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In the 25+ years Janet Lansbury has worked with children and parents, she's learned a lot. She's here to share it with you. Each episode of Unruffled addresses a reader's parenting issue through the lens of Janet's respectful parenting approach, consistently offering a perspective shift that ultimately frees parents of the need for scripts, strategies, tricks, and tactics. Janet is a parenting author and consultant whose website (JanetLansbury.com) is visited by millions of readers annually. ...
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Are you tired of feeling like you’re always at your wit's end, especially when it comes to yelling at your kids? You’re not alone. Motherhood can be overwhelming, especially when your preteen seems to push every button and you just can’t seem to get through to them without losing your temper. This podcast is for moms who are juggling work, family, and everything in between, and are ready to stop yelling and start connecting with their kids in a more peaceful way. We’ll take you on a journey ...
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I'm not a supermom. But I always wanted to be one and have it all: family, career/business that I love, AND the time for myself. But that ambition without proper stress resistance and resilience killed my mom (cancer at 48) and drove me to the edge of burnout twice. Only when I saw the disastrous effects of my anger, stress, and resentment on my little daughter, I knew I had to change... Since then, not only have I healed but I also helped thousands of other women all around the world throug ...
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Raised Resilient: Help Your Highly Sensitive Child

Dr. Hilary Mandzik - Psychologist

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Parenting is the hardest job ever – and parenting a highly sensitive child who’s struggling can feel downright impossible. If you’re suffering through endless meltdowns, walking on eggshells to avoid your child’s huge emotions, and losing sleep worrying that you’re failing your child, you’ve landed in the right place. I’m Dr. Hilary Mandzik – clinical psychologist, parenting specialist, and mom of 3. And I’m here to help you feel GOOD about parenting your highly sensitive child. Join me each ...
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Loryn Brantz is an Emmy-winning author, illustrator, and mom of two, who once built puppets for Sesame Street. Loryn joined Janet on a previous episode of "Unruffled" to talk about parenting a child with disabilities, sharing the joys and challenges of her journey with honesty and her signature warmth and wit. Her new book "Poems of Parenting" is a…
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Have you ever told yourself, “I’m not going to yell today,” but then lost your cool before breakfast even ended? You’re not broken. Your brain is just doing what it thinks is best. Your brain is built to keep you safe. It tries to avoid hard stuff, find comfort, and save energy. That’s great when you’re in real danger; but not so helpful when your …
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In this encore episode, Janet’s guest is Dr. William Stixrud, a clinical neuropsychologist and co-author of "The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives." Bill Stixrud's decades of experience counseling children and their parents have led to conclusions that complement and support Janet's own paren…
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Ever wonder what happens in that tiny moment between your preteen slamming a door or rolling their eyes—and you reacting? That split second feels intense, like your heart is racing and your chest is tight. And believe it or not, what happens in that moment can change everything, how you feel, how your child responds, and what your relationship look…
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Have you ever been lying in bed thinking, “Why do I always mess up?” or “Why can’t I be more patient?” That heavy feeling of guilt and shame doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It means you’re trying really hard to be perfect while your brain is just doing what it’s built to do. Here’s the truth: Your brain is wired to notice the bad stuff mo…
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You know your child’s emotions aren’t something to fix—but in those overwhelming moments, it’s easy to fall into sneaky habits that quietly send the message, “Let’s make this feeling go away.” Especially with highly sensitive kids, the urge to soothe or solve can show up even when you’re trying your best to hold space. In this episode, we’re unpack…
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Respectful, effective discipline can be challenging for us to learn, and experience is our best teacher! With that in mind, Janet shares several encouraging success stories from parents who faced frustrating or infuriating, sometimes alarming challenges with their kids. Subjects include disobedience, bedtime struggles, tantrums, aggressiveness, hit…
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Co-regulation with highly sensitive kids is powerful—but it can get really messy. In this episode, we’re talking about what it looks like to stay grounded when your child is overwhelmed, pushing you away, and drowning in big emotions. I’m sharing a personal story from a recent parenting moment that reminded me how connection often starts in the mes…
