64. Preparing to Gather  through a Sensory Emotional Lens

About this episode

This episode provides practical tools for families to navigate the holiday season with sensory-emotional kids, focusing on connection and emotional regulation.

As we head into the holiday season, many families look forward to connection, tradition, and togetherness — but for sensory-emotional kids (and the adults who love them), this time can also bring overwhelm, unpredictability, and big feelings. In today’s episode, we’re sharing practical tools to help your family enjoy Thanksgiving rather than simply get through it. We’ll explore perspective shifts, whole-family strategies, and support tailored to each Sensory Emotional Personality (SEP) within the Sensory Emotional Engagement Frame of Reference developed by Michele Parkins. Whether you’re hosting, traveling, navigating big feelings, or supporting a child who experiences the world differently, this episode offers grounding, compassionate guidance for a more regulated and connected holiday. In this episode, you’ll discover: How a simple daily practice of sharing hopes, worries, and anticipated events builds safety, alignment, and emotional connection — especially during unpredictable holiday routines. Why modeling apologies, practicing accountability, and using AnnMarie’s family “reset button” can reduce shame and support co-regulation when miscommunications or big feelings happen…

People in this episode

Host: AnnMarie Murphy

Topics covered

• sensory-emotional kids
• Thanksgiving
• family strategies
• emotional connection
• holiday routines
• co-regulation

Keywords

• sensory emotional
• Thanksgiving tips
• family connection
• emotional regulation
• holiday overwhelm
• big feelings

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