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Episode 2447:
Kelly Eden explores the unique world of highly sensitive extroverted children, highlighting their empathy, creativity, and boundless energy. Discover actionable tips to nurture their sensitivity, helping them thrive in a world that often overlooks their distinctive needs.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/highly-sensitive-extrovert-child-signs/
Quotes to ponder:
"Highly sensitive extroverts often feel the highs and lows of the world intensely, but they also have a contagious zest for life."
"These children thrive when given both social interaction and the chance to recharge in a calm, supportive environment."
"Understanding their unique needs can help them turn their sensitivity into a powerful strength."
Episode references:
Raising Your Spirited Child: https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Your-Spirited-Child-Perceptive/dp/0060739665
The Highly Sensitive Person: https://www.amazon.com/Highly-Sensitive-Person-Thrive-Overwhelms/dp/0553062182
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
[00:00:00] This is Optimal Relationships Daily, 12 Signs Your Child Is a Highly Sensitive Extrovert by Kelly Eden of HighlySensitiveRefuge.com.
[00:00:11] All the kids are backstage, made up and ready to go on. The director announces,
[00:00:17] It's a full house. All the kids nervously groan. Except mine. My daughter is an extreme extrovert.
[00:00:25] She loves being on stage. She's been on it since she was four and she never gets nervous.
[00:00:30] In fact, when the director announced that it was a full house, she cheered. According to her, the more people watching, the better.
[00:00:38] Personally, I generally join the rest of the population who rank public speaking as their number one phobia.
[00:00:44] This is one of her superpowers. My daughter is also a highly sensitive person.
[00:00:50] It's a common misconception that highly sensitive people are shy or introverts.
[00:00:54] In her research, Dr. Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person, found that 30% of HSPs are actually extroverts.
[00:01:03] Could your child be one of them?
[00:01:06] Signs Your Child Is a Highly Sensitive Extrovert
[00:01:09] 1. Despite being an outward personality, your child is a deep thinker.
[00:01:15] They have profound thoughts and big ideas, often surprising you with wisdom beyond their years.
[00:01:21] 2. Your child is very social. They rarely turn down a chance to be with friends.
[00:01:28] 3. They have a kind heart. Adults describe them as gentle and empathetic to others.
[00:01:35] 4. They're extremely observant. They notice little details about people, art, music, or the world that others may miss.
[00:01:45] 5. They always want to go to social events. They seem to get energized while out and about with people.
[00:01:52] 6. Nevertheless, similar to introverts, they need solitude to recharge.
[00:01:58] After a busy day, your child needs alone time or a nap.
[00:02:03] 7. However, your child doesn't prefer to be alone.
[00:02:07] They become bored, tired, or even feel a bit depressed if alone for long, even if they need that alone time to recharge.
[00:02:15] 8. They're often engaged in new, interesting, creative activities, especially when they take place outside the home and involve others.
[00:02:24] 9. When out, they often spark up conversations with others.
[00:02:29] They'll even interact with strangers, and they're happy, smiling, open, and engaging.
[00:02:35] 10. Your child easily makes new friends.
[00:02:39] 11. Your child loves working in a group or team.
[00:02:44] 12. Your child is emotional.
[00:02:47] They feel things deeply and care deeply about others and the world at large.
[00:02:52] If your child fits a lot of these signs, they're likely a highly sensitive extrovert.
[00:02:57] 13. The superpowers of the extroverted HSP.
[00:03:01] Being a highly sensitive person is a perfectly normal, healthy trait, and one that up to 20% of the population shares.
[00:03:09] Although it can be challenging at times to raise a child who feels and processes things deeply,
[00:03:15] this trait also comes with a lot of advantages.
[00:03:18] Here are four superpowers of the extroverted HSP.
[00:03:22] 14. They make friends easily.
[00:03:25] 15. Wherever we go, my daughter makes friends in seconds.
[00:03:29] 16. She makes each new friend feel special, and it's not hard to see why they enjoy her company.
[00:03:34] Her bubbly, extroverted personality makes her great to be around,
[00:03:38] and her HSP awareness of feelings means she's kind and shows empathy.
[00:03:42] 16. Extroverted HSPs can build rapport quickly,
[00:03:46] tuning in to people and getting on with them at their level,
[00:03:49] easily adjusting the way they interact with others depending on their age, interests, personality, and mood.
[00:03:55] And they make great friends, too.
[00:03:58] Their HSP side is reflective and empathetic.