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Send us a text Her ex-husband asked for 50-50 custody of their toddler son. And out of the desperation, afraid of staying all alone and abandoned, she bought a puppy for Christmas... Which turned out to be as much work as if she got a second child. While now she had to function as a single parent. That was Barbara's recipe for uncontrollable "rage …
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When a family member is struggling—or no longer part of the picture—it can be hard to know how (or if) to talk about it with your child. But with highly sensitive kids who notice everything, silence often feels heavier than the truth. In this episode, we’re exploring how to gently and honestly talk about tough family dynamics in a way that feels su…
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There's nothing unusual about a child screaming, but sometimes it can become a go-to response to any situation. Janet responds to a parent who says her 3-year-old has become "stuck on screaming... She screams at her friends in the park, at my mom, at my dad, at my husband, at strangers..." And because of this parent's childhood environment, her dau…
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Some parenting moments feel impossible—and in this episode, I’m sharing one of the hardest I’ve had in a long time. It was a perfect storm of exhaustion, overwhelm, and a tough transition for my oldest, who’s struggling with the shift to middle school. When a big emotional explosion hit right at dinnertime, I didn’t handle it perfectly—but what hap…
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Send us a text Lauren is a mom of a 3 yo son. She used to ask nicely several times, then exploded in yelling when he wouldn't listen or kept whining. When parenting strategies and counselling did not work, she asked for help and started the Zen Supermom program. What was her biggest aha moment that changed it all? What is she doing differently now …
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is one of those labels that can feel heavy and confusing—especially if you’re parenting a highly sensitive child who seems to check all the boxes. But what if the real issue isn’t defiance at all? In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really going on with kids who show ODD symptoms and why so many sensitive…
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Janet’s guest is Dr. Tina Payne Bryson. Her new book “The Way of Play” (co-authored with play therapist Georgie Wisen-Vincent) illustrates how playing with our kids in a receptive manner for even just a few minutes each day helps us to better understand them, while also encouraging their development of social skills, emotional regulation, resilienc…
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Have you ever told yourself, “I’m not going to yell at my kids today,” and then lost your cool before breakfast? You’re not the only one—and nothing is wrong with you. In this episode, we talk about why it’s so hard to stay calm sometimes. It has to do with how your brain is built. Your brain is always trying to protect you. It wants to avoid pain,…
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Kate was at her breaking point. As a single parent navigating co-parenting while carrying most of the parenting load, she felt completely overwhelmed—especially when her highly sensitive daughter was having 90-minute meltdowns every single day. Daycare pickup was a battle, and nothing she tried seemed to help. She knew something had to change, but …
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Send us a text If you've been reading tons of parenting books that sound great in theory but you just can't make it work for your kids... And they keep not listening, laughing in your face, and doing the wrong thing anyway... Then this Zen Supermom podcast episode is for you. How do you set consistent, healthy boundaries? What are natural consequen…
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You try so hard to stay calm, but somehow, the yelling keeps happening. You regret it, swear it won’t happen again—yet the next day, there it is. Sound familiar? The truth is, the real reason you’re yelling isn’t what you think. In this episode, we’re getting to the root of those big reactions. I’m breaking down the hidden “traps” that keep parents…
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Is it ever okay to say no to our child's requests for closeness or attention, to separate when that makes them upset? What if these requests are frequent, or even seem to evolve into a habit of unreasonable, seemingly over-the-top demands? In this episode Janet responds to two notes from parents who feel they may be in this predicament. One shares …
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That sting you feel when your preteen rolls their eyes or slams the door—it’s not just in your head. Your brain sees that moment as a real threat. Not because you’re overreacting, but because it’s wired to protect the connection between you and your child. A long time ago, if a child pulled away or got separated from a parent, it was dangerous. And…
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We all mess up as parents—it’s inevitable. No matter how much we read, learn, or try our best, perfect parenting doesn’t exist (trust me, I’ve checked!). But here’s the good news: there’s one simple yet powerful thing we can do that truly changes everything, no matter how big or small the mistake. In this episode, we’re talking about the most impor…
