Let's Help Your Sensitive Child Handle Daily Transitions

Author

Jill Gilbert
May 15, 2025

Raising Highly Sensitive Kids. No Filter.

Hey there, Mama!

The other day I was thinking about a conversation I had with Alane Freund, a longtime expert on highly sensitive people/children who studied under Dr. Elaine Aron—the pioneering psychologist who coined the term ‘Highly Sensitive Person’ and quite literally wrote the book on it. I asked her, “What’s one thing you see in every highly sensitive child you’ve worked with?” Without hesitation, she said, “Transitions. They all struggle with transitions.”

And I don’t know about you, but for the longest time I couldn’t figure out why Brody would act like I’d just canceled Christmas every time I asked him to pause a game or get in the car. So when Alane said that, it was like—ohhhhhh. Lightbulb moment. Suddenly, all those meltdowns made so much more sense.

So this week, we’re pulling together tools, tips, and sanity-saving strategies to help you and your child move through transitions with less resistance (and fewer tears).

In this issue:

  • ✨ Why leaving the house (or the park or the bathtub) feels like a battle—and how to make transitions smoother

  • 🧠 The visual tool and kid-friendly app that make “what’s next” less overwhelming

  • 🎧 The podcast episode that hits all the big feelings around identity, motherhood, and raising high-needs kids (it’s a must-listen)

Jill

HSC MAMA, FOUNDER & CEO

P.S. If you’ve been with us for a bit, you might remember the Heads-Up Habit we introduced—it’s our go-to trick for easing the pain of transitions. It’s simple, it’s kind, and honestly, it’s been a total game changer in our house. If you missed it (or want a refresher), you can check it out here.

🔮 WHAT YOU NEED MOST RIGHT NOW

Why Leaving the House (or the Park or the Bathtub) Feels Like a Battle

You say it’s time to go, and suddenly your child is on the floor, sobbing like you just canceled their birthday.

Sound familiar?

That’s a transition. And for highly sensitive kids, it’s not just an annoying part of the day—it’s a full-body, emotional experience. The shift from one thing to the next can feel abrupt, confusing, and even physically overwhelming. It’s not stubbornness. It’s their nervous system saying, “This is too much, too fast.”

In this week’s blog post, we’re diving into why transitions hit so hard for sensitive kids—and how to make them easier. You’ll get practical strategies and tools to help your child move through change with a little less chaos and a lot more calm.

💞 You’re not alone if…. you brace yourself for impact the minute you say, “Time to get ready for bed."

🔧 HSC MOM HACK OF THE WEEK

Sometimes the trouble with transitions stems from the fact that children often have different time perception than adults. Like when we say “5 more minutes” and they have absolutely no sense of what five minutes actually means.

Here are two game-changing tools that can make transitions feel doable:

P.S. We’ve shared this before but it’s worth shouting out again because it’s just perfect for helping sensitive kids with transitions.

🎯 The Visual Timer That Speaks Their Language

We love this rainbow-colored visual timer because it does what words and warnings often can’t. It shows your child how much time is left in a way they can actually understand. No abstract countdowns. Just a clear visual cue that makes the transition feel less like a surprise attack and more like a process they can prepare for. Plus, it’s cute, durable, and kid-friendly enough to use without a learning curve.

📱 Lil Planner: The Cutest App for What’s Next

If your child asks “What are we doing after this?” 400 times a day, Lil Planner might just be your new best friend. This free, colorful app lets you build a daily visual schedule that your child can see, follow, and even check off. It has a built-in timer, adorable animations (seriously—your kid will want to complete tasks just to see the celebration), and helps kids feel more in control of their day. Because sometimes, just knowing what’s coming next is the magic that prevents a meltdown.

☕ Sip & Support: While "A Cuppa Momsense" is our gift to you, some product links may be affiliates. If you treat yourself, we might get a little something too – at no extra cost to you. It's how we keep the coffee flowing! 💖

🎧 WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO

The Podcast Episode That Made Me Say “Exactly!” About 17 times

I was listening to Dr. Becky’s podcast yesterday—(we’re big fans of Dr. Becky around here, and if you’re not familiar yet, you should definitely check out her videos on instagram)—and her latest episode “More Than Someone’s Mom” with Ashley Audrain stopped me in my tracks.

I mean… whew. It hit all the things we don’t always say out loud.

The grief of realizing motherhood doesn’t feel like what you thought it would.

The way your identity gets steamrolled the second “Mom” becomes your full-time title.

The guilt around self-care—and the difficulty of reclaiming what actually lights you up.

It was raw, honest, and honestly kind of healing. They both just get it. If you’ve ever felt like everyone around you just doesn't understand your experience with motherhood, this one’s a must-listen.

🥰 Could this newsletter help a mom you know?

If you know a mom who needs a little more calm and a lot more support, click the button below and grab your unique referral link to share with friends through text, email…or however you communicate. Plus, get you’ll get a special reward after 5 referrals!

Until next week, sip slowly & savor the calm ☕️