Highly Sensitive Children: Tips for Parenting, Nurturing and Co-Regulation with Natalie Brunswick
Highly Sensitive Children: Tips for Parenting, Nurturing and Co-Regulation with Natalie BrunswickDigest
Natalie Brunswick, a psychotherapist, occupational therapist, parenting educator, and mental health advocate, shares her personal journey of discovering her son's high sensitivity. She explains how her son's challenging sleep patterns and sensory sensitivities led her to question traditional sleep training methods and embrace a more responsive approach. Natalie discusses the signs of high sensitivity in children, including sensory overload, emotional intensity, and deep processing. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the impact of stress on sensitive children and the need for parents to provide co-regulation and support. Natalie also addresses the challenges faced by highly sensitive parents themselves, highlighting the importance of self-care and seeking support. The conversation delves into the complexities of navigating a sensitive child's needs, particularly in school settings, and the potential for misdiagnosis. Natalie shares her own experience with postpartum PTSD and the importance of addressing parental trauma. The episode concludes with a discussion about the decision to have more children, acknowledging the emotional toll of raising a sensitive child and the need for careful consideration and planning.
Outlines
Podcast Sponsor: Active Skin Repair
This Chapter introduces Active Skin Repair, a skin health company that offers natural, non-toxic, and medical-grade ingredients for treating various skin issues. The sponsor highlights the product's safety and effectiveness for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Introducing Natalie Brunswick: The Highly Sensitive Family
This Chapter introduces Natalie Brunswick, a psychotherapist, occupational therapist, parenting educator, and mental health advocate, who is the founder of "The Highly Sensitive Family" online platform. The chapter discusses Natalie's inspiration for creating the platform, which stemmed from her own experience raising a highly sensitive son.
Signs of High Sensitivity in Children
This Chapter delves into the signs of high sensitivity in children, including sensory overload, emotional intensity, and deep processing. Natalie explains how these traits can manifest differently in various stages of development and how stress can exacerbate them. She also discusses the concept of "orchids and dandelions," highlighting the different levels of sensitivity and how environment can impact a child's development.
The Importance of Co-Regulation and Support for Sensitive Children
This Chapter emphasizes the importance of co-regulation and support for sensitive children. Natalie explains how sensitive children need more nurturing and responsive caregiving, including holding, bouncing, and contact napping. She discusses the challenges faced by highly sensitive parents themselves and the need for them to prioritize their own self-care and seek support.
Navigating the Needs of Sensitive Children in School Settings
This Chapter explores the challenges of navigating a sensitive child's needs in school settings. Natalie discusses the potential for misdiagnosis and the importance of understanding the impact of the school environment on a child's well-being. She emphasizes the need for parents to advocate for their children's needs and to seek alternative educational options if necessary.
Supporting Sensitive Parents: Self-Care and Trauma Healing
This Chapter focuses on supporting highly sensitive parents. Natalie discusses the importance of self-care and trauma healing for parents who are also sensitively wired. She emphasizes the need for parents to recognize their own needs and to seek support from therapists or other trusted individuals.
The Decision to Have More Children: Navigating Grief and Expectations
This Chapter addresses the decision to have more children, particularly for parents who have experienced a challenging postpartum journey with a sensitive child. Natalie discusses the emotional toll of raising a sensitive child and the need for careful consideration and planning when contemplating another pregnancy. She emphasizes the importance of addressing parental trauma and expectations, and the need to balance personal desires with the realities of parenting a sensitive child.
Keywords
Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
A term coined by Elaine Aron to describe individuals who are more sensitive to their surroundings and internal experiences. HSPs are often characterized by heightened sensory awareness, emotional intensity, and deep processing. They are more easily overwhelmed by sensory input and may experience heightened empathy and compassion. The concept of HSPs has gained popularity in recent years, with many people identifying with the traits and seeking support and understanding.
Neurodivergence
A term used to describe variations in brain structure and function that are not considered to be within the typical range. Neurodivergence encompasses a wide range of conditions, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and high sensitivity. It emphasizes the idea that these variations are not deficits but rather different ways of experiencing the world. The neurodiversity movement advocates for acceptance, inclusion, and understanding of individuals with neurodivergent experiences.
Co-regulation
A process by which individuals regulate their emotional states through interaction with others. In the context of parenting, co-regulation refers to the way parents help their children to calm down and regulate their emotions. This can involve providing physical touch, soothing sounds, or other calming strategies. Co-regulation is particularly important for sensitive children, who may need more support to manage their emotions.
Window of Tolerance
A concept in trauma-informed care that describes the range of emotional states that an individual can tolerate without becoming overwhelmed. When an individual is within their window of tolerance, they are able to function effectively and manage their emotions. However, when they are overwhelmed by stress or sensory input, their window of tolerance can shrink, making it more difficult to regulate their emotions. Understanding the window of tolerance can help parents to provide appropriate support for their children.
Postpartum PTSD
A type of post-traumatic stress disorder that can develop after childbirth. It is characterized by symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and hyperarousal. Postpartum PTSD can be triggered by a traumatic birth experience, postpartum depression, or other stressful events. It is important to seek professional help if you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum PTSD.
