Family Path helps parents to develop self-compassion – free online course for parents!
For the duration of 2023, the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County is offering the Family Path online course free of charge to all families with children aged 0–16.
The purpose of Family Path is to help you as a parent to develop a greater sense of compassion towards yourself and to support compassionate interactions with your partner and family. Self-compassion has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression and exhaustion. Additionally, self-compassion supports positive interaction between couples, and compassionate parenting promotes the child's development.
The online course consists of research and expert information, tests, reflective exercises and peer stories from families.
The materials of the Family Path online course (3 sessions) are available in Finnish and Swedish. Furthermore, the course for families with small children (0–6 years of age) is available in English as well.
Families can complete the online course independently at: https://perhepolku.fi/en/course(external link)
Registration is required to access the course materials. After registration, you will be able to log in to the course.
Self-compassion helps during difficult moments
Self-compassion is about relating to yourself in a kind and understanding manner, even in difficult moments.
It also involves understanding the humanity of each person and the ability to face one's own difficult feelings and thoughts in a balanced and accepting way.
Self-compassion supports parenting during difficult moments and reduces the feelings of guilt and shame.
Self-criticism is related to parental stress. Self-compassion can be developed through practice.
“Self-compassion is a significant resource for coping both at work and in everyday life,” says Tellervo Uljas, doctoral researcher and developer of the Family Path course.