The smallest correction or 'not right now' sends my daughter into total despair, like the world has ended. I've started reading about RSD and it's like someone described our living room. How do you soften the landing without walking on eggshells 24/7?
4 replies
Mel A
30 January 2026
Naming it helped us — 'your feelings are really big right now and that's ok, the feeling will pass'. Co-regulate first, talk about the actual 'no' way later when she's calm.
Emma V
31 January 2026
I sandwich the no: connection, the no, then a path forward. 'I love hanging out with you. We can't go today. Want to pick a day this week we can?' The 'forward' bit shrinks the devastation.
Michelle K
31 January 2026
RSD is so real and so under-talked-about. It's not manipulation, their nervous system genuinely reads 'no' as threat. You're not creating it by being kind about it.
Liam B
1 February 2026
The 'path forward' sandwich is brilliant. The hopelessness is the worst part and that gives her something to hold. Cheers.
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