Cultivating child and adolescent self-compassion through parental self-compassion and mindfulness

Parents are the learning models for children and adolescents. When parents embrace mindfulness and self-compassion and demonstrate these attitudes in daily life, children and adolescents may observe and internalize these attitudes as their own. In this chapter, we reviewed the empirical evidence on the intergenerational associations of mindfulness and self-compassion with dyads of parents and children, as well as the effectiveness of mindfulness- and self-compassion-based interventions on promoting self-compassion and well-being among parents and children. We also discussed the theoretical basis and the mechanisms through which parental self-compassion and mindfulness may foster self-compassion and well-being among children and adolescents. Building on other chapters that have discussed the benefits of self-compassion and mindfulness among children and adolescents with special education needs or mental health challenges, we also had some discussions on how cultivating parental self-compassion and mindfulness may indirectly benefit children with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges.