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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Episodes

Wednesday Nov 23, 2022

We all want our kids to be polite & kind, and this includes saying “thank you” when appropriate. In fact, many of us were raised to believe that “good kids always say ‘thank you,’” so we might feel triggered when our child can’t, won’t, or doesn’t thank someone. We can start to wonder: Am I raising an ungrateful child??
 
In today’s episode, I dive into what it looks like to help our kids recognize, connect with, and (eventually!) express feelings of gratitude. I talk about our role as parents in helping our kids tap into their gratitude (spoiler alert: It’s not forcing them to “go say thank you!”) and how we can do this in a way that doesn’t leave us (or our child) looking ungrateful at the holiday gift exchange.
 
Here’s the thing: Gratitude is a feeling. And we can’t force our kids to feel anything. What we can do is model noticing & verbalizing things we feel grateful for and help our kids learn to recognize when they’re feeling grateful. If we do this, our kids will eventually start to express real, honest gratitude all on their own.
 
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisedresilient/
 
FREE Holiday Survival Guide for Parents!: https://www.raisedresilient.com/holiday
 
Book a virtual coaching session with me! www.raisedresilient.com/coaching

Wednesday Nov 16, 2022

As parents, we give SO much of ourselves. Parenting is HARD. And parenting differently than how we were parented can take a lot out of us; we’re reparenting ourselves while we’re coregulating with our kids, even when we’re not really feeling it. And when you add to all of that the stress of the holidays, it can be really hard to show up the way we want to unless we’re taking good care of ourselves. 
 
In today’s episode, I talk about self-care for parents – and why it’s the necessary foundation upon which we build everything else we do as parents. I explore why we often struggle to care for ourselves the way we do for others, why seeking “balance” can actually make things even harder for us, and how we can fit in self-care around our kids and amidst our busy lives.
 
Here’s the thing: Self-care as a parent is necessary – it’s never selfish or something that’s “nice to have if we can fit it in.” If we’re not taking care of ourselves, we will struggle to show up as the parents we want to be. Self-care has to be a priority, full stop. 
 
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisedresilient/
 
FREE Holiday Survival Guide for Parents!: https://www.raisedresilient.com/holiday
 
Book a virtual coaching session with me! www.raisedresilient.com/coaching
 
LMNT Electrolytes (no sponsorship – just a favorite product of mine!): https://drinklmnt.com/

Wednesday Nov 09, 2022

Most of us grew up being punished when our behavior didn’t please our parents: We were spanked, sent to time-out, sent to our rooms, or grounded. This was just how people parented when we were kids. And now that you’re a parent yourself, you might struggle as you decide whether to use punishments with your own child. 
 
In today’s episode, I tackle the topic of punishments. Are punishments actually effective? Are punishments harmful? If we’re not using punishments with our child, what else can we do when challenging behaviors show up? What’s the difference between a punishment, a boundary, and a consequence? I answer all of these questions and more in this week’s episode – and I share three reasons why I don’t recommend using punishments with children.
 
Here’s the thing: If we’re trying to raise connected, resilient kids with a solid foundation of emotion regulation, then punishments go against everything we’re working toward. And there are better, more effective ways of shaping behavior in the long-term. These other ways of dealing with behavior take more effort on the front end, but they are worth it in the long run!
 
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisedresilient/
 
FREE Mindset Shifts to Ditch the Overwhelm & Parent in a Way That Feels GOOD!: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset
 
Book a virtual coaching session with me! www.raisedresilient.com/coaching
 

Wednesday Nov 02, 2022

One of the earliest pieces of parenting advice I got was this: “You just have to find your child’s currency, and then ‘good’ behavior will follow.” And at the time, I thought it was decent advice; sticker charts and treats are pretty innocent, right? And rewards are better than punishments, aren’t they? Well, as it turns out, rewards aren’t as innocent as they seem.
 
In today’s episode, I dive into using rewards with our kids. Do rewards really work to change a child’s behavior? What are there risks associated with using rewards in parenting? And if you’re not going to use rewards to motivate your child, what can you do instead? I answer all of these questions and more in this week’s episode.
 
Here’s the thing: Rewards aren’t as harmless as they seem; they’re actually very similar to punishments, and in the long-term, they aren’t very effective. But the good news is that you can absolutely motivate your child in other, more organic ways (that don’t cost you anything and actually work long-term!). And after listening to today’s episode, you’ll know how to do that.
 
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisedresilient/
 
FREE Mindset Shifts to Ditch the Overwhelm & Parent in a Way That Feels GOOD!: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset
 
Book a virtual coaching session with me! www.raisedresilient.com/coaching

Wednesday Oct 26, 2022

“Mom rage”: We don’t really talk about it, do we? There’s so much shame in our society around anger in general – and parenting rage feels even more unspeakable. But even though it feels unspeakable, parenting rage is SO common, and you’re definitely not alone if you’ve experienced it!
 
In today’s episode, I unpack “mom rage” (including why we call it “mom rage” even though any parent can experience it). I break down what “mom rage” really is & share four of the most common reasons we get ragey in parenting & simple action items to address each root cause. This episode is for you if you’ve ever wondered: Why do we go through seasons where we’re losing our ish constantly? And what can we do to support ourselves and move away from rage and intense, frequent anger in parenting?
 
