Are you a highly sensitive parent? Or similarly, are you currently parenting sensitive children? What are some things that every highly sensitive parent should know to help them remain calm, in touch, and in tune with themselves and their families?
In this podcast episode, Lisa Lewis speaks about embracing sensitivity and navigating parenthood with insights, challenges, and joys with Ryann Watkin.
Meet Ryann Watkin
Ryann Watkin is a passionate speaker, mom, wife, and educator. After her experience with postpartum depression, her road to recovery opened doors for self-exploration — she began wondering if there was a better way to live, parent, and be in this world.
This led her to find alternative education for her three children, pursue passion projects, and become more aligned with nature.
Listen to Ryann’s show, Raising Wild Hearts, and connect on Instagram and LinkedIn.
IN THIS PODCAST:
- Going through postpartum depression
- Parenting while being an HSP
- Parenting highly sensitive kids
- Ryann’s advice for listeners
Going through postpartum depression
While Ryann was going through the birth of her first daughter, she had a wonderful team that assisted her.
She had a doula who explained to her that sometimes postpartum depression can look like not wanting to shower, get up and get into the day, or no longer enjoying the activities that you used to.
However, for Ryann, the postpartum depression that she experienced showed up as anxiety.
Ryann felt scared, and anxious, and didn’t sleep at all. She had thought that she would be able to handle it since she had experience with child care before, but it was beyond her expectations.
When expectations met reality, about six months into my parenthood journey, I had basically what physicians would call a panic attack … All I could think was, “I’m going to die.”
Ryann Watkin
After years of therapy, reflection, books, and self-discovery, Ryann came to realize that the anxiety that she felt around motherhood was simply her past traumas, experiences, and beliefs that had been brought up by this change in her life.
Parenting while being an HSP
While becoming a mother, Ryann began reading to learn more about how to be a good parent while bringing in her natural strengths as a highly sensitive person.
As soon as I read it, as soon as it came across my field of awareness, I said, “That’s it! That’s me!” And it felt so good to have this answer … Now that I’m able to frame it as a gift, I know what to do to protect my energy.
Ryann Watkin
Ryann made an effort to learn about herself, and what she needs. This information helps her to be a great mom, partner, and person. Now, she knows what she needs to show up for those around her.
Now, she can advocate for her needs as a highly sensitive person and build structures around it in her routine so that she can continuously be there for her family without becoming resentful or overstimulated.
Just having this meditative practice of noticing when there is silence, even if it’s just for a second or two in between the [kids] … It’s been really helpful for me … Sometimes I just need to sit down on the ground and feel the weight of my body on the ground, lay down … And really breathe into; “I’m here, I’m safe, I’m in my body, and all is well.”
Ryann Watkin
Parenting highly sensitive kids
Ryann has three kids, and her one child has highly sensitive traits. Ryann teaches her child that her sensitivity is like a superpower.
The manifestation of high sensitivity in kids can look negative if you don’t know what it is.
I really have to remember for myself that this is not my child purposely defying me, 9 times out of 10 [because] this is her having a system overload. It’s really interesting, because this child and I are really energetically connected.
Ryann Watkin
Highly sensitive parents who have highly sensitive children can connect on a deep level since they perceive and experience the world in a more profound way than most people around them.
As such, boundaries are necessary so that there isn’t too much overlap between them to curve any potentially maladaptive codependency.
Ryann’s advice for listeners
Find something that brings you awareness, knowledge, wisdom, and peace. Immerse yourself in books, music, podcasts, or other materials where people share their insights and you are taught how to appreciate and live life on a deeper, more connected level.
RESOURCES MENTIONED AND USEFUL LINKS
Listen to Ryann’s show, Raising Wild Hearts, and connect on Instagram and LinkedIn.
BOOK | Erling Kagge – Silence: In the Age of Noise
BOOK | Leo F. F. Buscaglia – Personhood: The Art of Being Fully Human
Find Out More About Sensitive in Nature
Practice of the Practice Network
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CONNECT WITH ME
Email me: lisa@amiokpodcast.com
ABOUT THE SENSITIVE IN NATURE PODCAST
So you’ve been told that you’re “too sensitive” and perhaps you replay situations in your head. Wondering if you said something wrong? You’re like a sponge, taking in every word, reading all situations. Internalizing different energies, but you’re not sure what to do with all of this information. You’re also not the only one asking yourself, “am I ok?” Lisa Lewis is here to tell you, “It’s totally ok to feel this way.”
Join Lisa, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as she hosts her, Am I Ok? Podcast. With over 20 years of education, training, and life experience, she specializes in helping individuals with issues related to being an empath and a highly sensitive person.
Society, and possibly your own experiences, may have turned your thinking of yourself as being a highly sensitive person into something negative. Yet, in reality, it is something that you can – and should – take ownership of. It’s the sixth sense to fully embrace, which you can harness to make positive changes in your life and in the lives of others.
This may all sound somewhat abstract, but on the Am I Ok? Podcast, Lisa shares practical tips and advice you can easily apply to your own life. Lisa has worked with adults from various backgrounds and different kinds of empaths, and she’s excited to help you better connect with yourself. Are you ready to start your journey?