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. Hilarythe 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.

Featured

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.

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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.

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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!

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

113. "My Sensitive Kid is Rude to Strangers!" -- How to Guide Your Child Through Public Encounters Without Tears, Screaming, or Embarrassment

In this podcast episode, we’re tackling those awkward moments when your highly sensitive child reacts strongly to friendly strangers. If you've ever felt embarrassed or uncertain when your child blurts out “no!” or “I don’t want to smile!” to a well-meaning person in public, you're not alone. Join me as I explore why these interactions can feel overwhelming for sensitive kids, what’s really behind those big reactions, and practical ways to help them feel safer and more at ease in busy settings. Let’s turn these tricky moments into confidence-builders for you and your child!

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

Parenting Reflections: My Sensitive Child Hit, Spit, and Called Me Names -- Here's Exactly How I Handled It to Build Lasting Emotional Resilience

We've all experienced those hectic days when it feels impossible to carve out quality time with our little ones. In this podcast episode, I reflect on a challenging day with my 3.5-year-old daughter, who had a significant meltdown after spending much of the day apart from me. As she let her emotions spill out, I tapped into my years of parenting wisdom and therapy insights to respond calmly instead of getting overwhelmed. Join me as I share this proud parenting moment and explore the power of simply being present to help our sensitive children process their feelings.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

112. 5 Ways You Might Be Shaming Your Sensitive Child Without Meaning to (& What to Do Instead!)

In this podcast episode, we’re tackling the subtle ways shame can creep into our interactions with sensitive kids—and how, as parents, we can shift to more supportive approaches. Even with the best intentions, certain phrases and reactions can make our kids feel misunderstood or invalidated. I’ll share 5 common habits that might unintentionally cause shame and offer simple, effective swaps to create a more validating and safe space for your child to express their big feelings.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

Parenting Reflections: How I Use "Micro Connections" to Keep My Sensitive Kid Feeling Secure (Without Hours of Play)

Feeling like you need to spend hours with your child just to keep them feeling connected and secure? In this podcast episode, I’m sharing a simple but powerful approach called "micro connections" that can help fill your highly sensitive child's emotional cup without taking up all your time. These small moments of connection throughout the day can make a huge impact—and I'll share some personal wins to show just how it works!

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

111. When the “Calm-Down Corner” Isn’t Enough: How Overusing Coping Skills Can Fall Short for Highly Sensitive Kids (& What Can Help Instead!)

Coping skills don’t always work the way we expect for highly sensitive kids, and it can be frustrating when they’re still overwhelmed despite trying everything. In this podcast episode, I’ll dive into why that happens and what parents might be doing wrong without even realizing it. You’ll discover why simply using coping skills to escape emotions isn’t enough and learn how to guide your child through their big feelings in a way that helps them grow, not just avoid the discomfort.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

Parenting Reflections: How I Realized My Sensitive Kid Was Overscheduled (& How to Find the Right Balance for Yours)

Sensitive kids often need more downtime than we realize. In this podcast episode, I talk about why it's so important to protect that rest time and how to recognize when your child is feeling overwhelmed. I share my own journey of learning this with my son, who now makes his own choices about when he needs to take a break—even if it means missing out on fun activities. Join me to explore how you can help your child find the balance they need to thrive.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

110. Why Transitions are So Hard with Sensitive Kids (& 3 Things You Can Do to Make Them Go More Smoothly)

Transitions can be incredibly challenging for highly sensitive kids, as they experience emotions more intensely than others. In this podcast episode, we dive into why these everyday changes can feel so overwhelming for your child and explore how you can better support them through these moments. Tune in for 3 actionable tips that will help ease transitions and create smoother, more peaceful experiences for both you and your sensitive child.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

Parenting Reflections: 3 Mistakes I Made as a First-Time Mom to a Highly Sensitive Child (& How You Can Learn From My Mistakes!)

In this podcast episode, I dive into the 3 biggest mistakes I made as a first-time mom to a highly sensitive child. Parenting can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding a sensitive child’s unique needs, and I learned a lot from my early missteps. If you’re struggling with how to support your sensitive child, tune in to hear what I’ve learned and how you can avoid making the same mistakes. And if you need more support – book a free breakthrough call to talk strategy about parenting your highly sensitive child!

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

109. 3 Reasons Validating Your Sensitive Child’s Feelings Isn’t Working (& the #1 Mindset Shift You Need!)

Many parents feel like validating their highly sensitive child's feelings just doesn’t work, but it may be more about the approach than the act itself. In this podcast episode, I dive into the common mistakes parents make when trying to validate their child's emotions and why it can sometimes feel like it’s backfiring. Learn how to adjust your approach and make validation more effective in helping your child feel understood and supported. If you’ve struggled with this, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips to help you turn things around!

