Although the holiday season can be magical, joyful, and full of tradition, it can feel loud, overwhelming, unpredictable, and exhausting. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
On my latest Just My MomSense podcast episode, I talk more about why the holidays can be so overstimulating, how anxiety and sensory challenges feed into each other, and what we can do to help our kids (and ourselves) move through the season with more calm.
You can listen here or on your favorite podcasting platform!
Yesterday was all about Sensory Seekers but today will be all about Sensory Avoiders. While seekers crave more input, avoiders experience the opposite. Their nervous systems process input as overwhelming, and they often react by withdrawing, resisting, or shutting down.
Recognizing the different types of sensory avoiders can help parents, caregivers, and teachers provide the right environment and support.
The vestibular system controls balance and movement. Vestibular avoiders often dislike swings, slides, or activities that make them feel off balance. They may resist climbing, running, or spinning. Supporting them means allowing slow, predictable movement at their own pace and never forcing participation.
The proprioceptive system gives feedback from muscles and joints. While many children love deep pressure, proprioceptive avoiders may resist hugs, dislike tight clothing, or avoid heavy lifting. Respecting their boundaries and offering gentler forms of input can help them feel safe.
The tactile system processes touch. Tactile avoiders may dislike certain fabrics, resist messy play, or pull away from unexpected touch. Tags in shirts, scratchy clothing, or sticky textures can feel unbearable. Support strategies include soft clothing, gradual exposure, and allowing choice in textures.
The oral sensory system processes input through the mouth. Oral avoiders may be picky eaters, avoiding foods with certain textures or strong flavors. They may gag easily or resist toothbrushing. Providing a variety of safe, preferred foods and slowly introducing new ones can reduce stress.
The auditory system interprets sound. Auditory avoiders may cover their ears at loud noises, dislike crowded environments, or struggle with sudden sounds like vacuums or alarms. Noise-canceling headphones, quiet spaces, and preparing them for upcoming sounds can make environments more manageable.
The visual system processes light and movement. Visual avoiders may dislike bright lights, avoid crowded or cluttered spaces, or find fast-moving visuals overwhelming. Soft lighting, sunglasses, and calm visual environments are helpful supports.
Sensory avoiders aren’t being difficult or picky. Their nervous systems are sending danger signals in response to overwhelming input. By understanding their unique sensory needs, we can help them feel more comfortable and secure.
Awareness of sensory avoiders allows us to shift from frustration to compassion. Supporting them isn’t about pushing them into uncomfortable situations, it’s about respecting their boundaries and creating safe, supportive spaces where they can thrive.
Reminder: Sensory Processing Difficulties aren’t kid-specific. It’s not something that goes away with age. There are ways to learn how to manage and support the day-to-day challenges and there are many adults that need support as well.
One of the biggest challenges of parenting a child with sensory difficulties isn’t just managing the day-to-day, it’s helping the people around us understand what’s really going on.
Since October is Sensory Processing Awareness Month, it feels like the perfect time to talk about how we can explain sensory processing to the friends, family members, and teachers who love and support our kids.
Most people want to understand, but they don’t know how. Sensory processing can feel invisible from the outside. A meltdown over scratchy tags or a refusal to eat certain textures can be mistaken as “bad behavior” or “picky eating.” That’s where our voice matters.
Here are a few ways to explain it simply:
Use relatable examples.
“Have you ever been stuck in a room with a flickering light or heard nails on a chalkboard? Imagine if your brain felt like that several times a day. That’s what it can be like for my child.”
Keep it short and clear.
“Sensory processing is how the brain interprets information from the five senses. For some kids, it’s turned up too high, for others, it’s turned down too low.”
Share what helps.
“It’s not about fixing my child; it’s about supporting them. Things like headphones, weighted blankets, or breaks can make a huge difference.”
Lead with compassion.
Sensory needs aren’t “bad” or “wrong,” they’re just different.
The more we talk openly, the more the people around us begin to understand. And that understanding builds patience, inclusion, and empathy.
