As parents, our number one priority is to make sure our kids feel safe at all times.

But when you’re parenting an HSC, that’s easier said than done.

Especially when you’re stuck in the meltdown cycle.

Because let’s face it, your primal instinct is to get them out of this spot ASAP.

We don’t want to see our kiddo hurting, and struggling to express their emotions.

And we definitely don’t want them to feel unsafe.

And so more often than not, we become their safe space.

Now, a ‘safe space’ can mean a lot of different things for different HSCs.

For some, that means having plenty of human contact, to help them feel supported and loved.

Others may be more sensitive to physical touch, and so for them, a safe space is more about simply having you near.

In most cases, if you can provide whatever safe space is needed FOR THEM, that particular meltdown will end sooner.

But there’s a problem …

Because while this strategy might be...

If your kiddo is like most at this time of year, the last thing they’ll want is to be outside.

Chances are, they’ll have their head buried deep in a phone …

Wasting hours on some games console …

Or just staring blankly at the TV for hours.

And while they might seem perfectly content doing this, so much time spent indoors -- particularly time in front of screens -- is one of the worst things for their mood.

I know, for most of us, January is dark and miserable.

The buzz of the holidays feels long gone.

And you’re probably not motivated to get outside much yourself.

Especially if it’s wet, windy and cold.

But spending time in the fresh air and nature can genuinely do wonders for your kiddo’s mental health.

Not to mention yours, too!

Our clients at MTC know this.

We speak with so many parents at this time of year who say they expected their HSCs to calm down a little after the holidays, and get back into their routine …

Only to find...

Suicide isn’t a comfortable topic to talk about.

Especially when talking about suicide in kids and teens.

But it’s something I feel I need to cover.

Because shockingly, a recent CDC report showed that suicide rates have increased 195% since 1990.

And that’s not all.

In youths aged 5-19, self-harm has also risen by a staggering 411%.

And in children aged 5-12, suicide is now the 5th leading cause of death.

I know hearing this might make you uncomfortable.

And it should.

It certainly does me.

But we can’t just brush this issue under the carpet.

After all, resistance to speaking about suicide and self-harm in children and teens is likely one of the reasons these rates have continued to climb.

And sure, there are other factors involved as well …

But a reluctance to talk won’t have helped.

Self-harm and suicide risks are very real.

In fact, barely a week goes by when my team and I don’t speak to a parent who’s already found evidence...

Whenever I speak to parents in January, they tell me one thing -

“I feel like I need another break already.

That vacation was hardly worth it.”

Which is sad.

Because we all want to enjoy our downtime, appreciate our family over the holidays, and go into the New Year feeling upbeat and optimistic.

But as a parent of an HSC, that’s often the last thing you feel.

Because despite best intentions, the holiday season was stressful.

Maybe your kid acted out more than usual …

You had to leave family parties early as they got so stressed …

Or the change in routine completely threw them off, and it was “meltdown o’clock” every single day!

Whatever it was, as cliche as it is to say …

New Year is a GREAT time to set new goals and make a commitment to calming the chaos and eliminating the meltdowns.

Trouble is, you feel like you’re facing this huge uphill battle.

All those routines you worked so hard to put in place in the fall after...

Are you tired of feeling frustrated and helpless when it comes to your child's aggressive behavior? 

Do you feel like you've tried everything from traditional parenting techniques to yelling and rewards, but nothing seems to work?

Here at MTC we understand how difficult and stressful it can be to deal with a child who is exhibiting aggressive behavior. 

It can take a toll on your relationship with your child and with your partner, causing arguments and tension. 

But there is hope.

Just look at what happened with Jamie and John and their 7-year-old HSC. 

They had tried everything they could think of (sticker charts, rewards, yelling, counting to 3…), but nothing seemed to work. 

They were struggling to manage his aggressive behavior and meltdowns, and they found themselves constantly arguing with each other about how to handle the situation. 

It was especially difficult for them because their HSC’s twin sister was managing her emotions much...

