East Brookfield, MA - On March 18, 20205, the Spencer- East Brookfield Regional School District’s “Cubs’ Corner Preschool” in collaboration with Wachusett Community Connections and the Kennedy Donovan Early Intervention program sponsored a workshop for parents. Wendy O’Leary, a local educator and author, spoke to a gathering of parents and educators from her newly released book, Growing Self-Compassionate Children: A Family Guide for Nurturing Resiliency and Kindness. Mrs. O’Leary reminded her audience that sometimes, as much as we care, life can be difficult, sometimes parenting can be challenging, and we can be hard on ourselves.
Mrs. O’Leary talked about how self-compassion (being kind to ourselves when things feel hard) can help parents and children manage the difficulties in life more effectively. She acknowledged how challenging parenting can be for everyone at times. In addition, parents can also be hard on themselves, comparing themselves and their children to others, doubting their parenting, making mistakes, and judging themselves harshly or feeling bad if they are reactive or overwhelmed at times. She shared how self-compassion can help and taught some specific techniques to begin practicing being more self-compassionate during difficult parenting moments.
She also discussed the benefits of nurturing self-compassion in children. As much as adults care for children and want them to be happy, sometimes, our responses to their difficulties don’t help them develop the skills and capacity to handle life’s inevitable challenges. She shared some ways to help children develop kinder and more compassionate relationships with themselves, beginning with our modeling.
Wendy O’Leary will return to East Brookfield Elementary School on April 15, 2025, at 6:30 and will facilitate a self-compassion activity for parents and children to do together.