When your child pulls away, it doesn’t mean you’ve lost them
Ceara Deno, MD • November 10, 2025
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When your child pulls away, it doesn’t mean you’ve lost them
Sometimes you can try everything — patience, playfulness, reassurance — and your child still pulls away.
Nothing seems to land.
You reach out, and your child pulls away.
The more you try to close the gap, the more distant they seem.
For parents of deeply feeling, highly sensitive kids, this moment can feel especially painful.
You’re tuned in.
You care deeply.
You’re doing your best to stay calm and loving, but your child still feels unreachable.
It’s easy to start wondering, “What did I do wrong?”
But disconnection doesn’t mean your relationship is broken.
It’s not proof that your relationship is in trouble.
It’s simply information.
When a highly sensitive child pulls away, it usually means their nervous system is overwhelmed.
They’re not rejecting you — they’re trying to cope.
Their system is flooded, and connection, even though it’s what they need most, can feel like “too much” in that moment.
This is where our own nervous system work matters most.
Because if we can meet that distance with curiosity instead of panic, and patience instead of pressure, we create safety again.
Disconnection is a moment to pause, to breathe, and to notice what’s really happening underneath the surface.
It’s a signal to slow down, not a sign that you’ve failed.
One small step at a time, you can find your way back to connection — through regulation, empathy, and gentle leadership.
You’re not losing your child.
You’re learning how to meet them where they are. ❤️
Parents of highly sensitive kids, if you could use some help moving from disconnection to calm, confident connection, let’s chat.
Schedule a free call with me today using the scheduling link HERE.
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