[00:04:01] And because they feel emotions so deeply,
[00:04:03] when you're loved by an HSP, you really are loved.
[00:04:07] And an extroverted HSP will let you know it.
[00:04:10] Talk with your child about their friends,
[00:04:12] as they will be a very valued part of their lives.
[00:04:15] Number two.
[00:04:17] They are compassionate activists.
[00:04:20] Extroverted HSPs often get very passionate about a particular cause.
[00:04:24] They will think deeply about human rights
[00:04:26] or feel strongly about animal cruelty or damage to the environment.
[00:04:31] News items or documentaries about these types of issues tend to affect HSPs deeply.
[00:04:36] And with the outgoing nature of an extrovert, people are going to hear about it.
[00:04:40] Encourage your child to think about a cause they want to support
[00:04:43] and help them come up with an action plan of how they can contribute or promote it.
[00:04:48] Number three.
[00:04:49] They have a natural ability to perform creatively.
[00:04:53] The highly sensitive person's ability to notice things others don't
[00:04:57] makes it easier for them to imitate others or develop characters.
[00:05:01] Being able to pick up on subtle body language, quirks, and mannerisms
[00:05:04] makes for effective acting, i.e. my daughter on stage before a packed house.
[00:05:09] Add to that the highly sensitive person's extreme awareness of feelings,
[00:05:13] and you've got a powerful combination.
[00:05:16] HSPs who are introverted can obviously be actors, entertainers, and performers too,
[00:05:21] and many are.
[00:05:22] But the added extroversion brings a confidence that makes it very easy for these children
[00:05:26] to enjoy the stage.
[00:05:27] If your child shows an interest, encourage drama classes or any opportunities to act,
[00:05:33] dance, perform, or sing.
[00:05:36] Number four.
[00:05:37] They handle crowds and parties with a little more ease.
[00:05:41] In general, HSPs tend not to handle crowded spaces or parties all that well.
[00:05:46] But the more extroverted they are, the easier it is.
[00:05:50] Some even thrive on it.
[00:05:51] They might start planning their own parties and events, and with their tuned-in HSP side,
[00:05:57] they're great at thinking about what their guests will enjoy and how to make them comfortable.
[00:06:01] My daughter started planning her own parties at age 11.
[00:06:05] But remember, even if they really want to, planning a party will probably be overwhelming for an HSP
[00:06:11] at some point, and they'll need your support to handle this.
[00:06:14] It's a good opportunity to learn stress management.
[00:06:17] After any busy event, even extroverted HSP kids need quite a bit of downtime.
[00:06:23] But don't expect them to go to bed easily that night.
[00:06:25] They might be far too overstimulated to sleep.
[00:06:32] You just listened to the post titled,
[00:06:34] 12 Signs Your Child is a Highly Sensitive Extrovert,
[00:06:38] by Kelly Eden of HighlySensitiveRefuge.com
[00:06:42] And I really love this post from Kelly.
[00:06:45] Thanks so much to her for this one.
[00:06:46] This article is full of really great reminders for both adults and kids.
[00:06:51] And the biggest one is that people are always more layered than we give them credit for.
[00:06:56] When someone thinks of an HSP, extroversion might not be the first image that comes to mind.
[00:07:02] Vice versa, when we see people who are so lively and vibrant,
[00:07:06] we have a hard time seeing their sensitive, more vulnerable side.
[00:07:09] While gauging people incorrectly like this is natural and not such a huge problem,
[00:07:14] it does become an issue when we start to treat people based on what we assume about them,
[00:07:20] given our first impressions of them.
[00:07:22] For example, you may find yourself not asking a very extroverted friend about how they're feeling too often,
[00:07:28] simply because their general confidence and expression makes it seem as though they might not need help
[00:07:34] or might not need a shoulder to lean on.
[00:07:36] This article reminds us not to do that,
[00:07:39] to always seek to learn about others and what layers they have beneath the surface.
[00:07:44] This is how we better understand people and ultimately create better relationships with people.
[00:07:49] And that is going to do it for today, everybody.
[00:07:51] I really hope you liked this post and we were able to give some good takeaways
[00:07:55] and maybe rethink your instincts to assume too much about others.
[00:07:58] These are normal instincts, but just not necessarily useful ones.
[00:08:02] I also hope you will join me again on ORD Tomorrow,
[00:08:05] where your optimal life awaits.
[00:08:07] Thank you for listening to us.
[00:08:08] ...
[00:08:08] Thank you.