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

Parenting Reflections: Anna & Josh’s Story: How They Broke the Meltdown Cycle and Stopped Walking on Eggshells, Rebuilding Peace and Connection in Their Home

Anna and Josh were facing daily struggles with their highly sensitive daughter’s intense meltdowns, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and disconnected as a family. After going through the Chaos to Connection program, they experienced a dramatic shift in how they interacted with their daughter, finding more peace and joy in their daily lives. In this podcast episode, they open up about their journey, sharing how they’ve been able to enjoy their family time again without the constant stress. Tune in to hear their story and find out how you, too, can take the first step toward change.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

108. Why You Don’t Need Lectures or Consequences to Teach Your Sensitive Child Not to Hit, Kick, or Say Unkind Things

When your child acts out—whether they’re hitting, kicking, or saying something unkind—it’s tempting to jump in with a lecture or consequence to “teach them a lesson.” But what if that approach is doing more harm than good? In this podcast episode, I’ll dive into why sensitive kids don’t respond well to traditional discipline and explore a more effective way to guide them through their big emotions. Ready to shift your mindset and try something different? Tune in and learn how to help your child grow without the guilt or shame!

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

Parenting Reflections: How I Navigated a Tough Dinner Meltdown with My Sensitive Child (and Still Managed to Have a Good Time!)

In this podcast episode, I open up about a recent night out with my kids that didn’t go quite as planned. With a long day behind us, my 3.5-year-old struggled during a late dinner outing, and things got tough. I’ll share how we navigated the situation, found ways to stay calm, and worked through the meltdowns. Tune in to hear how shifting my mindset made all the difference and how you can approach tough public moments with your sensitive child.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

107. 5 Ways to NOT Raise An Entitled Kid (& How to Build REAL Resilience in Your Sensitive Child Instead!)

This podcast episode dives into the challenge of raising resilient, emotionally aware kids without falling into the trap of entitlement. With a shift in modern parenting, it’s important to distinguish between allowing kids to express their emotions and fostering entitlement. Tune in for 5 practical tips on how to strike the right balance and help your sensitive child grow into a confident, resilient individual without losing touch with their emotions.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

Parenting Reflections: What My 7-Year-Old’s Insights After a Tough Soccer Practice Reminds Us About Building Confidence in Sensitive Kids

In this podcast episode, I dive into an unexpected moment at my son’s soccer practice that sparked a meaningful conversation about positive parenting. After an interaction with a stand-in coach, we discussed what it means to guide kids with empathy and support, helping them feel heard and validated. Tune in as I share insights on how these small moments can shape the way we nurture our children’s confidence and self-compassion.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

106. 3 Tips for Smoother School Drop-Offs with Your Sensitive Child (Hint: It All Starts With the Right Mindset!)

School drop-offs can be challenging for sensitive kids, but with the right approach, they can become smoother and less stressful. In this podcast episode, you’ll learn three practical tips to help your child feel more comfortable when it's time to say goodbye, while also keeping your own energy calm and confident. These strategies will help ease the transition and set your child up for a better start to their day.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

Parenting Reflections: A Typical Day Parenting My 3 Sensitive Kids – a BTS Look at What Actually Matters (& Where You Can Save Your Energy!)

In this podcast episode, I’m giving you a peek into my day from start to finish, showing how I balance life, work, and parenthood without the pressure to constantly entertain my kids. Instead of focusing on hours of play, I’ve found that small, intentional moments of connection make the biggest impact. Tune in to hear how prioritizing quality over quantity has transformed the way I connect with my kids, and why you don’t need to spend every waking hour playing to build strong bonds.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

105. How to Communicate Effectively with Your Sensitive Child's Teacher for a Successful School Year with Jess Hammond -- Part 2

In this podcast episode, we conclude our conversation with a seasoned teacher, diving into key topics like fostering independence in schoolwork, navigating homework challenges, and identifying when a child may need extra support, like evaluations or distinct plans. This episode offers valuable insights and practical tips to help you support your child’s academic journey. Don’t miss out on these essential takeaways!

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

Parenting Reflections: How I Built Kindergarten Readiness in my Sensitive Kids (Hint: It Wasn't Through Flashcards or Letter Sounds!)

If you’re constantly battling with your kids over academic time at home, it might be time to rethink your approach. In this podcast episode, I dive into the idea that while some families thrive with extra learning at home, it’s also okay to let go of that pressure. For kids who resist, shifting the focus to connection and play might be the answer, fostering a healthier relationship and a more peaceful home environment. Tune in to hear how this choice transformed our daily dynamic and why it might be the change your family needs.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

104. How to Communicate Effectively with Your Sensitive Child's Teacher for a Successful School Year with Jess Hammond -- Part 1

This podcast episode dives into a candid conversation with a veteran teacher and parent who shares her 23 years of classroom experience and personal journey raising a child with ADHD. Discover practical advice on how to connect with your child’s teacher early in the school year, and gain insights into managing the unique challenges that come with parenting and educating sensitive children. This is the first half of a two-part series you won’t want to miss.

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Dr. Hilary Mandzik Dr. Hilary Mandzik

Parenting Reflections: Amanda’s Story: How She Stopped Her Sensitive Child's Aggressive Behaviors & Cultivated Actual Calm in Just 4 Weeks

In this podcast episode, Amanda, a Chaos to Connection program client, shares her transformative experience of learning to parent her highly sensitive child with more patience and understanding. She talks about the challenges she faced when her child’s emotions would spiral into hitting and outbursts and how this program provided her with the tools to not only help her child manage those big feelings but also to stay calm herself. This is a must-listen for anyone looking for practical insights on bringing more peace into their parenting journey.

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