Ever been told you're "too sensitive" or wondered why parenting feels so overwhelming? You might be among the 20-30% of people born with the highly sensitive person (HSP) trait. In this illuminating conversation with Lisa Lewis, licensed therapist and holistic practitioner, we unpack what it means to parent as an HSP—and possibly raise HSP children.

Lisa introduces us to Dr. Elaine Aaron's DOES framework, which helps explain why highly sensitive people process deeply, become easily overstimulated, demonstrate strong empathy, and notice subtleties others miss. We explore how these traits shape our parenting approach, often leading to perfectionism and exhaustion as we absorb not just our own emotions but everyone else's too.

The perfectionist tendencies many HSPs develop often begin in childhood—HSP children instinctively try to make everything "perfect" when they sense tension or conflict, sacrificing their own emotional expression in the process. As parents, we might recreate these patterns, striving for perfect environments and experiences for our children while depleting ourselves.

What makes this episode truly transformative are the practical energy management techniques shared. From visualizing protective boundaries with "this is me and that is you" mantras to teaching even young children how to protect their energy with simple visualizations, these tools offer immediate relief for overwhelmed HSP parents. The qigong practice of "shaking it off"—similar to how animals naturally reset their nervous systems after stress—provides another accessible way to release absorbed tension.

Ready to transform your sensitivity from a burden into your parenting superpower? This conversation offers compassion, validation, and practical wisdom for the highly sensitive parent's journey. Your sensitivity isn't a weakness—it's a gift that, when properly managed, allows you to parent with extraordinary insight and connection.

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**Please remember that the information shared on this podcast is educational in nature and does not constitute licensed mental health advice. If you need such advice, you should speak with a licensed professional about your unique situation. Thanks so much happy listeners.

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