I read that book the Highly Sensitive Child and it describes my dd pretty well. It frustrates me that we are very frequently attending to her needs (well, they feel like needs to her) - her socks are uncomfortable, her jumper is itchy, she’s had a busy day so now she’s having meltdowns, she’s too hot, her bed is uncomfortable, she can feel a pea under her mattress (that last one is made up but it is like the princess and the pea sometimes).
We try not to indulge her and we also encourage her not to dwell on certain things and to not let things bother her , while at the same time trying to be calm and patient with her because she has such huge emotions I think she needs that modelled to her (the calm reaction to huge emotions). But yeah I don’t want it to feel like our family life revolves around her endless needs/wants or that she’s a spoiled princess who wants everything to be “just so” all the time.
Also bed time is tough, she’s always scared of something she’s heard about or seen - or she has an itchy eye or an itchy bottom or her bed is uncomfy or it’s too dark (even with the hall light in). When you feel tired after a long day you just want your child to GO TO BED. My dh gets frustrated and will tell her off for fighting bed time and then she’ll get really upset and start crying loudly and we have to get her out her room that she shares with her brother so she doesn’t wake him up.
On the plus side, she is one of the most emphathetic people I have ever met, she’s sweet and loving and kind and has an amazing imagination. And is the loveliest big sister to her brother.
I just get exhausted by her neediness sometimes!! Anyone else have a similar experience?