A good friend texted me a podcast episode a few weeks ago with a super short note: "this reminded me of your oldest."
It was about the neurotypical sibling's experience. It has been a truly traumatic experience for my neurotypical child (who is now 27), so I turned it on while getting ready that morning. There came a point about halfway in that hit my like a ton of bricks.
"The weather has changed, but you haven't taken off the sweater," said the psychologist to her neurotypical sibling guest.
Whoa.
I finally had a real insight into what my daughter has been trying to explain to me about her experience for years now. I was sobbing while trying to put on makeup, which didn't work so well.
It was so impactful to me that I had to record a podcast episode on siblings and discuss that conversation, glass children, and how to help our neurotypical kids feel seen, heard and understood, too. Please share this episode with any family that has a neruotypical child and a neurodivergent child. It can make a real difference for that sibling.
With so much heart,
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366: The Glass Child: The Neurotypical Sibling’s Experience
with Penny Williams
There's a kid in your house who never asks for anything, who seems fine when everything is falling apart, who's learned to take up less space so there's room for their sibling's bigger needs. There's a name for what they're experiencing: glass child.
This episode is about the neurotypical sibling, and why they don't get nearly enough of our attention. I share a Target meltdown from my own family, one kid on the floor and one kid pacing, and only one of me, and what it taught me about how much our neurotypical kids are absorbing and hiding. I also share the line from an Esther Perel episode that finally helped me understand my own daughter: the weather changed, but you haven't taken off the sweater.
If you have more than one kid, this one's for you. Give it a listen.
I've got you! Whether you're raising or educating neurodivergent kids, teens, or young adults, I can provide some relief and a path to success. Here's how:
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I help parents and teachers of neurodivergent kids trade escalation for regulation using my SIGNAL Parenting™ framework. Award-winning author of Boy Without Instructions and host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast. My core belief: behavior isn't the problem, it's the signal.