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Send us a text What do you do when none of these time management techniques and parenting scripts for busy parents work? And you keep rushing every morning, trying to be nice, but eventually you have to start yelling, to make it on time. Otherwise they keep being slow, ignoring you... How do you change that and start creating calm routines where yo…
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You’ve read all the parenting hacks, tried the scripts, and followed the expert advice—but somehow, things still aren’t clicking with your sensitive child. The meltdowns keep happening, the challenging behaviors don’t seem to change, and the connection you’re working so hard to build still feels shaky. So what’s missing? In this episode, we’re digg…
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Enrichment classes, lessons, sports, Sunday school, and community events like Library Story Time can benefit our kids in many ways, but what do we do if our kids won't cooperate or participate? What if they seem okay with it at first, but then later want to quit? The questions raised by a parent's letter in this podcast are common ones: If our chil…
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In this special 51st episode, you’ll hear a story that might make you see things in a whole new way—especially if you’ve ever felt stuck, even though you’ve been trying hard to be calmer with your kids. You’ll follow the journey of someone who chased a big dream and almost gave up right before it came true. After months of trying, and hearing “no” …
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Send us a text How did an expat mom of 2 and a workaholic business owner stop barking and blaming her kids for ruining her life, in less than 4 months? This is her story and she shares it very openly. How she used to explode at her kids. What was the cause of her anger, perfectionism, and judging others as weak was. How she turned it all around, in…
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Sometimes, the best conversations with our kids happen when we’re not asking direct questions—when we create space for them to open up on their own terms. Recently, I found the perfect low-pressure moment with my son, and what he shared with me was something I never would’ve gotten from a sit-down heart-to-heart. In this episode, I’m sharing how I’…
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Ever feel like you’re just getting through the days instead of actually living them? Like you’re running on fumes, reacting to every meltdown, and collapsing into bed without even remembering half of what happened? If so, you might be stuck in survival mode—and trust me, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into 3 sneaky, but ever-so-pre…
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Janet is joined by inner child healing expert Lavinia Brown, whose previous appearance on "Unruffled" prompted a listener to write in to describe how she's struggled to control her angry and physically punitive responses to her three-year-old son's behavior. Raised in an authoritarian household in which she was spanked whenever she disobeyed, this …
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Birthdays are pure magic—but if you have a highly sensitive kid, you know all that excitement has to come out somewhere. My daughter just had the best Frozen-themed party, playing with her cousins and soaking up every special moment. But then… bedtime hit. And one tiny thing (a blanket not laying just right) led to a full-on meltdown. In this episo…
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Send us a text I used to flip into a childish reaction whenever it was too much for me, my daughter didn't listen, we were running late, or she kept asking for more attention while I already gave her more than I ever got... So in these moments, when I've had enough, I just started yelling, making mean faces or comments, or even wished I could hurt …
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When your kid hits, it’s so easy to go straight to, “No hitting! Hitting is bad! We don’t do that!” But what if I told you that reaction might actually be making things worse? Yep, even though we’re trying to stop the behavior, we could be amplifying it without even realizing it. In this episode, we’re breaking down why kids hit, why they often alr…
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Certain behaviors our kids display can really wind us up. In this episode, Janet offers a solution to three common ones. First, tattling—when our kids seem to have the incessant need to tell on friends or siblings for every minor thing they do. As adults, we might label this person as a gossip and steer clear. As parents, we might fear it could eve…
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Have you ever felt so mad or frustrated as a mom that you didn’t know what to do? In this episode of Motherhood from the Brain, I share real stories and simple tips to help you handle those big emotions without losing your cool. We’ll talk about how your brain reacts to tough moments, and how understanding this can help you feel less frustrated and…
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Emily and her husband were stuck in a cycle of yelling and physical punishment—approaching parenting from completely different perspectives. She wanted a more connected approach, while he believed discipline meant spanking. It felt impossible to get on the same page, until they took a leap of faith: an 8-week commitment to no spanking. What happene…
