As a parent of a highly sensitive child, you're already blazing your own trail.

You've rejected the old, harsh discipline methods that you grew up with. 

Instead, you're committed to raising an emotionally resilient child using positive parenting strategies.

But when Grandma and Grandpa see you comforting your child through a meltdown instead of sending them to their room, the disapproving looks and unsolicited advice can make you second guess yourself.

How do you stay firm in your nontraditional parenting style when facing criticism from the older generation?

Here are 3 key principles to keep in mind:

Lead with your "why"

Explain to your parents or in-laws the research and reasons behind your gentle parenting approach. Help them see that you're not being "soft", but rather intentional in raising an emotionally healthy child.

Find common ground in shared values

Emphasize that you share the same end goal: raising...

If you’ve got a sensitive, “strong-willed” child who seems to have a meltdown over everything, you might be wondering:

"Is gentle parenting even possible for us?"

You’ve tried being calm, patient, and understanding, but your child still pushes back—hard. 

The endless tears, the screaming, the arguments... it’s exhausting. 

And when gentle parenting doesn’t seem to work, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing.

But here’s the thing most people don’t understand:

Gentle parenting isn’t just for “gentle kids.” 

At the core, it’s for all kids—but the sensitive child needs more structure than just “show compassion and patience.”

The problem? 

Sensitive kids don’t respond to the same cookie-cutter advice you’ve probably heard a thousand times. 

And when their meltdowns spiral out...

the next meltdown, the next power struggle just to get out the door.

Imagine having the tools to defuse the emotional bombs before they go off, to communicate in a way your child can actually hear and respond to, to create a home that feels loving and calm instead of chaotic and overwhelming.

Imagine your sensitive child being able to express their big feelings without the screaming, the tears, the all-consuming outbursts. 

Imagine them building resilience, finding their voice, learning to thrive.

I know it might feel impossible right now. 

You're exhausted, overwhelmed, maybe even hopeless after trying everything and seeing no change. 

The parenting books gathering dust on your shelves, the sticker charts and time-outs and "calm down corners" that only seem to make things worse...

The daily meltdowns are stealing your peace, your presence, your joy. 

You love your child more than anything, but their...

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes a flurry of festive parties and family gatherings.

For highly sensitive children, this time of year can be especially challenging. Their vivid imaginations conjure up visions of the perfect celebration, complete with harmonious relatives, dream gifts, and picture-perfect moments.

But when reality falls short of these elaborate expectations (as it often does), sensitive kids can find themselves drowning in disappointment and frustration.

If your child has ever had a meltdown at a holiday party because the gift wasn't quite right or the cousins weren't acting according to plan, you're not alone.

Highly sensitive children feel deeply and imagine thoroughly. They notice every detail and nuance, which can be both a blessing and a curse when navigating the unpredictability of holiday gatherings.

So, what can you do to help your sensitive child cope when their big dreams collide with less-than-perfect...

If you're the parent of a highly sensitive child, you've probably tried everything to help them manage their meltdowns.

Breathing exercises, counting to ten, talking it out afterwards... but nothing seems to stick.

It's an endless cycle of reactivity, and it's exhausting for everyone involved.

But here's the thing: it's not your fault, and it's not your child's fault either.

The real problem is that most therapists and parenting strategies focus on reactive care. They wait for a meltdown to happen, then try to slap a band-aid skill on it and hope for the best.

But that's like trying to build a house without a foundation. It might look okay for a minute, but it won't stand up to the first big storm.

Your child needs a systematic approach to emotional regulation. They need to understand not just WHAT skills to use, but HOW and WHEN to use them.

This isn't something that can be taught in the heat of the moment. It's a process of building emotional awareness and resilience over time.

...

As a parent of a highly sensitive child, it's easy to feel helpless in the face of daily meltdowns and challenging behaviors.

You may wonder, "Is this just who my child is? Am I stuck dealing with this chaos forever?"

I want to offer you a resounding NO. You are not powerless. In fact, you have far more influence over your child's behavior than you may realize.

This week on the podcast, I'm diving deep into the research on family dynamics and the incredible capacity parents have to shape their child's emotional development.

Here's a sneak peek of what you'll discover:

The #1 factor that predicts a child's ability to regulate emotions (hint: it has everything to do with you!)

How small changes in your parenting approach can yield big results in your child's behavior

The common myth about sensitive children that keeps parents stuck in reactive cycles

Proven strategies to help your child solve their own problems and build resilience

You'll walk...

When you have a highly sensitive child, it can feel like you're constantly putting out fires.

The daily meltdowns, the refusal to get dressed for school, the extreme reactions to seemingly small things...

It's exhausting. And often, in the chaos, it's easy to overlook one surprising trigger - visual clutter.

You see, for sensitive children, excess visual stimuli can feel as overwhelming as a room full of people shouting.

Their brains process information deeply, noticing every detail in the environment.

So while a pile of unsorted mail on the kitchen counter may barely register for you, for your sensitive child, it can be a loud, constant distraction that frays their nerves.

This doesn't mean you need to become a die-hard minimalist overnight.

But it does mean that reducing visual clutter is one small change that can make a big impact in lowering your child's stress levels.

Watch this week’s podcast to learn more about what to do about it.

Here are a few simple ways to get...

Recently, I had a frustrating experience that really drove home for me the importance of integrity and human connection in both business and parenting.

I had purchased a text watch for my highly sensitive child from a well-known company. 

When I reached out with a question via email, I quickly realized I was communicating with a human who was using AI to simplify their responses.

The AI responses were contradictory and even chastising in tone as I tried to get a straight answer. 

I felt belittled and unheard, all while trying to advocate for my child's needs.

It took me back to a decision I made years ago, when a former mentor suggested I cut labor costs by replacing my master's level team with cheaper, less qualified staff.

I refused because I knew that the heart of my work was building trust with parents of highly sensitive kids. 

And that trust can only come through genuine human connection and deep expertise– and this is something we need to keep in mind as...

Ever wonder if you’re a Highly Sensitive Person?

After coaching thousands of parents, many of whom discover they are Highly Sensitive after joining our signature parent coaching program, I dive deep on this topic on this week’s podcast.

This is one you do not want to miss!

Click here to learn more about Resilience Empowerment Institute: https://www.megghanthompsoncoaching.com/rei

Imagine this...

It's the day after the fall festivities. Your sensitive child's treat bag is overflowing with candy.

They've already had several meltdowns begging for "just one more piece". You've said no multiple times, but the badgering won't stop.

You're at your wits end, ready to just lock up the candy stash and be done with it.

But you wonder, is that really the best approach? Will restrictions just make candy even more enticing and lead to sneaking treats later?

I get it. Food battles with a highly sensitive child can feel like an impossible situation.

Traditional approaches like the "one treat a day" rule or hiding the candy often backfire into more obsession, not less.

So what's a weary parent to do?

Here are 3 key principles to keep in mind:

Restriction Leads to Fixation

The more you restrict access to a desired food, the more your child will fixate on it. It becomes like a forbidden fruit. Instead, try to...