Parenting outside the norms of the mainstream is both more challenging and a greater gift. If you were one of those kids (and if you are highly sensitive, you were) come and reframe your childhood. Boys are different in general, and when they are young, according to research, mainstream society does not particularly honor their needs, especially at school. Add high sensitivity and things become even more outside the norms. That's why these boys often get lost. Girl parents and women, you are impacted as well.

These are some of the questions that was discussed during the masterclass:

• My highly sensitive seven year-old son feels so deeply and yet doesn't really like to talk about it. How can I support him through the transition of a teacher leaving his school? What special back to school hacks do you have for our sons (and daughters, too)?
• I worry about my 9 y.o. sensitive son - the self-hatred is so difficult to hear as a mom - sometimes I worry about how that might come out later on, whether in a violent outburst or self-harm. I also worry about how this will play out in his romantic relationships down the road (going through breakups, etc.)
• My son cries whenever he doesn't get his way or when there is something he is expecting and it doesn't turn out the way he expected. I often want to tell him to toughen up (*be more masculine) and stop crying all the time for every reason. It’s difficult for me to discern if he's crying because he’s highly sensitive or crying because he’s not getting his way. How do I approach this situation instead of just telling him to toughen up?
• As a highly sensitive parent of a highly sensitive seven year-old boy, I am often overwhelmed by all the questions asked about everything! How can I encourage his curiosity but respectfully ask for a break without hurting his feelings?
• My highly sensitive nine year-old daughter refuses to wear so much of her clothing. It's all either too tight or just doesn't feel right. How can I support her in finding things that work when I do not have lots of time to shop?
• My young adult, college-aged, highly sensitive son has many sensory sensitivities that compete with his deep desire to connect and be in the world. His junior year, he figured out his best housing arrangement: a single room INSIDE an apartment with 2 others. During the day, he's able to manage his sensory sensitivities by going to the library, putting on earphones, etc. Nights are the most challenging due to sound sensitivity even when he is not overwhelmed and has stress well-managed. He’s woken up by people doing the usual morning or night time activities (showering, eating, etc.). Is there a way to widen his window of tolerance of sensory stimuli?
• I’d love any advice you have for supporting an HSP teenage son with competitive sports. My son is pretty athletic, has a natural ability at many sports and just loves sport in general. However as he’s got older (now 16) he’s become increasingly anxious about his performance and is hypersensitive to any negative comments (which teenage boys seem to throw around mercilessly). He also struggles with positive feedback from coaches as he then expects perfection from himself. It’s led to him withdrawing from a sport he loves (cricket) which I feel very sad about as I’ve seen the joy and confidence boost he gets from it when it’s going well. It’s also helped him make connections and form friendships which he doesn’t find easy as he’s socially anxious.
• Is there any relationship between being an HSP and blushing? I remember blushing a lot (and hating it as it often drew more attention or comment) when feeling self-conscious or embarrassed when I was younger. I notice both my HSP teenagers doing it socially now too and wondered how I can help.

Bring your experience, strength, and hope because I bet you also have some good advice and support for the parents of our community.