Have Compassion

General

1. Treat yourself as you would a good friend
2. Revisit your expectations and go easy on yourself
3. Acknowledge when things are hard for you and for others
4. Create space for small acts of self-care. Self-compassion requires practice
5. Practice journaling. Try writing a letter to yourself from the perspective of a compassionate friend
6. Demonstrate compassion for others, especially those who disagree with you
7. Don’t engage in divisive conversations
8. Have patience. Recognize that this is a high-stress time for everybody
9. Reach out to people you know are struggling
10. During this global pandemic, one of the most important ways to help others is by wearing a mask and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19
11. If you have the means, look for ways to help people you know are struggling financially

For Teens

1. Normalize the challenges of adolescence
2. Validate your teen’s feelings. Their frustration with pandemic-related changes and constraints is well-earned
3. Model self-compassion. Let your kids hear you say kind things about yourself
4. Help your teens to be mindful of the needs of others

For Kids

1. Teach your kid to recognize their own feelings. Help them to acknowledge when they feel happy or sad
2. Explicitly state your feelings and/or mood to your kids from time to time
3. Point out kindness when you see it. Talk to your children about ways people have shown kindness to your family
4. Involve your kids in acts of service, however small their role may be. Encourage them to donate a toy or book
5. Read books with compassion themes