This Sensory Processing Awareness Month, I encourage you to share a piece of your child’s sensory story with someone new: a teacher, a grandparent, a friend. Every conversation plants a seed of awareness, and together, we can grow a more compassionate community for our kids.
One more note: Sensory Processing Difficulties aren’t kid-specific. It’s not something that goes away with age. There are ways to learn how to manage and support the day-to-day challenges and there are many adults that need support as well.
Do you have a way you’ve been able to explain sensory processing? Share it in the comments below or connect with me on Instagram!
October is Sensory Processing Awareness Month, and I couldn’t let the first day pass without taking a moment to share why this month is so close to my heart.
If you’ve been following along with Just My MomSense, you already know that sensory processing plays a huge role in our family’s daily life. For us, it’s not just about quirky preferences or “picky” behaviors, it’s about how our children experience the world. A sound, a texture, or a room full of people can feel too much or not enough. What looks small on the outside can feel enormous on the inside.
That’s why Sensory Processing Awareness Month is so important. It’s a time to pause, educate, and bring understanding to families, teachers, friends, and communities who might not fully see what’s happening behind the scenes. For those of us living this everyday, it’s a reminder that our kids are processing the world differently, and that deserves respect, patience, and support.
This month, I’ll be sharing practical tools, calming strategies, and real-life stories from our sensory journey. My hope is that you feel less alone and more equipped, whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or someone who simply wants to better understand sensory needs.
Let’s use this month to celebrate the uniqueness of our kids, raise awareness in our circles, and gently remind the world: sensory processing differences are real, valid, and worth honoring.
Here’s to a month of awareness, compassion, and connection!
Just My MomSense: The Podcast is officially out in the world! I was excited (and a little nervous!) to finally hit publish on these first few episodes.
If you’re new here: I’m not an expert. I’m a mom learning, growing, and doing the best I can just like you. This podcast is a space for parents, caregivers, and anyone navigating the world of raising humans.
Let’s take a look at the first three episodes in case you missed them:
This one is short and sweet! I talk about why I started this podcast and what you can expect going forward. Every good series needs a Pilot episode!
In this episode I dive into all eight senses: what they are, how they work, and why understanding them is essential for supporting your kids (and yourself)
This episode has my first official guest, my friend Dr. Val! We talk all about how we really learn. We dive into the different learning styles and explore why recognizing these styles matters for kids and adults alike.
Looking forward to more interviews with experts and incredible parents, solo chats sharing my own tips, and resources I’ve found helpful along the way.
If you’ve listened, THANK YOU!
Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and if you like what you hear, leave a quick rating or review. It helps so much in getting the word out.
Today’s the day.
After months (ok, maybe years) of thinking about it, planning it, second-guessing it, and finally recording it, the Just My MomSense Podcast is officially live!
Writing has always been my comfort zone, but after doing the Dillo’s Diz podcast for the past 7 years and spending a year and a half co-hosting the Magical Mommy Monday podcast, I felt like this was a good next step. I’m excited to share more stories, highlight helpful resources, and talk to experts or other parents!
The Pilot and first official episode are now live! You can listen here by clicking on the Podcast tab on the menu or wherever you listen to podcasts! A new episode will drop on Wednesday and continue weekly.
This isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about sharing what I’ve learned (and am still learning).
Thank you for being here at the start. I’m so excited for what’s to come.
There are no words for the excitement both of my kids had once their weighted blankets were delivered and they were under the covers!
The two we bought are linked on the “These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things” page.
These blankets provide gentle, evenly distributed pressure across the body. This comforting sensation, often called “deep touch pressure,” feels like a warm hug and can work wonders for your mind and body. Whether you’re looking for better sleep, stress relief, or sensory support, weighted blankets offer benefits for everyone—kids and adults alike.
There are so many benefits to a weighted blanket:
I’m big on putting as many tools in your tool box as you can. Sometimes that is something you can do like a breathing technique and others it can be an actual item. Weighted blankets are a tool for better sleep, less stress, and sensory balance. Our kids love their blankets!
Have you tried a weighted blanket? I’d love to hear how it’s worked for you. Drop your thoughts in the comments!
