I see you juggling your little one on your hip while you wait in line at your local coffee shop. No matter what you do, your baby won’t stop wailing, those angry red spots starting to emerge just beneath his eyes. I can see you casting apologetic glances around the room, silently hoping everyone understands that your baby is just having one of those moments. You’re giving it your all, even if it might not seem that way to onlookers. It’s incredibly tough—so tough. No matter your efforts, he keeps crying, and often, you find yourself in tears too, feeling utterly worn out and defeated.
You want to leave, but that cup of coffee feels like a lifeline.
Fast forward a few years, and there you are again, wrestling with your toddler as you try to buckle him into his car seat. When he’s upset, he absolutely refuses to sit still. That tiny 25-pound body turns into a powerhouse, escaping the restraints like a little wrestler. You’ve tried everything—bribing him with his favorite iPad game, promising a trip to the park, even offering those last few chocolate kisses hidden in your purse. But no, he’s too lost in his emotions to comply.
I see you pressing him down into the seat, tears welling in your eyes. It’s the same look I noticed years ago when he was a baby. That look filled with questions: “Who is this person with the smallest frame but the most intense spirit? Did I somehow contribute to this? Is this just who he is destined to be? And why?”
Years pass, and I witness you again, guiding him home after school. The sound of his backpack thudding to the floor is soon followed by the crash of his body as he collapses in tears, fists pounding the ground. You softly offer him a snack, knowing he’s hungry, trying to reason with him in any way you can.
But when he spirals into that emotional storm, there’s seemingly no escape for a while. So, you sit with him in that small room, watching as his sobs wrack his little body, those familiar red spots reappearing under his eyes and even on his cheeks.
I can hear the thoughts racing through your mind: “Shouldn’t 7-year-olds be past this kind of breakdown? Is my child the only one who experiences these after-school meltdowns? When will this end?”
Oh, mama, it’s so challenging, isn’t it?
I want you to know you are seen. You are the mother of a challenging child, a sensitive soul who has always been this way. From the start, yours was the high-needs baby—the one who clung to you, cried constantly, and couldn’t be set down. Yours was the toddler whose tantrums were legendary, the one who couldn’t be redirected or distracted with a fun promise. Punishments? Time-outs? They didn’t work for your child, not like they did for others.
Nothing seemed to help. Because when your child feels emotions, they feel them deeply and cannot simply be distracted away from them. This remains true even as they grow older—your child is not like the rest. They don’t hold back or sugarcoat things. This is simply who your child is.
But let me tell you, I see the brighter side of this too. I see a child capable of loving fiercely, whose passions are rich and genuine. This is a child who excels in creativity, using their sensitivities to latch onto ideas and run with them. They are determined and dedicated to whatever they pursue.
With you, this child may be a handful and probably always will be. With you, they can express their true selves because you are their safe haven. They will always have those deep emotions—those overwhelming feelings that may surface at the most inconvenient times.
When you’re in the thick of it with your child, it can be tough to see beyond the chaos of the moment. It’s challenging to look past the emotional outburst they’re experiencing. Sadly, we live in a world that often dismisses BIG FEELINGS.
But remember this: some of us simply become engulfed by our emotions and won’t hold back. (A little reminder: many sensitive adults were once kids who drove their parents to the brink).
So hang in there, mama. I see you, I am you. And I understand that child who tests your limits—the one you worry will never fit in, who might struggle to find their place in the world. But that’s not the reality. Before you know it, your child will blossom into something magnificent. I can’t predict exactly what that will be, but I know it will be extraordinary.
So, hang in there, gather all the patience you have, and trust that you are nurturing an incredible child—a true gift to this world. For more insights, you might find this blog post on nurturing sensitive children helpful, as well as resources available at News Medical that can guide you through pregnancy and home insemination. If you’re considering at-home options, check out Make a Mom for quality insemination kits.
Summary
Parenting a challenging child can be overwhelming and exhausting. These children, often sensitive and intense, require a different kind of understanding and support. They may not fit the mold, but their unique qualities will shine through, leading to a bright future. Remember to stay patient, trust the process, and cherish the beautiful soul you are nurturing.