Have you ever felt like you were supposed to have all the answers as a parent, only to realize your children have plans of their own? That’s exactly where Carrie Lingenfelter found herself, despite her background as a teacher and speech therapist. In this raw, honest conversation, Carrie opens up about her journey from perfectionist parenting to embracing the beautiful, unpredictable mess of raising gifted, spirited, and highly sensitive children. She recounts a pivotal moment—bouncing on a ball in the closet, trying to get her son on a sleep schedule—when it hit her: "He’s going to tell me when he wants to sleep. I don’t need to be in control of this."Together, we explore what true connection looks like, especially in the messy moments of dysregulation and emotional storms. Carrie offers grounded tools for preserving your energy while being present, including her family’s “special playtime” ritual that brings intentional connection, even on chaotic days. Perhaps most powerfully, we talk about witnessing your child’s pain without rushing to fix it. For highly sensitive parents raising highly sensitive kids, this is no small feat.
Yet as Carrie gently reminds us: "Learning these pieces now is so beneficial for when they’re 40 years old."Whether you’re raising neurodiverse children or simply seeking a more conscious path through parenthood, this conversation offers a blend of soulful perspective and tangible strategy. Carrie’s words remind us: "You are right where you’re supposed to be right now."Tune in and take a breath—you’re not alone. And you’re doing better than you think.
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