Big Feelings in Little Bodies

About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges of parenting highly sensitive children and offers insights from clinical psychologist Jacquie Ward.

Big feelings in little bodies can feel huge for parents too – especially when you’ve got a child who’s extra sensitive, struggles with drop-offs or seems to fall apart the second they’re back in your arms. In this episode of Things Nobody Tells You, Emmy sits down with clinical psychologist and mum of three, Jacquie Ward, to unpack what’s really going on for our highly sensitive kids – and why it’s not about “bad behaviour” or you doing it wrong. They chat about why sensitivity is a biological trait (not a parenting fail), what’s normal clinginess versus separation anxiety, and how to think differently about tantrums, meltdowns and those impossible transitions out the door. Jacquie also shares how our own nervous system, stress levels and upbringing shape the way we respond to our kids, and why getting support for you can be just as powerful as a strategy for them. This is a grounded, honest conversation for any parent who’s ever wondered, “Is this normal… or is it just us?”

People in this episode

Host: Emmy

Guest: Jacquie Ward

Topics covered

• sensitivity
• parenting
• child behavior
• mental health
• emotional regulation

Keywords

• sensitive children
• parenting strategies
• tantrums
• separation anxiety
• emotional support

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Things Nobody Tells You, Kiindred

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