Here’s the thing: Rage in parenting is super common, and you’re still a good parent if you’re experiencing it. It’s not your fault, and you’re not alone. But you don’t have to stay in a place of feeling ragey / intensely angry all the time! You CAN feel better! I share four action items to help you move out of this place of constant parenting rage so that you can parent in a way that TRULY feels good. You’ve got this!
 
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisedresilient/
 
FREE Mindset Shifts to Ditch the Overwhelm & Parent in a Way That Feels GOOD!: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset
 
Book a virtual coaching session with me! www.raisedresilient.com/coaching
 
Find a therapist using the Postpartum Support International Directory: https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/
 
Listen to the Dr. Brooke Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-brooke-show/id1124755635

Wednesday Oct 19, 2022

Talking to kids about death feels hard, doesn’t it? It’s a tough subject for us as adults. And we’re often talking about it while grieving a fresh loss, which makes it all the more challenging. Sometimes it feels so hard to broach this topic that we just don’t … until we have to.
 
In today’s episode, I empower you with everything you need to know to have a conversation about death with your child starting today, even if you’re not grieving a fresh loss. I share how to broach the topic, what to actually say (& what not to say!), and how to deal when you’re grieving & sad and simultaneously having to support your child through a tough loss. 
 
Here’s the thing: Death is a natural & inevitable part of life. When we approach it as such with our kids, we create space for them to integrate death as a concept into their world long before they actually need to understand it. Talking about death with your child is important, and after listening to today’s episode, you’ll feel ready to start that conversation.
 
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisedresilient/
FREE Mindset Shifts to Ditch the Overwhelm & Parent in a Way That Feels GOOD!: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset

Wednesday Oct 12, 2022

We talk a lot about setting boundaries with kids – and this is for good reason! Boundaries make kids feel safe, and it’s important that we show up as the sturdy leaders our kids need us to be. But sometimes our limits are less about safety and more about our own personal preference, which introduces some “gray area” into the equation of when to set a boundary with a child.
 
In today’s episode, I talk about how, while boundaries are super important in parenting, it’s also equally important that our kids feel like they have a voice. Our kids need to be able to express their needs and wants, share their opinions, and sometimes have influence in the parent-child relationship, and in today’s episode, I share ways to do this while still maintaining safety and sturdy leadership.
 
Here’s the thing: We don’t want our kids to grow up feeling like they always have to cave to what someone else wants. We don’t want them to feel like they have to do something just because someone else tells them to do it. We want our kids to know they have the right to take up space, and after today’s episode, you’ll understand what it means to give your child influence in the parent-child relationship without sacrificing safety or wavering in your leadership.
 
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisedresilient/
 
FREE Mindset Shifts to Ditch the Overwhelm & Parent in a Way That Feels GOOD!: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset

Wednesday Oct 05, 2022

Your child is climbing up high on a play structure, and you’re feeling nervous. What are you actually supposed to do? Should you be sipping coffee nonchalantly on a park bench nearby, letting whatever happens happen? Or should you be right there next to your child, setting limits around how high she climbs?
 
In this week’s episode, I help you understand the importance of supporting your child as they explore the world around them. I talk about scaffolding their experience to support developing skills, setting up the environment for success, and finding the balance between hovering and completely checking out. 
 
Here’s the thing: Supporting our children as they explore is literally half of what it means to build a secure attachment relationship, so as much as we might want to, we can’t just keep our children right next to us all the time. But after listening to today’s episode, you’ll know how to support your child in safe, healthy, developmentally appropriate exploration.
 
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisedresilient/
 
FREE Mindset Shifts to Ditch the Overwhelm & Parent in a Way That Feels GOOD!: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset

Wednesday Sep 28, 2022

You’re validating all the feelings. You’re saying all the right things. You’re pretty sure you’re doing everything right … and yet you don’t feel any more connected to your child. In fact, you feel pretty frustrated. And your child’s challenging behavior isn’t changing. What gives?!?
 
In this week’s episode, I dive into one of the most common reasons why gentle / respectful / peaceful / conscious parenting might be falling flat: The energy you’re bringing to the situation doesn’t match the goals you have or the words you’re saying. I give examples of how to shift your energy in these moments so you can shift the dynamic between you and your child. 
 
Here’s the thing: The energy we bring to any given moment in parenting is SO much more important than any strategy, script, or tool. When you can shift your energy to a calmer, more present, more patient vibe, connection just happens – and from there, behavior shifts.
 
FREE Mindset Shifts to Ditch the Overwhelm & Parent in a Way That Feels GOOD!: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisedresilient/

Wednesday Sep 21, 2022

Sharing is caring … or is it? Most of us grew up thinking that sharing was kindness – and that good kids always share. And now as parents, we wonder: Why isn’t my child sharing? How do I get my child to share? And should I force my child to share if it’s not happening?
 
In this week’s episode, I unpack the topic of kids & sharing: What’s really going on when kids won’t share? Is it normal for kids not to share? And how should parents respond when kids won’t share? I share the perspective shift required to respond effectively in these moments – and why I don’t recommend forcing kids to share.
 
Here’s the thing: Understanding what’s really happening when your child won’t share is key to being able to respond in a way that’s helpful and builds connection and resilience. And after listening to today’s episode, you’ll be able to do exactly that!
 
FREE Mindset Shifts to Ditch the Overwhelm & Parent in a Way That Feels GOOD!: https://www.raisedresilient.com/mindset
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisedresilient/

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