Some children are so used to adapting to others that they don’t notice discomfort until it becomes overwhelming. Help your child learn to listen to their body first. Talk about physical cues like tightness in the chest, stomach discomfort, wanting to escape, or feeling suddenly quiet.
You can say, “Boundaries often start as body feelings before they become words.” Encourage them to pause and check in with themselves during interactions. Over time, this builds internal awareness, which is the foundation of healthy boundaries.