Parenting is the hardest job we’ll ever do. And parenting a sensitive child who’s struggling can feel like an endless emotional marathon.
But what if raising your sensitive kid with big emotions could actually feel GOOD? Enter Raised Resilient with Dr. Hilary — the parenting podcast I wish I’d had as a first-time mama!
This podcast exists to support you as you parent your highly sensitive child — start at the beginning, or search below for the episode that’s most relevant for you right now!
Welcome to Raised Resilient with Dr. Hilary — empowering support for parents of sensitive kids with big emotions.

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Why Gentle Parenting Isn’t Working for Your Sensitive Child
(& 3 Shifts to Help You Parent More Effectively!)
Gentle parenting is often imagined as staying calm, speaking softly, and always keeping our cool—but that version of it just doesn’t work for highly sensitive kids. In fact, if you’ve ever tried to white-knuckle your way through frustration, you know it doesn’t help.

Featured
Rethinking Child Therapy: 5 Reasons Why It May Not Be the Best Approach for Sensitive Kids
Have you ever considered therapy for your sensitive child, hoping it might be the key to managing their meltdowns and learning to regulate their big emotions? If so, this episode offers 5 compelling reasons to reconsider this intervention — from a play therapist & parenting specialist.

Featured
“You’re the Worst Mommy Ever!”: Navigating Children’s Mad Feelings
Anger is one of the trickiest emotions we deal with as parents. When our kids are angry – especially *at* us – it can be SO tough to stay calm and regulated and to respond in a way that feels good!
93. 3 (Totally Normal!) Thoughts You Might Be Afraid to Share Out Loud as a Parent of a Highly Sensitive Child
Having shameful thoughts around parenting a highly sensitive child, and feeling like you’re the only one? In this podcast episode, I explain how you are far from alone in your thoughts and feelings surrounding parenting. I’ve been there and climbed out of it, and I can show you that you can too. Hear the 3 most common shame-inducing thoughts my prospective clients have in common, and what you can do to find compassion & resilience.
How We Conquered Disney with Highly Sensitive Kids (& Had the BEST Time!)
Have you been itching to take a Disney World vacation with your family, but wondering how your highly sensitive child will handle early morning rope drops and long lines? In this podcast episode, I let you in on the tips and tricks I utilized to keep my family happy while having the best time at Disney. Because here’s the thing: meltdowns still happen at the happiest place on Earth, but don’t worry - with the right action and the tips in this episode, you will conquer and your family will have a memorable vacation.
92. The Power of Rough & Tumble Play: Nurturing Resilience in Sensitive Kids
Is rough and tumble play something to encourage, or shut down? In this podcast episode, I explain four ways rough and tumble play encourages positive development in highly sensitive children. I will also give you examples of toys to have on hand to effectively set up your home to encourage rough and tumble play.
Parenting Reflections: Discovering Your Own Sensitivity as a Parent of a Highly Sensitive Child (& How to Embrace It!)
If you’re like me, the more you recognize your child’s highly sensitive nature, the more you also reflect on your own childhood and realize you have the same sensitivities. In this podcast episode, I get vulnerable and share some of my own childhood memories. I talk about how my own difficulties dealing with big emotions have impacted becoming a parent, and how I began to recognize sensitivity not as a burden, but a superpower.
91. Navigating Public Meltdowns With Your Highly Sensitive Child (& a Giveaway!)
Worried your child will have another meltdown out in public? You are not alone. In this podcast episode, I talk about 3 practical strategies to prepare you for handling meltdowns in a public place. Instead of feeling guilt and shame, you will instead feel more prepared to handle a meltdown with ease.
Parenting Reflections: Breaking the Cycle: Confronting the Role of the ‘Default Parent’
Do you feel like you’ve fallen into the role of the ‘default parent’, handling all parental responsibilities on your own? You are not alone. In this podcast episode, I talk about the role of the default parent, and how you can begin a conversation with your partner to shift this dynamic.
90. Rethinking Child Therapy: 5 Reasons Why It May Not Be the Best Approach for Highly Sensitive Children
Wondering if traditional child therapy is a good option for your highly sensitive child? In this podcast episode, I give a different point of view on the effectiveness of child therapy for highly sensitive kids. Tune in to hear 5 reasons why therapy may not be the best route of intervention, and hear my take on what does work instead.
Parenting Reflections: How to Rediscover Yourself with Solo Travel (And 3 Key Benefits for Parents!)
Let’s face it - parenting is hard. In this new podcast episode, I explain why sometimes we all need a break. I get personal about my life-changing solo trip across the country, and I’ll tell you the 3 key benefits of solo travel. Hear my honest take about the anxiety of traveling away from kids, but also how it can be truly transformative.
