It’s incredibly confusing and overwhelming to have a child who seems to react to the world differently to the norm. It leaves you wondering:
Is it my fault?
Have I done anything to cause this?
Is there a way to fix it?
What’s gone wrong for them?
I'd like you to know that nothing has gone wrong-and it’s most certainly not your fault that they seem to have such an intense experience of life.
They simply have a much more delicate nervous system and THIS is what causes a highly sensitive child. It’s a biologically-based trait that exists in 1 in 5 people (and is as real as say colour-blindness, with solid science behind it).
But since this is an often neglected and hugely overlooked aspect of individual difference, many parents are left thinking there’s something inherently wrong…
There absolutely isn’t.
Of course, that isn’t to say that the struggles you may be facing are OK, but I’m here to let you know that the current understanding of them is probably a big part of the issue.
The term ‘highly sensitive’ can elicit so many misconceptions…
So on behalf of my highly sensitive child and all others out there who are in the 1 in 5 club, I’d love to bust some key myths:
1) High Sensitivity is NOT about being easily offended or overly sensitive to criticism. This is a poor interpretation.
It is a biologically-based trait and we're not talking about someone who is 'sensitive' in the traditional sense of the word.
It encompasses factors such as:
Deeper processing of the world and heightened perceptivity
Feeling emotions intensely,
Dialled-up sensory experiences
And vulnerability to overstimulation, because their brains are simply noticing and taking note of EVERYTHING.
2) To Have High Sensitivity DOES NOT just mean you cry a lot or can't control your emotions.
Having this trait simply cannot be boiled down to being overly tearful or emotional. It has a legitimate cause and goes much deeper than this.
3) A child with this trait does not have to GET OVER their sensitivity. It is not something that needs to be 'trained out of them'.
In fact treating it as such is the fastest way to make any struggles they're having much WORSE.
There are significant consequences of ignoring it, or teaching your child to mask or supress this core part of who they are.
You need to be their biggest advocate.
If anyone ever asks you what causes a highly sensitive child, you can now reply with confidence that:
Your child simply has a wonderfully unique genetic variation.
And it’s caused by that beautiful spice of life- diversity and individual difference.
High sensitivity is inborn- it’s who your child was designed to be. It comes with huge gifts too and the great news is that (whilst not quite fast enough) the world IS starting to realise how valuable these minds are!
Wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same?
Hands up if you have identified this trait in yourself? ✋
It's something I have learnt to absolutely value and honor about myself. My child is following in my footsteps when it comes to being Highly Sensitive and is FLOURISHING.
The great news is that I have a free parenting course that has been created especially for raising children like yours. If you’d like to know exactly HOW to get it right for them then I invite you to find out more HERE.
High sensitivity comes with so many gifts and there are many reasons to get excited if you think you or your child might be in the club.
Please pass this information on to anyone who might benefit from hearing it.
As always don't hesitate to reach out if you want to find out more.
Supporting you all the way,
Sarah xx