If you’d like to see the weighted blankets we picked out on Amazon (as pictured below), you can check them out here, along with a few of our other favorite things!
I’ve learned so much since starting on a sensory journey with my son almost 7 years ago. I learned about sensory integration, sensory toys, sensory products, and more! But the biggest ongoing takeaway for me is how I go about parenting and peopleing.
That’s right, I said peopleing! Whether or not I’m using it correctly, it doesn’t matter because I’m sticking with it. In this sense, I’m talking about how I look at, talk to and understand people around me.
I know there are a lot of official terms going around for parenting and I don’t give my parenting style an official title. I just try to be respectful, provide them tools for the world and meet them where they are. For example:
How does that all apply to peopleing and sensory living? I use similar approaches to other people. If another adult acts in what could be seen as negatvie, I wonder what else could be going on with them. Is everyone in their family healthy? Are they struggling with their mental health? Did they just lose their job?
I do expect adults to act like adults, but recognize we’re all still learning. We’re all continuously growing, changing, and working on ourselves. It’s ok to have set backs, it’s ok to make mistakes. We’re all trying our best.
Other adults may not deserve respect and sometimes I find that out the hard way. I try to talk with people, learn about them and connect. Sometimes you click with people and sometimes you don’t. That’s all ok. Be kind, be patient, be yourself and let the chips fall where they may.
Sensory integration has taught me so much about how we all process the world around us and how it can be a silent struggle for so many everyday.
What does sensory overload look like for you? The truth is, sensory overload can look different for everyone.
According to Queensland Health:
Sensory overload is when your five senses—light, sound, taste, touch, and smell—take in more information that your brain can process. Overwhelmed by all the input, the brain responds as it would to a life-threatening situation and enters fight, flight, or freeze mode.
You can read more from Queensland Health by clicking here.
Understanding the why behind someone’s reaction to their environment is the key to helping them get through it. A child may seem like they’re acting out in a busy store, but in reality, the lights and sounds are just too much for them. An adult at a party may need to leave the room for a bit and get some fresh air. The music, smells of different food and all the people may feel incredibly overwhelming.
Recognizing your own or someone else’s symptoms when experiencing sensory overload can be so beneficial. You’re able to come up with a game plan, code words, bringing items like fidget toys or ear plugs; all the tools one may need in order to properly process the environment around them.
Once again I’m going to shout out Sensory Spectacle. Over on their site, they have downloadable resources under ‘Shop’ and some of which are free! Click here for a printable resource from Sensory Spectacle all about sensory overload. It contains helpful information and characteristics of sensory overload.
During the 2020 Holiday Season, I got to interview the one and only Santa Clause on the Dillo’s Diz Podcast. With still so much uncertainty surrounding us, it was a comfort to be speaking with someone so magical. Aside from the huge honor of interviewing him, we were also chatting about VisitSantaOnline.com, where families could book a zoom call with the big guy himself!
We had been to visit Santa in person in previous years when the kids were in the baby/toddler stage. Since some time had passed, they were feeling a little nervous about seeing him in real life. As we all know, 2020 was a time where not many things were happening in person. The combination of these two factors had me running to this new way to connect with St. Nick!
The visit was amazing! Santa connected with both kids, who were 3 and 6 at the time, and brought Christmas magic to life. He was able to chat with them about some of their wishes for Christmas, school and more. 3 years later, they have continued to talk about it and we decided to book another call with Santa.
With 5 days left until Christmas, we appreciated Santa finding time out of his busy schedule to once again chat with us. Now at 9 and 6, the kids were once again star struck seeing him again. Another magical memory has been made.
If your child is a bit skiddish about meeting Santa in person, if a mall setting would be too overwhelming, or maybe scheduling an in person meeting is tough, I highly recommend checking out VisitSantaOnline.com. You get time to chat with Santa and a recording of the zoom call once it’s done. It’s a fantastic experience!
Thankful for the Christmas season, for watching magic through my kids’ eyes and for Santa as he creates memorable moments!
Just My MomSense 