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Kary Hess's avatar

So sweet! And so true. I eventually noticed that when my son was a baby and even toddler it was accepted that sensitive mom was ideal, (mostly)but then at literally age three people would begin to tell me “you have to let go sometime” (do I?) and “He needs to be independent from you” (does he?) I didn’t listen and continued with our bond and now at age 15 he is naturally independent and capable AND we can still communicate and have a bond. That said, there’s a difference between doing everything for your kids and being there for them. And it becomes confused in our culture, possibly because this sensitivity is seen as a flaw except in mothers of very young children. That sensitivity will show you to support them where you see they need it and to see them for who they are more as they change. You won’t need to do everything for them because you will trust them. And they will trust that you are always there giving them the confidence to become who they are.

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Brenna Czornoba's avatar

This is the most resonate article on parenting I have ever read. I am highly sensitive and it can be so f-ing hard in our culture and coparenting with my partner who completely lacks understanding of this characteristic. I feel so hyper attuned to my son’s needs (he’s 2) and at the same time I feel like I’m failing at all times. How do you relieve the guilt that comes with being an HSP mother in a society of comparison and when we are not necessarily surrounded by people who understand the value and challenges of being an HSP?

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