Parenting a Superfeeler: 5 Ways To Help Your Child Embrace Their Sensitivity

Parenting is a wild ride, full of ups and downs. And if your child, teen, or young adult is a superfeeler, that ride can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster with extra loops.

Superfeelers experience emotions intensely—sometimes overwhelmingly—but their sensitivity can become their superpower, especially with the right support. The term “super feeler” isn’t an official diagnosis; it’s a way to describe people who feel emotions intensely. They might pick up on others’ feelings like they have a highly tuned inner emotional radar. Superfeelers often display traits such as heightened empathy, strong emotional reactions, and sensitivity to the emotions of others. They can have big emotional reactions, being highly agreeable one moment and emotionally overwhelmed the next.

Raising a super feeler can be challenging at times. Still, their deep emotional awareness should be nurtured, not shut down. Here are some ways to help your child navigate their emotions while building confidence and resilience. 

1. Consider Your Perspective:

Before helping your loved one, take a moment to reflect on your own feelings. It’s easy to see their big emotions as a challenge to fix, but their sensitivity is actually a strength. Many super feelers grow up to be compassionate and insightful adults, often drawn to careers in healthcare, psychology, or education. Instead of focusing on how to “fix” their sensitivity, try shifting your mindset. How can you help them use their emotional depth positively? When you see it as a gift rather than a struggle, they’ll also start to see it that way.

2. Encourage Emotional Strength (Not Toughness):

As kids grow up, their emotions become less intense as their brains fully develop. Nonetheless, super feelers will likely always be more sensitive than most. As parents, it can be tempting to tell them to “toughen up” or “stop being so sensitive,” but that can make them feel like their emotions are wrong. Instead, celebrate their ability to feel deeply. Look for times when their emotional intelligence shines and point it out. Praise their effort, not just their achievements. For example: “I saw how kind you were to your friends when they were upset. That was really thoughtful.” “You worked so hard on that project, even when it got frustrating. That’s amazing perseverance.” When you highlight their strengths, they’ll feel more confident handling their emotions rather than feeling like they must suppress them.

3. Choose Your Words Wisely:

How we talk about emotions matters. It’s natural to say things like “calm down” or “don’t worry” when your child is overwhelmed, but those phrases can feel dismissive. Instead, try validating their emotions first:

Instead of: “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”

Try: “I see you’re really worried about this. That makes sense. Do you want to talk about it?”

Instead of: “Relax, it’s not a big deal.”

Try: “You seem really frustrated right now. I get why you feel that way. I’m here if you need me.”

Wording can make a huge difference in helping your child, or teen feel heard and supported and see that their emotional sensitivity can be a strength.

4. Listen First, Then Help:

One of the most powerful things you can do for a super feeler is simply listen to understand. It’s tempting to jump in with solutions, but sometimes, they just need to be heard. This is the heart of emotion coaching—helping kids understand and manage their emotions by guiding them through tough moments with empathy.

5. Get Support As Needed:
Parenting a super-feeler can be exhausting. You’re helping them navigate their emotions while also keeping your own in check—that’s a lot! It’s okay to ask for help.

Therapy can be a great resource, providing parents with tools to support their loved one in understanding and embracing their super-feeler traits. If you are curious to explore more about the crucial role caregivers play in their child’s healing and how gaining effective support strategies can make a meaningful difference, check out our blog The Healing Power of Families – Why Empowering Parents Matters.

If your child, teen or young adult is looking for support in making sense of their big emotions and finding ways to cope, therapy can also be a valuable resource for them. Therapy offers a safe space to develop coping skills, build emotional resilience, and gain a deeper awareness of their feelings.

Raising a super-feeler can be overwhelming, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to nurture a deeply compassionate, emotionally intelligent person. With patience, empathy, and the right tools, your child can learn to embrace their emotions rather than feel controlled by them. If your child, teen or young adult are open to exploring support or if you need some guidance yourself—contact Lois for therapy or parent support. .