly Sensitive People Think of Elaine Aron‘s ‘The Highly Sensitive Person’ as a bible for anyone who is highly sensitive. It’s a no nonsense guide to understanding yourself if you are highly sensitive. Similarly, he ..read more

Starting school is an exciting and nerve-wracking experience for any child. However, for highly sensitive children, the transition to school can be especially challenging. For highly sensitive children the school environment is potentially overwhelming, as our children have a unique way of perceiving and processing the world around them. It’s no wonder then that so many parents of highly sensitive children find themselves struggling with school issues at one time or another. Here are some practical tips to help your highly sensitive child as they start their school journey. Tips for a Smooth S ..read more

Summer break means that highly sensitive children may require extra care and attention when it comes to relaxation. This is largely because their normal routines are disrupted. Here are 7 sure fire ways to help highly sensitive children relax and enjoy their summer break. 1. Routine Maintain as predictable a routine as you can: Highly sensitive children thrive on routines and structure. While summer break may mean a break from school, you can still try to maintain a consistent schedule for daily activities. Consider activities such as waking up, meals, and bedtime. Keep the basics in place. Kn ..read more

Today is World Mental Health day. Mental health issues are not always as visible as physical health issues. Talking about mental health problems doesn’t always feel comfortable. The aim of World Mental Health day is to raise awareness about our mental health and how we can provide support for mental health conditions. “Some of the greatest battles will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul.” Ezra Taft Benson Suicide Prevention Every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. According to the WHO, more than 800,000 people die by suicide a year, making it the principal ca ..read more

Highly sensitive people are creative people at their core. Often, along the way, we lose our creativite spark. But the good news is that we can always rekindle it, starting with a small action. Here are 5 awesome creative gifts that will help you or your loved one back on that path! 1. The Artist’s Way I cannot recommend The Artist’s Way enough if you are looking to get those creative juices flowing. It’s essentially a 12 week course designed to (re)ignite your creativity. This book is the reason we now have a piano in our home. Through writing morning pages and other assignments, I realised ..read more

For a highly sensitive person (HSP) to flourish we need to make choices that create balance in our lives. There are three steps to take in order to create a balanced life as a highly sensitive person. Goal as a HSP Our goal as HSPs is to learn what our highly sensitive traits actually are. And then determine how to live a balanced life with those traits. What is clear is that we need to learn to live with our traits. It’s like having a super power that you need to learn to control. It is important to realise that many of our HS traits are incredibly positive. And that being a HSP is not a weak ..read more