All Things Sensory by Harkla #403 - Reacting to Parenting Advice I Hear All the Time (Through a Sensory Lens)
There are a few phrases I hear over and over again from parents, usually right after they’ve tried everything and nothing worked. If you’ve ever been told things like “they just need more discipline” or “they’ll grow out of it,” this episode is for you.
In this episode, I share my perspective as a certified occupational therapy assistant and primitive reflex clinical specialist, reacting to common parenting advice I hear all the time. This isn’t about calling that advice wrong. It’s about understanding what might be missing when we don’t consider a child’s sensory system and nervous system.
I’ll walk through familiar phrases like “ignore it and it’ll stop,” “they just need to get used to it,” and “all kids need the same routines,” and explain why these approaches can sometimes fall short. I share how behavior is often rooted in regulation, how sensory needs shape a child’s response to everyday situations, and why the same strategy can work for one child and completely backfire for another.
Throughout the episode, you’ll hear practical reframes that help shift from reacting to behavior to understanding what the nervous system actually needs. I also share how I filter parenting advice as a COTA, including the questions I ask before recommending any strategy and why trusting what you’re seeing in your own child matters more than following one-size-fits-all advice.
This conversation is a reminder that most parenting advice isn’t wrong, it’s just incomplete. When you start looking at your child through a sensory lens, things begin to make a lot more sense.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode made you feel a little more confident in trusting your instincts, share it with someone who’s been second-guessing their parenting lately.
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