Do you find parenting so challenging that it sometimes leads you to doubt yourself? Self-compassion is your key to acknowledging and validating your feelings without judgment.
Join Dina Sargeant and Ann Manning as they share expert knowledge on incorporating self-compassion into the parenting journey and discuss effective and practical strategies for cultivating your parenting environment.
Meet Ann Manning
Ann Manning originally studied psychology at Monash University, earning a B Sc (Hons) in 1973, then pursued a career in children’s and community theater while teaching in the Drama Department at the University of Newcastle. She was introduced to meditation at the age of 29 and spent the following seven years increasing her experience at meditation centers worldwide.
After returning to Australia, she shifted her interest towards homeopathy. She graduated with an Adv Dip Hom from the Sydney College of Homeopathic Medicine in 2002 and has been a practicing homeopath in Sydney ever since.
Ann is currently the national president of the Australian Homeopathic Association. She began teaching courses based on mindful self-compassion in 2018 and conducts one-on-one mindfulness training sessions that incorporate self-compassion and other therapeutic mindfulness practices.
About the episode
In this episode of Raising Parents, Ann Manning defines parenting as a delicate balance between unconditional love and guidance. She also delves deep into the transformative power of self-compassion in parenting. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on being aware of the “here and now” and nonjudgmentally accepting your feelings and reactions.
Ann believes that mindfulness allows parents to respond to challenging situations with a better perspective and higher resilience. She also highlights the importance of the Mindful Self-Compassion course, placing great emphasis on how it affected her life personally.
According to Ann, parents’ love and support create a strong foundation for the child’s well-being. She explains that the concept of self-compassion in the context of parenting comprises three key components: mindfulness, awareness of common humanity, and kindness. She also advises parents to use the concept of the mammalian care system.
Maintaining a calm and compassionate attitude is essential, even during frustrating moments. She further emphasizes the essentiality of self-awareness and regaining equilibrium in parenting. During the episode, Ann highlights that parents’ inner state is as important as their external actions in connecting with their children on a deeper level.
Ann highlights that parents must continually readjust their approach to parenting as their children grow and change in order to maintain a strong and authentic connection. Throughout the episode, she reflects on the challenges and barriers faced by parents when trying to be self-compassionate in mindful parenting. For her, parenting has a rather dynamic and evolving nature.
According to Ann, one misconception about self-compassion is that it entails weakness and self-indulgence. She illustrates several guided self-compassion meditation practices and concludes with the positive note that self-compassion and mindfulness improve families’ overall well-being by encouraging growth and understanding within the family.
In conclusion
This episode explores the importance of self-compassion in parenting, emphasizing self-compassion’s three key components: mindfulness, awareness of common humanity, and kindness. Self-compassion helps parents navigate difficult situations with improved perspective and greater resilience, creating a nurturing atmosphere that benefits both parents and children.
By encouraging parents to embrace self-compassion, prioritize love, and adjust their approach as their children grow, this episode offers valuable insights for enhancing overall family well-being and fostering deeper connections between parents and their children.
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