[A Sip of a Book] Parenting Lessons for Sensitive Children

Some sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly resonate with the reader’s heart, creating a connection with the book. We present meaningful sentences excerpted from books. - Editor’s note

Dr. Elaine N. Aron, a pioneer in the study of ‘sensitivity’ and author of the global bestseller “The Highly Sensitive Person,” which has sold over one million copies worldwide, changed the perception of sensitive people around the world. The author of this book, known as the “Golden Child Doctor” in the United States, now focuses on the “highly sensitive child.” Having counseled thousands of sensitive children and their parents over the past several years, she says that one in five children is born with “high sensitivity.” This book introduces the traits of the “highly sensitive child,” who until now was often seen as difficult, timid, or easily irritated, through a new category called “sensitivity.” It also presents parenting solutions tailored to sensitive children that reduce stress for both parents and children, while maximizing the advantages of children’s sensitivity. The book contains answers to help children grow beyond sensitivity to happily adapt to the world and develop their talents.

Typical parenting books contain many good stories but generally cover uniform topics. They do not address core issues such as what level of stimulation is appropriate or what parents need to know depending on their child’s sensitivity. Overlooking these points when raising a sensitive child can lead to serious problems. For example, if traditional discipline methods from existing parenting books are used on a sensitive child, the child may receive excessive stimulation and become so upset that they find it difficult to accept the moral lessons following corporal punishment. Nevertheless, there is still not a single book created with sensitive children in mind. That is why I wrote this book. I know that raising sensitive children involves considerable challenges, and I want to ease their worries even a little. Among these parents, some may wonder if there is something wrong with their child or if they themselves have some flaw as a parent. This book will completely erase those concerns. After reading this book, you will be able to feel reassured about your child.

--- From “Preface, You Have a Child Who Is Not Ordinary”

Should we look for a ‘cure’ for a child’s sensitivity? Absolutely not. If a child learns to adapt and cooperate with the given culture and parents learn how to support this, temperament traits will not be a problem at all. However, trying to fix, eliminate, or hide temperament will cause more problems. Many sensitive adolescents and men in our society feel they must hide their sensitivity and actually do so at great personal sacrifice. But diverse temperaments are the “spice of life” that enrich life and humanity’s best hope for survival.

--- From “Chapter 1, Who Is a Highly Sensitive Child?”

Parenting Classes for Sensitive Children | Written by Elaine N. Aron | Translated by An Jinhee | Woongjin Knowledge House | 512 pages | 18,000 KRW

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