Parents and caregivers experiencing compassion fatigue are often competent people with high expectations for themselves, who may feel overworked and underappreciated. We give the very best of who we are every day, yet all too often struggle to feel like anything we do is good enough. We carry with us beliefs about how a parent or caregiver “should” look, think, feel, act, and be viewed by others. We often expect more from ourselves than we can reasonably give. As caregiving demands add up, our self-image, self-esteem, and sense of worthiness may erode, thus changing our perceptions of ourselves and our children. Our compassion resilience may decline. Understanding, and at times challenging, our own expectations and perception of others’ expectations is key to learning to identify, transform and overcome unrealistic beliefs that may limit our ability to approach others and ourselves with compassion.

Distribute this document to all participants to explore prior to this session

Circle Agenda

Circle Agenda for Section 5, In-Person
Use this agenda if you are leading your group in a session in-person.

Circle Agenda for Section 5, Virtual
Use this agenda if you are leading your group in a session virtually.

Handouts to Support Content Covered in Circle Agenda

Understanding Temperament

Affirmation Worksheet
This activity was also referenced in the Introduction Document for this section. Formatted as a fillable PDF, you can send this document to participants to complete on an electronic device or print and distribute as a hard copy.

Caregiver Bill of Rights

Master PDF of all Materials Needed for this Section

Section Five Master PDF
Use this document to help make printing all materials needed for this section easier.