Mentoring: The Missing Link for Highly Sensitive Children

If you want to go somewhere,
it is best to ask someone who has already been there.
Robert Kiyosaki

Getting a sensitive child to see a counselor oftentimes is like teaching a fish to walk. It’s not going happen. They may need some guidance but it’s got to come from someone who “gets them” and they connect with. One of my child clients, Quinn, at age nine refused to see a therapist but was excited to get a happiness coach, which is what they called me.

The truth is every sensitive child wants to be happier, but certainly none of them want to feel like something is wrong with them either. So that is where mentoring comes in. Mentoring is the 21st century answer for sensitive kids to learn how to build skills (emotional, social, and mental) and boost self-confidence so they can navigate this not-so sensitive world.

Specifically, I have my top 5 list for why sensitive children need a mentor (formal or informal). They are:

• Sensitivity doesn’t magically transform from a liability to an asset
• Mentoring boosts a child’s self-confidence
• Emotional and social awareness are equally if not more important than academic achievement for life success
• Sensitive kids want to learn how to be successful
• Being sensitive has its incredible gifts but you don’t see them unless someone else helps you along

Connecting your child to the right mentor is important. Of course, this person must not only be sensitive but also successful as a sensitive person in this sometimes not-so sensitive world. In my mentoring program, I am fortunate to work with parents and their sensitive kids globally since today’s technology makes that easy. So my recommendation is to not limit yourself by geography but genuinely look for the right person to help your son or daughter turn their struggle with sensitivity into a true strength.

Maureen D. Healy is an award-winning author, speaker and healer helping highly sensitive kids thrive. She’s appeared on AOL’s “The Fatherhood Project” with Hank Azaria and worked with top companies like Crayola to help them better understand today’s highly sensitive children. More info: www.highlysensitivekids.com or @mdhealy

(c) 2015 by Maureen Dawn Healy. Reprint with permission only.