About the Book
Integrating self-compassion practice into family life is a profound gift that parents can give to their children and to themselves.
Here you will learn how to make self-compassion an active practice for the whole family-with over 70 activities, crafts, meditations, and games.
Integrating self-compassion practice into family life is a profound gift that parents can give to their children and to themselves.
Here you will learn how to make self-compassion an active practice for the whole family-with over 70 activities, crafts, meditations, and games.
Self-compassion-being kind to yourself when things are hard-is a valuable quality for parents to model and to cultivate in their children-and studies show that it also builds emotional resilience.
This guide for parents explains the benefits of teaching children about self-compassion, and it offers advice, encouragement, and practices to enrich family life. Wendy O'Leary and Louise Shanagher, who have an extensive background and expertise in mindfulness, children's education, and psychology, introduce the basic concepts of self-compassion, along with the benefits and the research that supports the practice.
In communicating self-compassion to children, the authors emphasize the importance of focusing on a child's inherent value rather than on their external achievements and specify the benefits of "self-compassion" over "self-esteem." Crucially, they show us that self-compassion also includes an embodied, felt sense of deep care and love for ourselves.
About the Author :
WENDY O'LEARY, M.Ed., is an educator, author, and public speaker with expertise in mindfulness, self-compassion, and social and emotional learning for children. She is trained in mindful self-compassion, trauma-informed yoga, and mindfulness and is a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association.
LOUISE SHANAGHER is a mindfulness educator, children's therapist, author, and founder of the Creative Mindfulness Kids Organization. Based in Ireland, Shanagher has a BA and MSc in psychology and further qualifications in mindfulness, psychotherapy, and play therapy.
Review :
“Thoughtful and accessible, this is an excellent addition to all parenting collections, a complete and practical guide to helping families develop the emotional resilience to manage life’s difficulties and cultivate the skills they need to thrive in both good times and bad.”
—Booklist
“Thousands of research studies show that self-compassion is a key factor in emotional health and wellbeing. Children are naturally self-compassionate, but they tend to lose it with age. This enormously helpful book shows parents how to create a culture of kindness and compassion in the family that will nourish their children throughout life. The whole family can enjoy the benefits of self-compassion even today! This book will give you all the tools you need to get started. Highly recommended!”
—Christopher Germer, PhD, Lecturer, Harvard Medical School, co-author of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook
“The key hurdle to true well-being is learning to make friends with ourselves. Growing Self Compassionate Children is a significant work to teach children to accept all parts of themselves and discover their innate goodness. With fun, creative practices based in deep psychological understanding, this gem of a book from two master educators will help parents plant potent seeds of wisdom and kindness in children that will blossom into healthy habits for a lifetime. What a different world this would be if more young people were exposed to these wonderful practices! Highly recommended.”
—James Baraz, co-founding teacher, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, co-author of Awakening Joy
“Of all the gifts we want to give our children as they grow up, self-compassion is one of the most important. Wendy O’Leary and Louise Shanagher beautifully lay out a simple path of creative practices for parents and caregivers, children and teens to cultivate self-compassion in ways that are enjoyable, practical, and powerful.”
—Dr. Christopher Willard, author of Growing Up Mindful
“This is a beautiful and intelligent guide for parents who want to equip their children with the life-changing skill of self-compassion. Research shows that self-compassion increases mental health, motivation, grit, and physical wellbeing. The greatest gift any parent can give their child is the ability to be strong and supportive to themselves when they struggle, and this book shows parents how to do it.”
—Dr. Kristin Neff, author of Self-Compassion, Fierce Self-Compassion, and the Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook
“Self-criticism and worry are at an all-time high for both parents and children. This book offers a powerful antidote: self-compassion. With warmth and wisdom, this book teaches parents how to develop the superpower of self-compassion in themselves and their children.”
—Shauna Shapiro, PhD, author of Good Morning, I Love You and Good Morning, I Love you, Violet!
