“I can’t decide that quickly! That feels so unfair,” he exclaimed. Once his emotions flared, no amount of offering him more time or making the choice for him could ease his distress. He needed space to collect himself in the bustling airport.

While reading “The Highly Sensitive Child” by Dr. Elaine Aron, I began to suspect that my son might possess the traits of a highly sensitive child, as outlined in her book. This insight led me to realize that my quick decision-making style in busy places might not align with his. Rather than pushing him to adapt to my pace, I recognized that I needed to cultivate understanding for our different personalities.

“Science has shown that the thalamus works as an information gatekeeper, allowing more sensory data to flow,” explains Sophie Schauermann, Clinical Director of Rooted Rhythm Therapy. “A highly sensitive brain reacts to both positive and negative stimuli—everything from birthday celebrations to car accidents—sometimes becoming highly stimulated and remaining that way longer.”

According to Dr. Aron, around 20% of both children and adults exhibit high sensitivity. This means that roughly one in five people processes information more deeply and is more susceptible to feeling emotions intensely. These individuals often require extra time to evaluate situations or decide what’s best for them.

Although most highly sensitive individuals lean towards introversion, I initially thought my lively son didn’t belong in this group. Dr. Aron’s research clarified that up to 30% of highly sensitive people can be extroverts, shedding light on how my son, while enjoying new experiences and communicating with strangers, still processes everything deeply.

“We experience extreme emotional fluctuations. A single day can swing from being the best to the worst,” says Schauermann. Parents wonder why their child is upset during what should be a fun vacation, not realizing that these dramatic emotional swings are just part of the experience. I encourage parents to accept and normalize this,” she adds.

My compassionate son forms deep connections with the people and places we encounter. Whether it’s admiring the vibrant colors of Japanese Maple trees in Portland’s Japanese Gardens or learning to interact with children who speak different languages, witnessing his unique viewpoint while he explores the world is truly enchanting.

Reflecting on our adventures across 20 countries and 16 states with my son has been enlightening. With insights from Schauermann, here are my top priorities for traveling with a highly sensitive child.

Communicate travel plans early

Before our trips, I make it a point to inform my son about our destination and itinerary. This helps him mentally prepare for the adjustments to his routine. I share visuals if available and encourage him to express any concerns or inquiries about the journey.

In case plans change unexpectedly, we discuss how it might feel stressful and acknowledge that highly sensitive individuals often experience an uptick in stress during unforeseen events.

Include downtime in your itinerary

It’s crucial to carve out moments for relaxation during busy travel days. Allowing for a brief downtime after meals helps us rejuvenate for the remainder of the day.

“Sensitive children need ample time to recharge and process their experiences. Sometimes, they may require several hours of screen time to unwind and help their brains stabilize,” Schauermann shares.

Although incorporating screen time may raise eyebrows, Schauermann reassures that it doesn’t have to be negative when managing travel for highly sensitive kids.

“Through my experience, I’ve observed that particularly sensitive children often require moments to disconnect and process when they feel overwhelmed. They need downtime to simply ‘be’. I guide parents in making choices that resonate with their principles regarding this,” she shares.

Respecting limits

During spring break, I arranged for my son and me to stay at the Novotel Belo Horizonte Hotel in Brazil, drawn especially by the hotel’s impressive two-story spiral slide. I imagined him enjoying endless hours of sliding while I relaxed in the lobby.

Upon our arrival, despite his excitement for the indoor slide, once he reached the top, he felt the slide was too high and dark; he didn’t want to risk feeling frightened.

I strive to respect his boundaries when it comes to outings and trying new foods, even if that means we might miss out on some experiences I’d wished for during this unique trip.

Prioritizing moments of connection

Whether we’re visiting a theme park or a bookstore, I treasure our one-on-one time together, and I realize it helps him find balance as well. Schauermann notes that dedicating just 20 minutes for connection with a caregiver during an outing can be revitalizing for highly sensitive children.

“For children who are sensitive, having a model in another sensitive person who is also exploring their personal boundaries and how to manage their own sensitivities is invaluable. They often receive deep understanding from those family members,” explains Schauermann.

Though I tend to make swift decisions and don’t often feel emotions as profoundly, Schauermann helped me understand how I can also provide valuable guidance for my son.

“A parent who isn’t sensitive can be a great advantage for a highly sensitive child because they demonstrate a different way of processing feelings. They can often create a safe space for the sensitive child to express themselves while maintaining their own emotional boundaries.”

Recognizing achievements

We spent an afternoon at Seabreeze Amusement Park in Rochester, New York, a timeless amusement park brimming with rides and water attractions. After my son had finished riding the swing carousel, a brief storm forced everyone to seek shelter from lightning under designated awnings near the park’s midway games.

“I never get to have any fun!” my son exclaimed right before a thunder clap echoed through the air, amplifying his exasperation.

I’ve learned that it’s common for kids like him to express strong emotions. I started empathizing with his feelings while we waited for the storm to pass.

“I understand! It’s really frustrating when you want to go on the water rides, but we have to wait,” I reassured him.

After about twenty minutes, the storm cleared and the rides reopened. As soon as the staff gave the signal, my son eagerly dashed to the Log Flume, riding it three times consecutively. Each plunge down the flume made his smile grow even larger.

After he was satisfied with the ride, I gently reminded him that everything turned out fine after our wait. He agreed, and I felt a wave of pride as a mom for handling the situation well.

My Highly Sensitive Child has visited 20 countries. Here’s how we manage our travel experiences, originally featured on FamilyVacationist.com.

The opinions and insights shared in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YSL News. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are both presented and managed by Vacationist Media LLC. Through the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and curate family vacation ideas and destinations, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations suitable for all ages. TourScoop focuses on guided group tours, operators, and gear reviews for travel.