The Family Path - Learn to develop greater self-compassion

28.8.2023 13.15Updated:29.8.2023 6.58

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 online course 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. The online course is available throughout 2023.

Self-compassion supports parenting during difficult moments

Self-compassion is about relating to yourself in a kind and understanding manner, even in difficult moments. It facilitates one’s ability to face one's own difficult feelings and thoughts in a balanced and accepting way. Self-compassion has also been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and exhaustion as well as feelings of guilt and shame. 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.

From 1 February to 31 May 2023, The Family Path online course was accessed a total of 797 times in Western Uusimaa. There was a total of 631 registrations from Espoo, 51 from Lohja, 33 from Kirkkonummi, 32 from Vihti, 17 from Kauniainen, 10 from Karkkila, 7 from Hanko, 6 from Raasepori, 5 from Inkoo, and 5 from Siuntio. A total of 609 users from the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County registered for the Finnish-language course. There were 49 Swedish-speaking users and 139 English-speaking users. 70% of users found the service either through a friend’s recommendation or online advertising.

The online course is available throughout 2023. User numbers will be reviewed at the end of November, and a decision regarding the continuation of the online course will be made based on them.

94% of users found the course beneficial

Overall, 95% were satisfied with the content and 94% found it useful. In written feedback, clients particularly praised the sections on converting one’s burdensome thoughts into “power phrases.” The gratitude exercise was also deemed beneficial, as it guided users to focus on the “good that already is.” Many comments also praised the “self-compassion test” and the “compassionate letter to the child I once was” exercise. “I felt that in these sections, I got to the root causes affecting my self-compassion.”

Links to the online course

The online course consists of three learning modules. The material is available in Finnish and Swedish. Furthermore, the course for families with small children (0–6 years of age) is available in English as well.

Registration is required to access the course materials. After registration, you will be able to log in to the course

In Finnish: www.perhepolku.fi/verkkokurssi(external link)
In Swedish: https://perhepolku.fi/sv/kurs(external link)
In English: https://perhepolku.fi/en/course(external link)