Hi friends,
I first learned about self-compassion while helping my daughter, Maya, navigate her big emotions. Initially, I was frantically trying to put an end to her meltdowns—because honestly, kids’ feelings can be exhausting, for them and for us as parents!
But I discovered that the pressure to “stop” Maya’s big feelings was only making things worse. Practicing self-compassion helped me hold the struggle—and ultimately helped her embrace her big feelings. When we make feelings into a “problem to solve,” it often backfires. Teaching kids playful skills to work with their feelings without judgment lightens the load for everyone. Years later, Maya—and a team of kids—helped me bring the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Workbooks for Kids to life, and seeing kids light up while using these tools reminds me why this work matters so much.
I recently got a message from a parent that really brought this full circle:
“My son is 7, almost 8, and about 2 months ago he started crying at the drop of a hat, often saying he didn’t know why. When he did know, it was something ‘small’ that normally wouldn’t set him off.”
She realized he might be entering the adrenarche phase, a developmental stage (ages 6–8) where hormone changes can make kids more sensitive and reactive. Honestly, this was new to me too!
She shared what happened when they started using my workbook together:
“We are halfway through Volume 1, and he is already so much better at managing his feelings, and he is so proud when he uses one of the tools we learned in the workbook. I sent the link to one of my mom friends—and her son is obsessed too. I want to shout about your workbook from the rooftops—every single person (not just children!) needs these skills!” ❤️
What I love most about the workbook is that it doesn’t make big feelings seem like a problem. Kids learn their emotions are natural, and they gain playful tools to work with them, without the extra “second dart” of shame or self-criticism.
Playful tools kids use when big feelings show up
Here are a few ways kids explore and work with their feelings in the workbook:
- Feelings Habit Animals: Kids learn to notice patterns in how emotions show up, like big feelings, sticky thoughts, or hidden feelings, so emotions feel less confusing and overwhelming.
- The Kids’ Team (common humanity practices): Kids remember they’re not alone and that other kids have these feelings too, which helps reduce shame.
- Freedom to Feel: Kids practice making space for all emotions, including holding more than one feeling at once, instead of trying to push difficult feelings away (you can check out my blog on side-by-side feelings).
These are the kinds of tools families return to again and again when emotions show up at home, at school, or in everyday life.
Want to give it a try? You can take the free Feelings Habit Animal Quiz here. And if you’d like to see kids in action, check out this short video of kids sharing their Feelings Habit Animals — it’s so fun to watch them connect with the skills in their own words (kids start sharing at the 50-second mark)!
If your family is enjoying the workbook or the quiz, you might also like my Parent-Child class. We use the same playful comics and Habit Animals from the workbook to practice self-compassion together—it’s a fun, hands-on way to explore feelings and skills as a family.
Kids have fun while learning these skills, building emotional resilience and self-compassion without ever feeling like there’s something “wrong” with them.
I’d love to hear from you: can you relate to the ups and downs of big feelings—either in your children, students, or even in yourself? If you’ve tried the workbook, quiz, or exercises, how are your kids connecting with them? Are there challenges you’re noticing where I might be able to help? Please comment below and share your stories with me—hearing from you brings me so much joy and helps me know how to support you best.
With warmth and gratitude,
Jamie Lynn
P.S. If your family is enjoying the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Workbook for Kids, Volume 1 or the Feelings Habit Animal Quiz, you might also enjoy my Raising Resilient Kids mini-course. It uses the same playful characters and ideas from the workbook to help families practice these skills together over three weeks.