Q&A: My sensitive kid got the "strict" teacher and I'm worried they won't vibe. Is there anything I can do as a parent to help?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...

 

• What to do if your child is assigned a teacher whose style may not seem like the best match.

• How to advocate for your child in a way that supports collaboration and avoids conflict.

• Why starting the school year with a proactive email to the teacher can set the tone for a strong partnership.

• The surprising benefits a strict or “old school” teacher might actually offer sensitive kids.

• How to prepare your child to advocate for themselves, build resilience, and navigate new classroom dynamics.

• What to do if things don’t go as hoped—and how to intervene effectively if your child truly isn’t thriving in the classroom.

 

If you’re feeling anxious about the upcoming school year and unsure how to support your child through a potentially tricky teacher match, this episode will help you feel more grounded, empowered, and ready to approach it with openness and confidence.

 

 

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

 

👉🏻 Do you have a sensitive child? Learn more about Parenting by Design, my guided program for increasing behavioral and emotional regulation in sensitive kids.

 

👉🏻 Learn more about how a one-time or short-term parenting coaching session at Upshur Bren Psychology Group can help you navigate back-to-school transitions, teacher mismatches, and other challenges. You can also schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the right support for your family’s unique needs by going to upshurbren.com/calendar.

 

 

ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

 

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what it feels like to be a 10-year-old going back to school

 

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why boys and girls need different things with Michael Gurian

 

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the myth of learning styles with Dr. Dan Willingham

 

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do when your child refuses to go to school 

 

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the hidden dangers of an achievement centric approach with Jennifer Breheny Wallace

 

 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

 

Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!