An Interview with Dr. Kristin Neff
Fierce self-compassion teaches us how to protect, motivate, and care for ourselves with kindness. In this honest conversation, Dr. Kristin Neff and I explore fierce self-compassion in parenting and the messages caregivers internalize about strength and tenderness. We also share practical strategies (including a guided practice) to help caregivers grow both gentle and strong self-compassion.
Hello Friends!
I’m excited to share an interview with Dr. Kristin Neff on Fierce Self-Compassion and Parenting (view our interview below or listen on your favorite podcast app). Our conversation is rich and includes both the challenges and opportunities of integrating tender and fierce self-compassion in our caregiving, and how embodying these two energies can inform our interactions with our children.
This interview with Kristin is a breath of fresh air for parents aspiring not only to nurture their children, but also empower them to be strong and agentic. And of course, growing your own fierce and tender self-compassion skills is key to helping your child do the same.
Tender and Strong: How Gender Roles Shape Parenting
Our conversation feels especially relevant right now. It is more important than ever that we empower women, minorities, and others with diverse identities to utilize the resources of tender and fierce self-compassion. At around the 10:00 minute mark of our interview, Kristin shares about the importance of women challenging gender roles in parenting. She points out that traditional expectations can prevent boys from embracing tenderness and girls from owning strength, and she offers reflections on how caregivers can support children (and themselves) in growing into both.
I encourage you to listen until the end of our conversation where Kristin guides us through a tender and/or fierce self-compassion break that can be applied to many different situations in our lives.
Related Resources for Parents and Caregivers
- Fierce Self-Compassion blog, my reflections on gentle and strong compassion for caregivers
- Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Workbook for Kids (Volumes 1 & 2), introducing children to gentle and strong self-compassion, with a foreword by Dr. Kristin Neff
- Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), the foundational adult program developed by Drs. Kristin Neff and Chris Germer
- Parent-Child Mindfulness and Self-Compassion (MSC-CC), where caregivers and children learn together
- Upcoming Fierce Self-Compassion Courses, taught through the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
Wishing you continued light, love, and fierce self-compassion!
Jamie Lynn