Because parenting a child who needs more
… often asks more of you, too.
Parenting a child who needs more can feel like it’s asking too much of you — before the day has even started. Some days, it’s everything you’ve got just to keep showing up.
Some kids just need more.
More time.
More patience.
More of you — emotionally, mentally, physically.
And not because anything is “wrong” with them.
But because their needs run deeper, louder, or less predictably than what’s considered “typical.”
If you’re parenting a child like this, you already know:
It’s not just about managing their big feelings.
It’s about managing your own — while trying to stay connected, steady, and present through it all.
And that’s no small thing.
The Invisible Work You’re Doing
You’re not just helping with routines and reminders.
You’re buffering sensory overload. Anticipating meltdowns. Holding space for emotions that hit like waves.
You’re decoding behavior when words fail.
You’re reading between the lines of “I hate you!” to hear, “I don’t feel safe right now.”
You’re regulating yourself so they can borrow your calm.
Even when you’re running on empty.
And most people have no idea.
Why It Feels So Exhausting
Because it is.
Not because you’re doing it wrong. Not because you’re too emotional or not resilient enough.
But because this kind of parenting asks you to be both the anchor and the safe harbor — often at the same time.
It’s the emotional labor, the hypervigilance, the decision fatigue.
It’s knowing how much depends on you keeping it together — and the guilt that creeps in when you can’t.
What Helps When Parenting a Child Who Needs More
You don’t need a perfect routine or endless patience.
You just need a few touchpoints — small things that help you stay grounded in the moment.
Here are a few to try:
♥ Mantras or phrases that calm you instead of criticize you. Like: I can take one deep breath. That’s enough for right now.
♥ Gentle scripts to use in dysregulated moments like: I’m right here. This is hard, and you’re not alone.
♥ Simple tools to help shift the energy — like scent, movement, or connection rituals
And just as importantly:
♥ Reminders that you’re not alone.
That other parents are walking this same path, quietly, bravely, imperfectly.
Looking for Support That Feels Like a Deep Exhale?
I created a free 5-day voice note + email series for parents of kids who need more.
Each day offers a gentle message you can listen to in under 3 minutes — something grounding for the mornings that already feel like too much.
→ Get the free 5-day support series.
Daily voice notes + emails to help you feel steadier, one morning at a time.
And if you’re looking for words and tools to support those intense moments, I’ve created a downloadable guide that is filled with calming phrases and practical prompts to help you respond with connection (instead of reactivity).
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
You’re already doing so much — and it matters more than you know.
You’re not doing it wrong — this is just really hard.
This guide was made for parents like you, who are doing quiet, important work every day.
Wherever you are in this moment — tired, unsure, holding it all — I hope you know this: you’re not alone.
You’re showing up in ways that matter deeply, even if no one else sees it. Keep going, gently.
If you’re parenting a child who needs more, I hope this reminded you: what you’re doing matters. And you don’t have to do it perfectly to make a difference.
