Raised Resilient: Help Your Highly Sensitive Child
Dr. Hilary Mandzik - Psychologist
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 ...
Parenting Reflections: How to Deal When You’re Super Triggered: Here’s How I Recovered From a Tough Parenting Moment & Used It to Build Emotion Regulation
We all have those moments—something small happens, and suddenly, we’re way more upset than we “should” be. For me, it was a dirty towel placed back in the clean pile, and I couldn’t shake the frustration. Even though I knew it wasn’t really about the towel, I felt stuck in my reaction, and it was pulling me away from the kind of parent I want to be.
In this episode, I’m sharing what happened, why little things can feel so triggering, and what I did to reset (spoiler: it wasn’t just taking deep breaths). If you’ve ever found yourself spiraling over something that seems minor, you’re not alone.
Parenting sensitive kids comes with big emotions—ours included. But when we understand our triggers and give ourselves space to regroup, we can show up the way we truly want to. Next time you’re feeling frustrated, try these simple shifts to reset, reconnect, and show up as the parent you want to be.
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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14:26
The Truth About Meltdowns: Why They’re Not Just a Phase (& the Only Way to Truly Break Free from the Meltdown Cycle!)
Many parents assume their sensitive kids will eventually outgrow meltdowns—but what if that’s just not the case? Today we’re diving into why big feelings don’t just disappear with time and why trying to fix or reason kids out of their emotions doesn’t actually help.
Meltdowns aren’t just overreactions to small stressors—they happen because kids have been holding in big emotions all day, and they don’t yet have the skills to manage them. The problem isn’t the feelings themselves but the lack of tools to process them.
So, what can we do? Tune in as we explore how to truly support our kids through meltdowns, helping them build the skills they need instead of just hoping they’ll "grow out of it." When we shift our approach, we create a space where our kids feel safe with their emotions—and that changes everything.
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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17:18
Parenting Reflections: Brogan and Erik’s Journey: How They Went From Daily Meltdowns & Broken Furniture to a Thriving, More Connected Family (No More Walking on Eggshells!)
Brogan and Erik felt like they were walking on eggshells in their own home. Their 5.5-year-old son’s emotions ran the house—meltdowns turned into full-blown chaos, furniture was broken, and they felt trapped in a cycle of frustration and helplessness. The arrival of their younger son only seemed to intensify things, and by the time he was two, they knew something had to change.
In this special client interview, Brogan and Erik open up about their experience in the Chaos to Connection program and the life-changing transformation that followed. They share how they went from dreading the next outburst to feeling confident in handling their son’s big emotions with calm and connection. What once felt overwhelming is now manageable, and their home finally feels like a place of peace.
Their story is proof that even the hardest parenting struggles can shift with the right tools and support. If you’ve ever felt like your child’s emotions are running the show, this episode will give you hope—and a glimpse of what’s possible when you lean into connection instead of control.
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
Holiday Meltdown Guide: https://www.raisedresilient.com/holidaymeltdowns
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26:08
What's the Difference Between High Sensitivity and Autism? Is My Highly Sensitive Child Neurodivergent? Understanding the Differences, Overlap, and Nuance to Best Support Your Sensitive Child
What does it mean to be a highly sensitive person? Is it the same as being neurodivergent or on the autism spectrum? These are tricky and sometimes controversial questions, especially when raising sensitive kids. In this episode, we’re unpacking what sensitivity really means and why it matters for kids and adults alike.
The thing is, labels aren’t about limits—they’re about understanding. By recognizing your child’s sensitivities (or your own), you can support them in becoming their best, most authentic self. Sensitivity isn’t a flaw; it’s often tied to incredible strengths and beauty.
Through evidence-based insights and practical guidance, we’ll explore how to truly support the sensitive people in our lives—whether that means helping kids manage big emotions or giving yourself space to recharge. With the right tools and a little compassion, sensitivity can be something to celebrate, not just navigate.
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
Holiday Meltdown Guide: https://www.raisedresilient.com/holidaymeltdowns
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41:04
Parenting Reflections: Why I Chose an Advanced Gymnastics Class for My Sensitive 3.5-Year-Old – Even Though It’s Not What Experts (Including Myself!) Typically Recommend
Why would I enroll my 3.5-year-old daughter in an advanced gymnastics class when everything I believe—and most experts agree—says that activities at this age should focus on fun and exploration? Today I’m sharing the story behind this decision and why I chose to go against the grain.
This wasn’t an easy choice, and it certainly wasn’t about pushing my child to perform or excel. Instead, it was about following her lead, honoring her natural abilities, and recognizing when she was truly ready for a new challenge. Parenting sensitive kids often means rethinking the “rules” and trusting your gut, even when it feels unconventional.
And here’s the thing: While I still believe in fun, explorative play for young children, there are exceptions where a more structured path can be the right choice. It’s all about balancing their enthusiasm with the right support to help them thrive, even when it’s outside the usual mold!
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
Holiday Meltdown Guide: https://www.raisedresilient.com/holidaymeltdowns
About 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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