Why Parents—and Children—Need Self Compassion During COVID-19
Life may sort of be getting back to something that’s a little more normal, but we’re not quite there yet. We’re still working while trying to teach or distract our kids; doing laundry or dishes late into the night to catch up; and still missing all the normal things we used to do this time of year, like visits to the farmer’s market and dinners with friends.
If you and your child are still feeling anxious—even though life is opening back up—give yourself a break, say experts. It’s called self-compassion—and “it means being kind to yourself,” said Dr. Amy House, a psychologist with Augusta University Health. “The root of the term compassion means ‘suffering with,’ so self-compassion is to be with yourself in your suffering. Life as we thought it was going to happen is not happening,” she said. “The losses associated with that as well as the fear and anxiety about what might happen or could happen opens up the opportunity for self-compassion.”
To hear more from our expert on how to have self-compassion during these uncertain times, click here.