89. How to Navigate Sibling Jealousy During Birthdays (& 3 Strategies to Support Your Highly Sensitive Child!)
Have you noticed your highly sensitive child has been showing jealousy during sibling’s birthdays? In this podcast episode, I explain the reason for sibling jealousy during birthday celebrations and discuss 3 valuable strategies for handling these big emotions in the moment.
Kelsey & Cody’s Story: How a Family Turned Chaos, Meltdowns & Prior Medical Trauma Into a Peaceful Home Life
Kelsey and Cody felt their family was struggling big time. Having a 4-year-old sensitive daughter with previous medical trauma, and 2-year-old twins, constant meltdowns and other behavioral issues, it quickly became a lot to cope with. Listen as I interview Kelsey and Cody about their time spent in my Connections to Chaos program, and become inspired at how their story turns out. Their massive wins in parenting will assure you that you are not alone.
88. How to Stop Walking on Eggshells When Saying “No” to Your Highly Sensitive Child (And the 3 Alternatives You Can Do Instead!)
Have you noticed how difficult it can be for your highly sensitive child to hear the response “no”? You are not alone. In this podcast episode, I explain why it’s so hard for your child to accept “no” as an answer - and 3 powerful things you can do instead to help your child redirect and learn to accept “no”!
Parenting Reflections: How to Decode Your Highly Sensitive Child’s Meltdowns & Get to the Root Cause of Huge Reactions to Trivial Triggers
Always coping with your child’s meltdowns, especially after they spend the night away from home? In this podcast episode, I share an example of a recent full-blown meltdown, and how I managed to regulate myself AND my child after this occurred.
87. Navigating Perfectionism in Highly Sensitive Children: 3 Invaluable Tips for How to Respond to Your Child’s “I Want to be Perfect” Voice
Does your highly sensitive child often express wanting or needing to be perfect? Here’s the thing: perfectionism is prominent in highly sensitive kids. In this podcast episode, I explore three methods of responding to your child when their “I want to be perfect” voice takes over, including my own parenting examples. You’ll learn how not to reassure them, but instead to validate their feelings of perfectionism and become more resilient when experiencing uncomfortable emotions.
Parenting Reflections: Navigating Parental Anger: Here’s My Simple but Powerful Tool to Regulate After Losing Your Cool
Navigating anger as a parent can be a tricky task. In this podcast episode, I talk about my one simple yet powerful tool to help regulate after you lose your cool, while sharing my own parenting example about a difficult bedtime struggle.
86. Does Your Highly Sensitive Child Worry Constantly? Why Reassuring Your Anxious Child Is the Worst Thing You Can Do (& What to do Instead to Master Anxiety!)
Does your child come to you with complaints of constant worry and anxiety? In this episode, I share how to navigate your highly sensitive child’s anxiety, including why you may feel uncomfortable hearing your child’s worries and what you should do instead of trying to “fix” them.
Parenting Reflections: “Why Are You Being So Mean?!”: How to Get Curious About Even the Most Challenging Behaviors
Does your child ever say or do things that seem just plain mean? In this episode, I share a story from my own parenting where I had to get curious about what was really going on underneath behavior that, on the surface, felt mean and purposeful. I share how I did this and what I uncovered – it might surprise you!
85. Trying to Get Your Child to “Calm Down” or “Stop Overreacting”? Here’s Why That’s Actually Making the Meltdowns Worse
So often, we think we’re validating our kids’ feelings … but we’re actually shutting them down. If you’re constantly trying to get your highly sensitive child to calm down or stop overreacting, you’re probably doing just that without even realizing it. In this episode, I share 3 ways you’re accidentally making meltdowns worse – and what to do instead!
Parenting Reflections: Are Your Kids Fighting Constantly? My #1 Tool for Diffusing Sibling Conflict (Without Going Into Referee Mode!)
If your kids are fighting constantly, what should you do? In this podcast episode, I shares her favorite tool for helping siblings resolve conflict without having to be a referee.
84. “Go Away, Mommy!”: How to Respond Effectively When Your Highly Sensitive Child Pushes You Away When They Need You Most
How should you respond when your highly sensitive child tells you to "go away!"? Should you give them space, or stay with them? In this podcast episode, I share why this happens and how to respond effectively.
Natasha’s Story: How An Overwhelmed Mom Helped Her Highly Sensitive 4-Year-Old Ditch Meltdowns and Aggressive Behaviors & Get Her “Spark” Back
Natasha and her family were really struggling; their 4-year-old highly sensitive daughter was having daily meltdowns, showing aggressive behaviors toward her baby sister, and resorting to destruction (like throwing a spice rack full of glass) in really tough moments. Listen as I interview Natasha about her family’s experience in my Chaos to Connection program. Her story (and her massive wins!) will inspire you and help you see that you’re not alone.