Parenting Highly Sensitive Children (HSP)

Highly Sensitive People (HSP)

​Traits of highly sensitive children include a heightened sensitivity to their environment and experiences. Sensory information (sight, smell, touch, hearing) is processed on a deeper level, thus providing an ability to detect even the most subtle changes in their environment. Highly sensitive children tend to react with intense emotions, demonstrate empathy, and have a keen intuition. As a result of their adept awareness, highly sensitive children may become overstimulated, or overwhelmed by the stimuli in their surroundings.

Parents of highly sensitive children can provide their support in the following ways:

1. Validate - By acknowledging and validating their child’s emotional responses, parents will allow their children to feel seen and understood.
2. Calm Environment - Parents may be able to manage their children’s anxious feelings by establishing structure and predictability in their home environment. 
3. Plan - Parents may be able to support their highly sensitive children by preparing them for outings or social situations. Two ways to accomplish this include discussing expectations and establishing effective coping strategies. 
4. Encouraging Break Time - Parents can support their highly sensitive children by providing break times between and during stimulating activities to allow the child to recharge.
5. Establish Coping Strategies - Highly sensitive children and their parents can work together to find effective coping skills to manage overwhelming emotions.​

Here are some coping strategies that parents can teach their children to manage emotional dysregulation: 

1. Deep Breathing - encourage the child to take slow, deep breaths to calm their nervous system. Parents can find techniques that help children visualize and learn this in a fun and accessible way, like box breathing or candle breathing techniques.
   
2. Mindfulness and Meditation - Parents can help teach mindfulness by finding grounding techniques that work best for their child, for example, 5-4-3-2-1 grounding or ocean breathing.
   
3. Physical Activity - Parents can have their children engage in exercise to get their bodies moving, reducing stress and improving mood.
   
4. Engage in Creative Activities - Children may prefer expressing their emotional experiences through art, such as coloring, or playing/listening to music. 
   
5. Implementing Positive Affirmations - Parents can teach their children to utilize positive self-talk to challenge their negative thoughts.

Therapies for highly sensitive children focus on helping them manage their emotions and sensory experiences. Here are some effective approaches:

1. Play Therapy - This allows children to express themselves through play, which is a natural communication method for them.
2. ​Art and Music Therapy - Engaging in creative activities like painting or playing instruments can help children process emotions and reduce stress.
3. Occupational Therapy - This can address sensory processing issues, helping children manage overstimulation.
   
4. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques - Teaching mindfulness, deep breathing, and relaxation skills can aid in emotional regulation.

Remember, the industry may be experiencing a downturn, but your creativity doesn’t have to. Recharging, diversifying your talents, and investing in your mental health are all critical steps to ensure that when opportunities arise again, you’ll be ready. If you find yourself feeling lost, overwhelmed, or in need of support, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

Book a Call At The Feeling Space, we specialize in helping creatives manage their mental health and navigate challenging industry landscapes. If you're feeling stuck or burned out, we’re here to help. Take the first step towards emotional wellness.
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