When you start wondering if your kid is playing you, it hits like a gut punch, doesn't it?

How did things escalate so far, so fast?

Isn't parenting meant to be smoother sailing than this?

If junior is blowing up before soccer practice yet again, or sis is having a fit before helping with dishes, and you feel a twister twirling your temper...

That nagging thought sneaks in.

"Are they dodging obligations?"

"Is she milking emotions to duck chores?"

She claims cleaning is Everest-level hard but we know it takes 20 minutes tops.

So why the hour-long gripefest before?

Join me to gain real perspective on what's underneath the surface drama.

Discover how to effectively redirect behaviors while cultivating healthy habits.

Understanding is power - let's level up your power to parent with compassion.

What we’ve seen with our clients, is the more they can encourage their children to find a solution for...

Man, it's like you finally get a system down pat with your HSC, thinking you've got their sensitivities all figured out.

Then without warning, some new thing comes along and completely wrecks your routine overnight!

Being an HSC parent is tough as nails - some days it can really feel like they're deliberately pushing all your buttons just to see your stress levels max out.

Been there, haven't you?

Take it from me, you are not alone in that feeling.

And you are most definitely not a bad parent.

As someone who's helped hundreds of families through the thick of daily meltdowns, here's what I know - kids at that age just aren't developmentally capable of manipulation.

Their little brains are laser focused on learning and growing, not scheming ways to drive you up the wall.

So if covert tactics aren't what's triggering the mood swings, then what in the world could be causing the sudden U-turns?

Like how your kiddo was over...

Friends, I was beyond furious after seeing a post from a parent who was guided by a so-called "therapist" who gave a young child such a damaging label.

The diagnosis they provided? Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

Just thinking of it triggers me because through my research and clinical experience, I've seen the heartbreak it causes.

For years, eager, confused, EXHAUSTED parents have come to me seeking understanding - why does little Timmy have meltdowns at sports practice?

Why won't Emily stay at a sleepover?

But too often, other providers slap these simplistic labels that annihilate the little hope they’re hanging onto.

In my professional opinion, that harms more than heals.

ODD reduces complex children to narrow behaviors rather than seeing their whole selves.

C'mon - we all know actions signify deeper emotions.

So how does categorizing help when it ignores Truth?

A label like this obliterates...

I feel you, coming back after the holidays can be straight up rough.

Stomachs are in knots. 

Tears flowing non-stop. 

Changes wreck the body and mind alike.

And after relaxing with family over winter break too? Forget about it.

Parents were probably praying for Christmas magic to last a little longer, anxiously awaiting the daily meltdowns school will no doubt bring.

The morning routines were tense enough getting out the door before vacation mode.

But now? 

Schedules are shredded, routines ripped to pieces, schedules all twisted six ways from Sunday.

Just as you finally fell into a groove too.

Bam - it comes crashing down with school only days away from starting up again.

Wasn't the whole point of break to kick back and recharge your batteries?

Now who has the mental stamina for this level of madness at the crack of dawn every weekday?

Going from full dictator parent to walking...

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...

Parenthood is an incredible journey filled with both heartwarming moments and immense challenges. 

We understand that firsthand here at MTC because we've been there ourselves. 

We know that when your child is facing mental health issues, it can shake you to your core and leave you feeling utterly overwhelmed.

If you're reading this, it means you're 

likely in a situation similar to what Rachel and Ash went through with their own HSC. Their little one was battling dark thoughts, expressing a desire to end their own life, and exhibiting behaviors like yelling, shutting down, and refusing to attend school. 

Rachel and Ash tried everything—they searched for the right therapists, experimented with various approaches, but nothing seemed to make a difference. 

The situation had pushed them to their breaking point, leaving them feeling helpless and unsure of what steps to take next. 

Their child's safety and well-being weighed heavily on their minds, and...

Opening up can be difficult for kids, especially those who are highly sensitive. 

Creating a safe space is key to helping highly sensitive kids feel comfortable opening up. 

But how do you actually do that?

Here are some transformative tips that I’ve cultivated over the years after working with hundreds of families:

#1 Active Listening is Key

Make sure to face your child, maintain eye contact and put other distractions aside when they talk. 

Have you ever spilled your heart out to a friend only to look up and see them scrolling on their phone? Or giving you basic “mmhmm” responses?

You know they’re not listening and it doesn’t feel great.

Imagine your highly sensitive child experiencing the same thing but way more intensely.

Body language and eye contact are so important.

It’s also helpful to repeat back what they said to show you understand. 

Ask...

Relationships strained to the breaking point. 

And you feel powerless, like nothing works to manage your HSC’s intense emotions.

As a parent, few things cause more pain than seeing your child struggle emotionally.

Dealing with intense meltdowns, withdrawal, or overwhelming emotions, you know the toll this takes on the entire family.

Highly sensitive children experience the world differently than others.

Every sound, sight, touch or change can feel amplified, if they do not have the skills to regulate their emotions, & this can cause disruptions to the peace of your home.

Even if you try to validate their feelings, your reactions and consequences seem to only make things worse without a process…

Something we hear so often at MTC is that family relationships often become strained and chaos grows, which leaves you doubting your abilities.

I have to tell you - this chaos is not your fault.

However, it is your responsibility. 

Your HSC’s sensitivity is...

No matter how much we love our children... they can embarrass us.

Whether screaming in stores or rude behavior, it's difficult to watch.

On one hand, you never want your child to feel like they've disappointed you. 

You obviously don’t want your child to know you’re embarrassed of them. 

Yet harsh looks from other parents burn, and meltdowns in public feel like you’re put in a spotlight for the way you parent..

Take a breath. 

Acceptance is key. 

Feeling embarrassed is normal and human - forgive yourself as you forgive your kid for having the meltdown. 

What matters is your HSCs wellbeing, not others' perception of you. 

It is also true that it doesn’t have to be this way.

You can accept the emotions you are feeling.

You don’t have to accept the meltdown that is a result of a lack of skill to manage the emotions.

Your kid can learn how to...

The holidays are a glorious time of food, family and gratitude! 

But for parents of HSCs, getting to that table brings worries and anxiety.

Last year plays on an endless loop - the dread building each November.

Canceled plans, disrupted meals, stress ruining moments meant for bonding.

Maybe you're still trying to coax your reluctant social butterfly out from their room to mingle. 

Or perhaps getting shoes on causes a meltdown because your highly sensitive child struggles with transitions.

Maybe that fall sweater Nana made doesn’t feel just right, so now there's threats to wear it and tears and screaming ensue.

Wherever you feel stuck in the holiday meltdown cycle, know you're not alone. 

Major changes in routine layer on stress, and highly sensitive kids feel it doubly. 

The meltdowns make family time a minefield.

Have you missed treasured traditions due to pre-meal meltdowns? 

Missing out on a food drive at your place of worship, where valuable...