Trauma-Informed Care
An approach to care that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and families. Trauma-informed care emphasizes the importance of understanding the history of trauma, providing a safe and supportive environment, and empowering individuals to heal. It is particularly relevant for parents of sensitive children, who may be more likely to experience trauma themselves or to have children who have experienced trauma.
Raising Us Membership
An online membership community created by Natalie Brunswick, offering resources and support for parents of highly sensitive children. The membership provides access to workshops, courses, and a supportive community of like-minded parents.
I'd Love Another Baby But Course
An online course created by Natalie Brunswick, designed to help parents navigate the decision of whether or not to have another child, particularly after a challenging postpartum experience with a sensitive child. The course provides tools and strategies for addressing parental trauma, expectations, and the emotional complexities of expanding a family.
Q&A
What are some signs that a child might be highly sensitive?
Signs of high sensitivity in children can include sensory overload, emotional intensity, deep processing, and a tendency to be easily overwhelmed by sensory input. These traits can manifest differently in various stages of development and can be exacerbated by stress.
How can parents support their highly sensitive children?
Parents can support their highly sensitive children by providing co-regulation, a safe and supportive environment, and opportunities for sensory regulation. This can involve providing physical touch, soothing sounds, and other calming strategies. It's also important to understand the impact of stress on sensitive children and to help them develop coping mechanisms.
What are some challenges faced by highly sensitive parents?
Highly sensitive parents may face challenges such as difficulty regulating their own emotions, sensory overload, and a tendency to be easily triggered by their children's behavior. It's important for these parents to prioritize their own self-care and to seek support from therapists or other trusted individuals.
How can parents navigate the needs of sensitive children in school settings?
Navigating the needs of sensitive children in school settings can be challenging. Parents may need to advocate for their children's needs, such as providing sensory breaks or alternative seating arrangements. They may also need to consider alternative educational options, such as homeschooling, if the school environment is not conducive to their child's well-being.
What is the importance of addressing parental trauma when raising a sensitive child?
Addressing parental trauma is crucial when raising a sensitive child. Untreated trauma can impact a parent's ability to regulate their emotions and provide the support their child needs. Seeking therapy or other forms of support can help parents to heal from past trauma and to create a more stable and nurturing environment for their children.
How can parents make the decision about having more children after a challenging experience with a sensitive child?
The decision to have more children after a challenging experience with a sensitive child requires careful consideration. Parents need to address their own trauma, expectations, and the emotional complexities of expanding a family. It's important to weigh the desire for more children against the potential challenges and to seek support from therapists or other trusted individuals.
What is the most important thing parents should know about raising a sensitive child?
The most important thing parents should know about raising a sensitive child is that their parenting matters more. Sensitive children are more easily impacted by their environment, both positive and negative. Providing a nurturing, supportive, and responsive environment is crucial for their well-being and development.
Show Notes
Episode 41: Highly Sensitive Children: Tips for Parenting, Nurturing and Co-Regulation with Natalie Brunswick @highlysensitivefamily
We hear the term “highly sensitive” a lot these days- but what does being highly sensitive or having a highly sensitive child really mean? This week Rachael and Natalie Brunswick, a psychotherapist OT and parenting educator, dive deep into the characteristics of highly sensitive children (and parents!). You’ll learn all about the importance of understanding and supporting highly sensitive children, as well as the need for parents to do their own inner work.
Here’s what they discuss inside this insightful episode:
- Natalie’s challenges with her colicky and sleepless baby, which led to her own postpartum PTSD diagnosis and a journey towards helping others
- All the amazing & unique characteristics of highly sensitive children
- How to help co-regulate and release stress for parents AND children
- Some of the challenges and difficult experiences that can come with parenting highly sensitive children
- Some potential ways to support highly sensitive children in school and social settings
- Tools for sensitive & neurodivergent parents to support the needs of their sensitive children
- Ways for parents to creatively meet their own needs
- The grief that may arise during parenting
- How to decide if and when you are ready for more children, particularly if your first was highly sensitive or you had a difficult time postpartum
Natalie is a psychotherapist, occupational therapist, parenting educator, mental health advocate, and mother of two exceptional boys. Like so many of us, she came into parenthood with an idea of what it would all look like. And, well, spoiler alert, it looked nothing at all like what she imagined! And so The Highly Sensitive Family was born. The Highly Sensitive Family is an online community with courses, workshops, and support for educating parents and helping others better understand their experiences, their stories, their nervous systems, their families, children & relationships, their dreams & passions.
Mentioned in this episode:
Natalie’s Instagram: @highlysensitivefamily
Natalie’s Website: https://highlysensitivefamily.com/
Natalie’s courses:
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️
✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨
Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.
Episode Sponsored By:
Mysteries About True Histories Podcast:
Tune in every Thursday for a brand new episode of Mysteries About True Histories! This series is perfect for kids ages six and up. Even if your child hasn’t learned some of these concepts yet in school, the storytelling seamlessly plants the seeds for all kinds of math, history, geography and science lessons that will keep your little ones curious and excited to learn. Listen to the podcast here.
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