Is There More to My Child’s Sensitivity?
(Audio Transcript)
You already know that your child is highly sensitive. You’ve learned the signs and are continually learning what their nervous system can handle and what may be too much.
Explaining to others has become easier. Not necessarily because they understand, but because you have learned to accept your child’s sensitivity, prioritize their well-being, and, intentionally or because of your own sensitive nature, are becoming less and less judgmental about what others think and more focused on what can make your child’s days, and your shared days, more flowing and attuned to who they are.
Yet you are still not always sure what’s going on.
Your gut feeling, your intuition, tells you there is something more.
Possibly, it’s not only about sensitivity to the enormous noise most humans have grown so used to that they don’t even notice they can’t hear their own soul speaking to them… A hunch that maybe your child’s sensitivity invites more than just regulating and aligning your physical environment, such as, taking off the labels in their new clothing, using a laundry detergent with no scent at all, keeping their surroundings quiet, and so on.
The brief line of thoughts I just shared with you is one reflection of questions that often come up in my conversations with my clients:
Is it more than high sensitivity?
My response would generally depend on what they share.
Since I don’t know your unique story, here is my general invitation to you today…
Start by trying to observe your child when they are calm, when their nervous system is regulated, and when there are no expected triggers.
I know that for many families, such moments are rare. If that’s you, try to find a moment when your child is calmer, relative to what may have become your reference.
Are they tuned in?
Can they be clear about what can help them, what they want, and what is right for them in these moments?
Possibly, it’s just about calming down, playing quietly, and stepping into their imagination, which, if indeed intuitive, will be fruitful and expansive.
Simple Example
Let’s look at a simple example. Going out to the playground when they are calm and regulated, compared with when they are not.
When calm… Can they surprisingly suggest taking an umbrella or a coat because it might rain, and then it does?
Maybe they changed their mind at the last minute, insisting you should stay home.
Maybe calmly, maybe by creating a fuss… and then, the day later, you hear from your neighbors that a tree fell or other kids misbehaved, and now, thinking of it, you wonder whether it was your child avoiding, because of their sensitivity, or tuning into some knowing they could not even explain to themselves, that on that day the playground was to be avoided?
What about you?
What about you?
Are you more than sensitive?
Are you highly intuitive?
If you are, the likelihood that your child’s sensitivity is not just sensitivity but also intuition, active, or wishing to be expressed, is higher.
If indeed you are also intuitive, then you know that listening to ourselves, hearing our own inner guidance, or higher self, is harder, and sometimes even completely impossible, when we are alert, tired, feeling any discomfort, or are overwhelmed.
In my line of work, I have learned that before we can respond to our children’s invitation, we must first take responsibility for who we are.
If that’s high sensitivity, then we must first find how to walk through life in noisy times, regulated, and what helps us.
A calm parent can be present for their child’s needs.
An overwhelmed parent may have the best loving intentions and may do great. However, most likely, they also offer their child an example of self-dismissal instead of calm presence and the acceptance of who they are – sensitive, intuitive, and more.
If you are beyond sensitivity, but only, or also highly intuitive, what kind of guidance did you wish, or wish in retrospect, to have received from your parents or other significant adults?
If I sum up many responses I’ve heard to this question, it is most likely the modeling of listening to one’s inner knowing, woven with the respect of others, to what you know for yourself. Whether about finishing what’s on your plate for dinner, being tuned to what foods make you feel well, to who you are friends with, or larger-scale decisions.
It is very challenging to tune into our intuition when we are overwhelmed. So, beyond everything said so far, to get better clarity on whether your child is more than just highly sensitive, but also intuitive, start by observing both yourself and them when calmer… regulated… It is always so inspiring to see children express their wisdom.
Stepping into Spiritually Aware Parenting
Spiritually aware parenting has many facets to it.
In my journey as a mother, and with clients worldwide, I’ve learned that it is always a choice.
We enter spiritually aware parenting through different gateways.
If the content in this short episode/post sparked something, and your intuition – your inner knowing- wants to learn more, then possibly you are one of those for whom I write.
My books focus on the journey to spiritually aware parenting, and some of its facets, including case stories, personal stories, questioning, tools, and journaling invitations.
If you feel the tingle of your own wisdom relate, but are not sure if this is indeed for you, my Stepping into Spiritually Aware Parenting – a Parent’s Guide may be of help.
It is free to download and includes the exploration of six gateways into spiritually aware parenting. Each of the gateways is described, and then offers some reflective questions and, accordingly, if you find yourself relating to that gateway and wanting to learn more, some suggested next steps.
→ Stepping into Spiritually Aware Parenting – A Parent’s Guide – Free Download
