EP 256: When Behavior Feels Personal, It Might Actually Be Sensory

Have you ever had one of those moments where your child completely loses it over the wrong cup, a sibling getting too close, or one tiny thing at the end of the day? It can feel like they are actually mad at you- or their sibling. But actually, rude, defiant, or shutdown behavior might actually have a lot more to do with sensory overwhelm and a nervous system that’s simply run out of capacity and almost NOTHING to do with how mad they are because you gave them the wrong cup. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why behaviors like sass, sibling aggression, and “you never listen!” can look relational but actually begin with sensory stress in the body How everyday sensory input like noise, lights, smells, textures, movement, and school environments can chip away at your child’s window of tolerance? Why noticing your child’s sensory world can help you respond with more clarity, less personalization, and more support for regulation Resources mentioned in this podcast: When Parenting Triggers Your Own Trauma Part 1 of 6 {EP 250} Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior {EP 84} Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior webinar & eBook Read the full transcript at: RobynGobbel.com/traumashapednervoussystem Calling all professionals who work with the families of kids with dysregulated and big, baffling behaviors! I'm hosting my annual, FREE audio-training the week of May 4th! Head to RobynGobbel.com/BafflingBehaviors NOW to register so the moment the audios go live on May 4th, you'll have access right here in your podcast app! *** Let's hang out this summer at two different trainings for professionals! Therapy with Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors- June 1 & 2 in Syracuse, NY RobynGobbel.com/NY Presence in Practice- July 15, 16, & 17 in Rockford, MI (outside Grand Rapids) RobynGobbel.com/Michigan2026 ::: Grab a copy of USA Today Best Selling book Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors robyngobbel.com/book Join us in The Club for more support! robyngobbel.com/TheClub Sign up on the waiting list for the 2027 Cohorts of the Baffling Behavior Training Institute's Immersion Program for Professionals robyngobbel.com/Immersion Follow Me On: Facebook Instagram Over on my website you can find: Webinar and eBook on Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior (FREE) eBook on The Brilliance of Attachment (FREE) LOTS & LOTS of FREE Resources Ongoing support, connection, and co-regulation for struggling parents: The Club Year-Long Immersive & Holistic Training Program for Parenting Professionals: The Baffling Behavior Training Institute’s (BBTI) Professional Immersion Program (formerly Being With)

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EP 256: When Behavior Feels Personal, It Might Actually Be Sensory is an episode from Parenting After Trauma with Robyn Gobbel by Robyn Gobbel.

This episode is 40:11 long.

This episode was published on Mar 10, 2026.

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