98 Thinking Differently: When Your Child (or You) Feels Misunderstood

Kids with Big Emotions Podcast

Website: 🌐 www.andiclark.com

Support Circle Membership: https://andiclark.thrivecart.com/support-circle/

Have you ever watched your child and wondered why they see the world so differently? Maybe they ask deep questions, feel emotions intensely, or struggle to fit into the traditional mold. Or perhaps you’ve felt misunderstood yourself. In this episode, Andi dives into what it means to think differently, why it’s often misinterpreted, and how to embrace these differences as strengths.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a new perspective on deep thinkers, big feelers, and outside-the-box kids—and maybe even a deeper understanding of yourself. Instead of trying to "fix" these children, we can support them in stepping into their superpowers.

Key Takeaways

• Different doesn’t mean wrong – Children who think deeply, feel intensely, or question everything aren’t broken. They see the world uniquely, and that’s a gift.
• Society often misunderstands neurodiverse kids – Many kids are expected to fit into a one-size-fits-all mold, but movement, deep thinking, and curiosity shouldn’t be seen as problems.
• Your child’s challenges may be their superpowers – Struggles with focus, overthinking, or heightened sensitivity can turn into strengths when supported correctly.
• Reframing parenting approaches – Instead of asking, How do I get my child to stop doing this?, ask, How do I support my child’s strengths?
• Healing your own childhood experiences – Many parents grew up feeling misunderstood. Recognizing and healing from that can help in supporting your child more effectively.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00:00] Introduction: Why this topic is deeply personal for Andi and how it shaped her parenting journey.
• [00:02:00] The struggles of thinking differently: Why some kids don’t fit in and how that can make them feel isolated.
• [00:05:00] Movement and focus: Why some children need physical activity to think clearly.
• [00:08:00] The "silent but deadly" child: How quiet, deep thinkers process information in ways adults might miss.
• [00:11:00] Kids who anticipate everything: How children who overanalyze are often future planners and strategists.
• [00:14:00] Misinterpretations: When kids' natural tendencies are seen as problematic instead of valuable.
• [00:16:00] The discomfort of being different: How society reacts to kids who don’t fit into the norm.
• [00:22:00] Breaking generational cycles: Recognizing how your own experiences impact how you parent.
• [00:28:00] Suppressing vs. supporting: How kids lose confidence when they’re told to "tone it down."
• [00:31:00] Andi’s experience with neurodiverse entrepreneurs: A real-world example of thinking differently as a strength.
• [00:36:00] Actionable parenting strategies: How to support your child’s deep thinking, big emotions, and curiosity.
• [00:39:00] Final thoughts: Changing the narrative from fixing to understanding and embracing.

Resources Mentioned

• The Highly Sensitive Child by Dr. Elaine Aron – A must-read for parents of deeply feeling children. (https://hsperson.com/books/the-highly-sensitive-child/ )
• The Empath’s Survival Guide by Dr. Judith Orloff – Helpful for understanding emotional sensitivity in both parents and children. (https://drjudithorloff.com/empath-survival-guide-description/ )

Join the Conversation

If this episode resonated with you, send Andi a DM, join The Support Circle, or email her to share your thoughts. Parenting a child who thinks differently can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. Let's embrace these differences together!