You know that feeling when you're trying to get a good night's sleep, but there's a tiny feather in your bed which keeps poking you?   It's irritating, isn't it?   You most likely toss and turn, adjust and re-adjust, until you finally find a comfortable position.   You might be wondering, what does a pesky feather have to do with parenting a highly sensitive or neurodivergent child?   Well, think of the world as that bed, and your child as the person trying to sleep in it.   Just as the feather is barely noticeable to a regular sleeper, everyday stimuli can be overwhel ..read more

Hey there,   I was recently interviewed by Miriam Fernández, Co-founderb& Co-director Nirakara Mindfulness Institute, located in Spain.    I had a lot of fun exploring The Science of Highly Sensitive Children ("La ciencia de los niños altamente sensibles").   We shed light on the history behind the study of sensitivity and provide valuable insights on how to support and nurture these extraordinary children.   Please note that while the interview is spoken in English, the video has been transcribed in Spanish, ensuring that language will not be a barrier to acc ..read more

Let's be honest for a moment, shall we? As a parent, you dream of your child’s success, their happiness, and a future filled with endless possibilities. Yet, if your kid is struggling with test anxiety, I bet you wonder how long it will take to get your kid to stop putting so much pressure on themselves. The knot in your stomach as you watch your child crumble under the weight of their worries,  their confidence shattered,  their potential obscured by the dark clouds of doubt doesn’t help, does it? It's a heart-wrenching scene that plays out time and time again, test after test, melt ..read more

Have you ever stopped to consider why time-outs might be ineffective?   I get that your kid’s pediatrician, therapist or school counselor probably recommended this tactic, or maybe you remember it “working” for you as a kid…    But let’s face it– time-outs just don’t work for your sensitive kid.    Why?   Because it is an outdated practice that is simply not based in brain science AT ALL.   With all the noise out there on parenting, I totally get that you may have felt like you can rely on a basic old school tactic that wasn’t as harmful as spanking..  ..read more

If your kid is regularly pouting or freaking out during sports, and you find yourself wondering if it’s worth it, read on. Do you feel like you're walking on eggshells, never knowing what will trigger the next emotional outburst, embarrassed that this is now happening in public? You're not alone. Many parents of highly sensitive children struggle with the same challenges.   You might wonder if just changing the objective, expecting your child to do better at an individual sport like gymnastics or track will decrease the comparison. But here's the truth: switching from soccer to an individ ..read more

You love your sensitive child with all your heart.    But the daily tidal wave of tears, tantrums, and meltdowns leaves you feeling drained and defeated.    No matter how patiently you respond, your child shuts down at the smallest frustration.    You want to help them thrive, but don't know where to start.   This is not for lack of trying that you’re locked in a daily battle of wills with a child who seems wired to overreact.    The judgmental glares, the well-meaning but useless advice from others, the isolation you feel - it cuts deep.  &nbs ..read more

Wondering what’s normal for sensitive kids?   When your child faces frequent outbursts and emotional turmoil, they are grappling with overwhelming emotions beyond their control.    They feel disoriented, confused, and burdened by these INTENSE FEELINGS.    And when they lack effective strategies to process and express their emotions, they explode.   And guess what?    This is not a phase they will outgrow.    As your HSC grows older, these meltdowns and outbursts can escalate into significant risky behaviors:   Engaging in aggressive beha ..read more

Ever wonder whether this temperament trait can be proven in research?   I get it, you want an answer about why your child is struggling significantly, WITHOUT labeling them unduly…    AND make sure you’re covering all of your bases and not missing a serious biological cause for your child’s distress.   In your research you may have come across the traditional belief or advice that treats your child’s intense meltdowns as diagnosable anxiety, or a developmental delay, or some other pop psychology fad trend.    And yet, you know you (and your spouse/co-parent) arent ..read more

As an expert in parenting sensitive children stuck in the meltdown cycle, I know your daily struggles are overwhelming.    You want the best for your kids, yet traditional disciplining often backfires, worsening behaviors and hardening family dynamics… so you’ve obviously done away with that…   …until you hit your limit.    Please don't lose hope - there is a better way.   You can use gentle parenting philosophy with a sensitive child who is stuck in the meltdown cycle and passionate, driven, and fiery.    But you need to add structure.   You know r ..read more

Are your sensitive child's school days filled with distress and challenges?   Considering homeschooling as the only way to solve this problem?   You undoubtedly want your child’s education to cultivate potential, not erode self-esteem, yet…   Seeing them drowning in overwhelm at home understandably sparks your protective instincts to advocate for drastic change.   This creates a sense of overwhelm for yourself, and yet you and I both know that’s not who you truly are.   You are your child’s advocate.   So, before you pull your kiddo out of school…focus on building ..read more