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 preparation beforehand to what actually helps when emotions start running high. You’ll hear practical,...
Dec 17, 2025•23 min•Ep. 211
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 strategies will help you protect your energy, stay present, and actually enjoy the season you’re working...
Dec 10, 2025•32 min•Ep. 210
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 through the holiday whirlwind by tuning into their cues, planning ahead, and knowing when it’s time t...
Dec 05, 2025•28 min•Ep. 209
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 positive, why it can come across as entitlement, and how emotional overload plays a much bigger role than...
Nov 26, 2025•21 min•Ep. 208
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 those emotions grow. In this episode, I’m breaking down what actually helps: the steady, low-pressur...
Nov 19, 2025•21 min•Ep. 207
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 best efforts to stay calm, be logical, or “just get through it” don’t always work. I’ll share 3 key rea...
Nov 12, 2025•21 min•Ep. 206
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 trying to fix or prevent instead of pausing and seeing what’s actually going on underneath the react...
Oct 24, 2025•17 min•Ep. 205
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 emotional growth, and once you understand it, everything about those tricky moments starts to make more sen...
Oct 15, 2025•16 min•Ep. 204
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 not only to find more peace at home but also to blend a new family. Through the program, Lesley lea...
Oct 10, 2025•28 min•Ep. 203
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 convincing or calm we think we’re being. In this episode, we’ll dig into why logic doesn’t work when emotion...
Oct 01, 2025•15 min•Ep. 202
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, all of that groundwork quietly guided what happened next. Sometimes, our job isn’t to guide every ...
Sep 26, 2025•14 min•Ep. 201
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 about something much more powerful that can change the way we show up for our kids (and ourselves) whe...
Sep 17, 2025•21 min•Ep. 200
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, noticing the differences in parenting styles between her and her husband, and wrestling with the fe...
Sep 12, 2025•32 min•Ep. 199
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 going on underneath those big emotions and talk about what growth actually looks like for sensitive ki...
Sep 03, 2025•20 min•Ep. 198
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 big changes. But here’s the thing: he didn’t always transition so effortlessly. I’ll bring you back t...
Aug 29, 2025•22 min•Ep. 197
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 such a big deal for sensitive kids, what’s really happening beneath the surface, and how you can see t...
Aug 20, 2025•20 min•Ep. 196
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 if they need extra support, like an IEP or 504 plan. If school has ever felt like a daily struggle—o...
Aug 13, 2025•30 min•Ep. 195
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 ADHD as both a teacher and a parent, and what educators really wish parents knew. If you’re raising...
Aug 06, 2025•37 min•Ep. 194
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 with Rachael Shepherd-Ohta, certified sleep specialist and the voice behind Hey, Sleepy Baby, about fin...
Jul 30, 2025•31 min•Ep. 193
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 eaters and reduce the pressure around meals. Bekah shares her experience as an eating disorder survivor ...
Jul 23, 2025•32 min•Ep. 192
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 gentle, respectful approaches while the other pushes for punishments or control—you’re not alone. In ...
Jul 16, 2025•34 min•Ep. 191
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, support emotional regulation, and give you that much-needed reset during long parenting days. And when kid...
Jul 09, 2025•40 min•Ep. 190
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 trying to “fix” your child’s feelings. We’ll talk about why society teaches us to suppress emotions...
Apr 16, 2025•14 min•Ep. 189
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 quiet, I was able to support my son in the way he needed most. You’ll walk away with simple, practical ...
Apr 11, 2025•17 min•Ep. 188
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 listener’s powerful question, we’ll talk about what to say when a loved one cuts off communication, b...
Apr 09, 2025•21 min•Ep. 187
Some parenting moments feel impossible—and in this episode, I’m sharing one of the hardest I’ve had in a long time. It was a perfect storm of exhaustion, overwhelm, and a tough transition for my oldest, who’s struggling with the shift to middle school. When a big emotional explosion hit right at dinnertime, I didn’t handle it perfectly—but what happened next changed everything. I’m pulling back the curtain on what I did wrong, what I did right, and how I turned a moment of chaos into connection....
Apr 04, 2025•17 min•Ep. 186
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is one of those labels that can feel heavy and confusing—especially if you’re parenting a highly sensitive child who seems to check all the boxes. But what if the real issue isn’t defiance at all? In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really going on with kids who show ODD symptoms and why so many sensitive kids fit this description. Today I’m getting honest about why I don’t believe in ODD as a diagnosis—and hear why I think it does more harm than good....
Apr 02, 2025•19 min•Ep. 185
Kate was at her breaking point. As a single parent navigating co-parenting while carrying most of the parenting load, she felt completely overwhelmed—especially when her highly sensitive daughter was having 90-minute meltdowns every single day. Daycare pickup was a battle, and nothing she tried seemed to help. She knew something had to change, but she had no idea where to start. In this episode, Kate gets real about her journey from daily exhaustion to finally feeling calm and confident in paren...
Mar 28, 2025•20 min•Ep. 184
You try so hard to stay calm, but somehow, the yelling keeps happening. You regret it, swear it won’t happen again—yet the next day, there it is. Sound familiar? The truth is, the real reason you’re yelling isn’t what you think. In this episode, we’re getting to the root of those big reactions. I’m breaking down the hidden “traps” that keep parents stuck in the yelling cycle, why traditional advice falls short, and the key shift that actually makes a difference. It’s not about trying harder—it’s...
Mar 26, 2025•13 min•Ep. 183
We all mess up as parents—it’s inevitable. No matter how much we read, learn, or try our best, perfect parenting doesn’t exist (trust me, I’ve checked!). But here’s the good news: there’s one simple yet powerful thing we can do that truly changes everything, no matter how big or small the mistake. In this episode, we’re talking about the most important tool you have for repairing those tough moments with your child. Because what happens after we lose our cool matters even more than the moment it...
Mar 21, 2025•16 min•Ep. 182
