Parenting Reflections: What It Looks Like in Real Life to Co-Regulate Through Big Emotions (Hint: It's Not Always Simple or Pretty, and You're Still Doing a Great Job!)
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 tips to help you sit through the hard stuff, support your child’s emotional release, and tune in to what they really need—even when it’s tough.
FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.raisedresilient.com/breakthrough
Is Your Child Highly Sensitive? Take My FREE Quiz! https://www.raisedresilient.com/quiz
FREE Guide: 10 Things Your Highly Sensitive Child Needs You to Know: https://www.raisedresilient.com/10things
Mastering Meltdowns Support: https://www.raisedresilient.com/meltdowns
Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisedresilient
FREE Mindset Shifts: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset
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17:02
When Someone in the Family Is Struggling—Here’s How to Talk to Your Highly Sensitive Child About Hard Dynamics (Without Shame or Blame)
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, behaves unpredictably, or struggles with emotional regulation or substance use. You'll hear why protecting our kids from all hard things isn’t the goal—and how sharing just enough can actually help them feel safer.
If you grew up in a family that withheld information “to protect you,” this episode offers a gentle, honest way to start breaking that cycle—while honoring both your child’s sensitivity and their need for truth.
FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.raisedresilient.com/breakthrough
Is Your Child Highly Sensitive? Take My FREE Quiz! https://www.raisedresilient.com/quiz
FREE Guide: 10 Things Your Highly Sensitive Child Needs You to Know: https://www.raisedresilient.com/10things
Mastering Meltdowns Support: https://www.raisedresilient.com/meltdowns
Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisedresilient
FREE Mindset Shifts: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset
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21:24
Parenting Reflections: The Toughest Parenting Moment I’ve Faced in a Long Time—What Went Right, What I Did Wrong, & How I Moved Forward With My Highly Sensitive Child
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. Because let’s be real—parenting highly sensitive kids is a rollercoaster. The key is learning to see what’s underneath their big emotions so you can respond in a way that actually helps.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re getting it right, this episode is your reminder that even the hardest moments can lead to powerful breakthroughs. And if you want to better understand what’s really behind your highly sensitive child’s behaviors and unkind words, grab my free guide, 10 Things Your Highly Sensitive Child Needs You to Know—it’s a game changer.
FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.raisedresilient.com/breakthrough
Is Your Child Highly Sensitive? Take My FREE Quiz! https://www.raisedresilient.com/quiz
FREE Guide: 10 Things Your Highly Sensitive Child Needs You to Know: https://www.raisedresilient.com/10things
Mastering Meltdowns Support: https://www.raisedresilient.com/meltdowns
Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisedresilient
FREE Mindset Shifts: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset
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17:12
Has Your Sensitive Child Been Diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)? Here's Why I Don't Believe in That Diagnosis (& What’s Really Going on With “Defiant” Kids)
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. Instead of focusing on “fixing” challenging behaviors, let’s unpacks what’s driving them in the first place and what kids actually need when they push back the hardest.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or even judged because of your child’s big reactions, this conversation will be a breath of fresh air. Let’s rethink the way we see these behaviors—and discover a more compassionate, effective way to support our kids.
FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.raisedresilient.com/breakthrough
Is Your Child Highly Sensitive? Take My FREE Quiz! https://www.raisedresilient.com/quiz
FREE Guide: 10 Things Your Highly Sensitive Child Needs You to Know: https://www.raisedresilient.com/10things
Mastering Meltdowns Support: https://www.raisedresilient.com/meltdowns
Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisedresilient
FREE Mindset Shifts: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset
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19:28
Parenting Reflections: Kate's Transformation: From Overwhelmed, Co-Parenting Single Mom Facing Daily 90-Minute Meltdowns to a Calm, Confident Parent of a Highly Sensitive Child
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 parenting her sensitive child. She shares why she made the bold decision to invest in support—choosing her family’s well-being over saving for a car—and how that one choice transformed everything. Now, instead of walking on eggshells, she knows exactly how to handle the meltdowns, and parenting feels lighter, easier, and even enjoyable.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re barely hanging on, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. Kate’s story is proof that real change is possible—and that you don’t have to keep doing this alone. Check the link below for your free breakthrough call, and grab your spot in the Chaos to Connection Program!
FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.raisedresilient.com/breakthrough
Is Your Child Highly Sensitive? Take My FREE Quiz! https://www.raisedresilient.com/quiz
FREE Guide: 10 Things Your Highly Sensitive Child Needs You to Know: https://www.raisedresilient.com/10things
Mastering Meltdowns Support: https://www.raisedresilient.com/meltdowns
Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisedresilient
FREE Mindset Shifts: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset
Acerca de Raised Resilient: Help Your Highly Sensitive Child
Parenting is the hardest job ever – and parenting a highly sensitive child who’s struggling can feel downright impossible.
If you’re suffering through endless meltdowns, walking on eggshells to avoid your child’s huge emotions, and losing sleep worrying that you’re failing your child, you’ve landed in the right place.
I’m Dr. Hilary Mandzik – clinical psychologist, parenting specialist, and mom of 3. And I’m here to help you feel GOOD about parenting your highly sensitive child.
Join me each week on the Raised Resilient podcast as we explore the topics parents worry about most when it comes to raising highly sensitive kids: managing meltdowns, building emotion regulation, understanding highly sensitive kids, making sense of challenging behaviors, building self-esteem, finding parenting strategies that actually work *with* your child’s sensitivity ... and everything in between.
I’ll help you understand your child’s behavior (and your reactions to it!) so that even the really hard moments make more sense. I’ll empower you with tools, strategies, and scripts to navigate those really hard moments with connection and confidence. (And I’ll remind you that no tool, strategy, or script is as powerful as your parenting ace – your relationship with your child!)
I’m passionate about parenting differently – parenting in a way that sees all kids as good, even when they’re struggling. I’m passionate about breaking unhelpful generational cycles and putting a hard stop to spanking, time outs, shaming, and yelling. I’m passionate about helping highly sensitive kids build the skills they need in order to manage their big emotions successfully ... and parents learning to regulate their own emotions alongside their children. I want to help you stop worrying about whether you’re “raising them right” and feel confident that your kids will grow up trusting themselves and feeling comfortable in their skin … because they were raised resilient.
And that’s big. Because raising our kids resilient can literally make this world a better place.
Listen, parenting is hard no matter how you do it. You won’t “enjoy every moment”, no matter what that lady at the store says. But I’m here to help you go from just barely surviving to parenting in a way that genuinely feels good, for you and your highly sensitive child.
So warm up your coffee and grab your ear buds. It’s time to turn your child’s sensitivity into their SUPERPOWER!
Connect with me:
https://www.raisedresilient.com/
IG: @raisedresilient
Schedule your FREE Breakthrough Session: https://www.raisedresilient.com/breakthrough
Do YOU have a highly sensitive child? Take my FREE QUIZ to find out: https://www.raisedresilient.com/quiz
Major themes: parenting highly sensitive / deeply feeling kids; cycle breaking; building emotion regulation; generational healing; respectful parenting; gentle parenting; peaceful parenting; attachment theory / building a secure attachment
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