I didn’t expect to still feel touched out once my kids were past the toddler years. But here’s what I’ve learned: the need for physical closeness doesn’t disappear. It just changes shape. And some days, you’ve given everything you have. Your body is full. And one more person needing something from you physically feels impossible. This isn’t something to fix or push through. It’s information about your capacity. The same way your kid’s behavior tells you when they’re at their limit, your body is telling you when you’ve reached yours. What shifted for me was realizing I could honor both needs in the same moment. My kid’s need for connection AND my need for space. They’re not in competition. Swipe for what this actually looks like in practice (because theory is one thing, real life is another). #bigkidparenting #nervousystemparenting #parentingbigkids #respectfulparenting #parentingwithoutshame