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When your highly sensitive child starts using baby talk, it can throw you off. Is this a setback? Anxiety? Something bigger? In this episode, we’re digging into what’s really going on, why it can feel so triggering, and how to shift your perspective so you see it as a window into your child’s emotional needs—not something to “fix.” This topic comes…
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Our child's whining can be the most earsplitting sound imaginable and, unfortunately, our negative reactions to whining can tend to make matters worse. How do we make the whining stop? A parent writes to Janet that her 7-year-old is constantly whining, pouting, and repeatedly asking her mom for new stuff. "Instead of playing with the entire Toys R …
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Picture this: You’re sitting in a quiet room with your child, watching as their shoulders tense, their gaze drifts, or their frustration builds. The weight of these moments presses down on you, making you feel powerless, uncertain, maybe even alone. But what if, instead of resisting them, you leaned in? What if these very moments—though painful and…
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It was one of those mornings—the kind where sibling arguments escalate, patience runs thin, and you’re stuck in the moment with no easy way out. On a walk to school, tensions were high between my boys, and I’ll be honest—I didn’t handle it well at first. But then, I made an intentional shift, one that changed everything. And here’s the thing: these…
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Send us a text Happy childhood as a kid, not yelling that much as a mom but feeling anger whenever things are not going according to plan...And then taking it out on her husband. That's how Julia felt when we met. She called herself a perfectionist "control freak", and hyper-vigilant (insecure, lack of trust, afraid). And she had enough of it. So w…
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Parenting is more than just the obvious tasks—it’s also the invisible mental load that weighs us down. From remembering appointments to keeping track of snacks, homework, and emotions, it feels like there’s always something to manage. In this episode, I’m sharing how overwhelming this can be and how it often feels like we’re carrying it all in our …
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A parent writes to Janet that she's alarmed and heartbroken about the wedge that's developed between her and her 4-year-old son, "a very sweet, genuine, kind little person," due to his increasingly unkind, hurtful behavior. This mom feels she's tried everything and yet her son continues to hit, kick, pinch, scratch, and run away from her and her pa…
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Your preteen rolls their eyes when you remind them about homework. Your teen argues for just ten more minutes of screen time—again. Dishes pile up in the sink because no one bothered to clean up after themselves. And just like that, you feel it—the heat rising in your chest, the urge to yell bubbling up. PMS makes everything feel louder, harder, mo…
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Some nights just feel impossible—especially for our sensitive kids. After a long, busy day, my almost 4-year-old was completely unraveling. She was overtired, overwhelmed, and had just hurt herself in the car. Every little thing was setting her off, and no matter what I did, the tears kept coming. In this episode, I’m sharing how I held space for h…
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Send us a text How do you attract, create, or keep someone who loves you unconditionally? And do you give your kids the feeling that they are loved and lovable no matter what? So that they don't grow up being controlling, perfecting, hyper-achieving people-pleasers who feel like they need to earn your love? (Just like you probably did when you were…
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Gentle parenting is often imagined as staying calm, speaking softly, and always keeping our cool—but that version of it just doesn’t work for highly sensitive kids. In fact, if you’ve ever tried to white-knuckle your way through frustration, you know it doesn’t help. Sensitive kids pick up on everything, and when we suppress our emotions, it can ac…
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Elsa Chahin, President/CEO of Pikler/Loczy USA, has dedicated herself to carrying on the mission of visionary pediatrician and researcher Dr. Emmi Pikler, which is to promote "respectful and harmonious relationships between the youngest child and the adult." Like Janet, Elsa is also RIE Associate who studied under Pikler protege Magda Gerber. Elsa …
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You ever catch yourself yelling at your kid, even after swearing you wouldn’t? I’ve been there. No matter how many times you promise yourself, something just snaps. And honestly you're not alone. All the usual advice, like meal planning and strict schedules, doesn’t really help when what’s actually setting you off is something deeper. I talk about …
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We all have those moments—something small happens, and suddenly, we’re way more upset than we “should” be. For me, it was a dirty towel placed back in the clean pile, and I couldn’t shake the frustration. Even though I knew it wasn’t really about the towel, I felt stuck in my reaction, and it was pulling me away from the kind of parent I want to be…
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