Here at MTC we understand that parenting can be one of the most rewarding, yet challenging experiences in life. 

When your child is struggling with mental health issues, it can be especially difficult and overwhelming. 

If you're reading this, you may be in a situation similar to what Rachel and Ash experienced with their HSC.

Their kiddo was suicidal, wishing to die, yelling, freezing up, and refusing to go to school. 

Rachel & Ash went to countless therapists and tried many approaches, but nothing seemed to work. 

They were at their wits end and didn't know what to do. 

They were worried about their child’s safety and well-being, and they were also struggling to manage the rest of their family and their own stress and emotions.

But there is hope, Rachel and Ash found our program.

After working with us and implementing our strategies of playful parenting, systematic shame-free feedback, and prioritizing calm in the routine, they were able to...

Any parent of an HSC knows, the holiday season can be a NIGHTMARE.

Whether it’s overstimulation at family parties …

Disappointment surrounding gifts …

Or just the change from day-to-day routine …

There’s so much happening that can trigger a meltdown.

So it’s totally understandable why a lot of the parents I speak to dread this time of year.

While other parents are putting up the tree, buying gifts and enjoying their kids’ excitement …

HSC parents are preparing for a month of ups, downs and never-ending stress.

So what can we do about this?

I mean, you want to enjoy the holidays, right? Not just survive them.

Well, the important thing to remember is, your HSC has a big heart.

So whatever stress you’re feeling about catching up with family you’ve not seen for a year, or being in different environments …

You can triple that, and you’re probably only halfway to what your HSC is feeling.

But here’s what I...

I just got off a heartbreaking call.

I was speaking with a family who were ready to ship their 10-year old daughter off to her Aunt’s house … Permanently!

This Mom and Dad were at their wits end.

Because they couldn’t imagine 8 more years of parenting stress.

Especially when their daughter was such an angel outside the house.

But at home?

They were being torn apart.

Sadly, I’ve heard things like this many times before.

And if I’m honest, I don’t think these parents would have abandoned their daughter like that.

But unfortunately, when you get to this level, it also tells me something else -

They’d emotionally checked out of parenting.

They’d all but given up on having a relationship with their child.

And when you’re in this spot?

It’s like death by 1,000 tiny cuts.

Because every day breeds more resentment … More frustration … And more guilt.

And knowing you’ve given up on your child eats you alive.

This...

This week we are sharing an interview that has been impactful for many of our audience.

If it feels like your HSC is down in the dumps more than the average kid,

You’ll want to hear this.

You are not alone.

Our client Savannah knows exactly how that feels, and that feeling was HARD to work through.

Savannah’s story is common for parents who are stuck in the meltdown cycle.

She wanted to be a mom for such a long time,

And the fact that her child seemed melancholy SO often was disheartening.

She describes her HSC as feeling upset and on edge constantly,
Crying often,
And even stated that there was a lack of connection.

She felt like no matter how much she and Alan tried,
They could not meet their HSC’s needs.

She also felt like she could not help her child in the midst of a meltdown.

And that was really discouraging.

In Savannah’s words, “I felt helpless. I was failing myself and my daughter.”

On top of this, she was dealing with her own guilt of...

As a society, we love to put labels on things.

Whether it’s labeling people as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ …

Labeling foods as ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’ …

Or putting labels on kids who don’t conform exactly to what’s expected of them.

This comes up a lot in my private practice.

Parents either come in because their kiddo has been displaying HSC-like behavior, and they think they need a diagnosis …

Or they’ve already been to another specialist, who’s diagnosed their kid with a medical condition.

(The one I hear most is ODD -- Oppositional Defiant Disorder -- which basically says your child is difficult, hostile and ‘broken.’

You can imagine just how riled up labeling a kid like that makes me!

But we’ll leave that story for another day.)

Anyway, I can understand why getting a diagnosis might give parents some comfort.

After all, if you went to the doctor with unexplained stomach...