Many of the highly sensitive children I work with are exceptionally vulnerable to the influence of other people. It is almost as though they are porous, to the point that they may even seem to morph into whomever they spend time with.

In my infant mental health training I learned about the concept of a “window of tolerance.” The basic idea is that we all have a range of experiences and sensations we may be able to tolerate in a given day, and that this range may shrink or expand depending on a variety of factors.

What many highly sensitive children and parents don’t realize is how important these children are for the healing that needs to take place in the world right now…

When our highly sensitive children express stress reactions we may wonder, “Am I pushing my kid too hard?” or, “Is she just too sensitive to manage this?” As caring, well-meaning parents, we obviously don’t want to cause our children any harm…

Research has shown that natural and green environments support increased concentration and improved motor coordination in young children (Wells, 2000: NY State College of Human Ecology)…

Bigger picture transitions are always influencing a highly sensitive youth’s experience of other transitions which may be less significant. Essentially the more transitions the highly sensitive child or teen is going through at any given time, the smaller their window of tolerance will be for any transition, and the more escalated any problematic symptoms or behaviors may be.

This blog discusses the intense emotions of highly sensitive children and teens, and gives parents suggestions about how to support them with their “big feelings.”

One of the more challenging experiences sensitive parents have is when we are going through a hard time and we know our sensitive, empathic children are reacting to it. You may have noticed that your empathic child acts out more, argues more or just melts down more when you are going through your own stressful time.

Listen to Carolina talk about what it’s like to be an empath and provide strategies to cope.

Highly Sensitive Children are constantly picking up more information about their environment than those who aren’t highly sensitive. They deeply process small details that many people aren’t aware of, such as the various sights, sounds, and textures in a room, or the emotional states of other people. Because of this high sensitivity, it is especially important for highly sensitive children to have tools which support them in feeling strong and centered. Maintaining clear boundaries is a key area of practice to develop this feeling of strength and promote resilience in the face of stress.

Figuring out whether your child is an Internalizer or an Externalizer is often the first step in understanding whether they are highly sensitive.

Carolina was interviewed by Jenn Turnham, a personal coach for Highly Sensitive People who are Extroverts, based in Australia. Jenn recently launched an awareness week to support HSP-E’s and provide education to their loved ones. Carolina spoke with Jenn about the gifts and challenges of parenting when one is a Highly Sensitive Person, as well as provided information about Highly Sensitive kids & teens. The interview includes tips for recognizing when your child is an HSP, as well as practical suggestions for how best to support your Highly Sensitive youth.

Our youngest Highly Sensitive People (0-3 HSP’s) display their sensory and emotional sensitivities very early on. It is so important for parents to become aware of the ways their baby or toddler is highly sensitive, so that we may support them in feeling safe, regulated and truly accepted for who they are.

With the nurturing and attunement a highly sensitive parent provides, a highly sensitive child is much more likely to have high self-esteem, and to feel empowered to face the challenges of being an HSP navigating through the world…

Carolina describes some of the ways psychic input may be perceived, and encourages kids and teens to feel empowered around these abilities.

Carolina shares a little of her personal story to highlight how intuition and energy healing became a main focus.

Carolina reviews the three types of sensitivity that we focus on at Butterfly Grove: Sensory, Emotional and Energetic.