際際滷

際際滷Share a Scribd company logo

Compassion fatigue for parents

Download as PPT, PDF
Brenda McCreight
Brenda McCreight

The document discusses parental compassion fatigue (CF), which replaces the term "parenting burnout". CF is a physical, emotional, and spiritual fatigue experienced by parents that causes a decline in their ability to experience joy or care for their child and themselves. It develops over time due to giving more to family life than receiving. Parents at risk include those without breaks, an unhappy marriage, too many responsibilities, or feeling isolated and unsupported. Symptoms include blaming others, isolating, using substances, and chronic illnesses. To overcome CF, parents must acknowledge it, seek help, develop a self-care plan involving healthy activities, and prevent CF through self-care, fulfilling activities, and positive relationships.

1 of 19
Downloaded 42 times
For Parents By Brenda McCreight Ph.D. Hazardous Parenting http://www.hazardousparenting.com
What is Parental CF? Has replaced the term parenting burn out but can be confused with, and can co-exist with, depression and with primary trauma Is a physical, emotional, and spiritual fatigue that takes over a parent and causes a decline in his or her ability to experience joy at home or to feel and care for her child and herself The parent is giving far more than s/he is receiving from family life ---- way more
Reasons for Parental CF Your child doesnt meet any of your normal emotional needs and takes all of your attention and time an energy. You picked up negative attitudes from others parents who are in the same situation and from your childs never ending hostility. You dont see an end to this. Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
Who Gets CF? Parents who dont get a break or respite Parents who dont have other children who are rewarding, at least some of the time Parents whose marriage is unstable or unhappy Parents who have too much to do in too many places Parents who feel isolated and not understood or supported Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
Compassion Fatigue Compassion fatigue is the result of caring for your child without caring for yourself When parents focus on everyone else without practicing self care, then destructive emotions, destructive feelings, and destructive behaviours can result Compassion fatigue does not occur overnight, it develops over time Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue Blaming others, complains about too much, too often Not expressing emotions in a healthy manner Isolating from other friends or family Using substances to sleep or shut off feelings Compulsive behaviours such as overeating, over spending, over exercising, gambling, sex Nightmares, flashbacks to old traumas Chronic physical ailments Apathy, no fun in life Tired all the time Pre-occupied In denial Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
Bruised doesnt mean broken!
First Steps to Overcoming Parental CF Acknowledge that you have it Tell others whom you trust that you are experiencing CF Take time to think about how you developed CF and how you can grow beyond it Start thinking about who/what/where you can turn for help Develop a self care plan Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
Self Care Be kind to yourself, its okay to put yourself first Increase your knowledge in parenting a child with your childs specific needs Get yourself into situations where at lest some of your needs are met Exchange feelings with others who can validate you without enabling you Exercise Clarify and set firm personal boundaries Express your needs strongly with an expectation that they will be met Make a realistic self care plan and stick with it Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
Self Care Plan Health building activities such as exercise, meditation, biofeedback Eating healthier Drink lots of water Learn to say no, using boundaries Create a healthy support team who can go for a walk with you at lunch? Choose your battles and choose who you battle with Focus your time and energy on the parts of your life that are rewarding and fulfilling Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
CF Prevention Use fundamental self care skills Find and experience positive, fulfilling activities outside of the home and family Work on your adult personal relationships keep them positive and growth filled Look for joy points in every day life Be open to change Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
1. _____ I am happy 2. _____ I get satisfaction from being able to help other people 3. _____ I feel connected to others 4. _____ I jump or am startled by unexpected sounds Self Test 5. _____I have more energy after working with those I help Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
More 6. _____I find it difficult to separate my overall life from my life as a parent 7._____ I am losing sleep over my child 8._____ I think I have been infected by my childs trauma 9. _____I feel trapped by my role as this childs parent 10.____I like my life as this childs parent Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
More 11. ____I feel depressed as a result of being this childs parent 12.____ I have beliefs that sustain me 13.____ I feel pleased with how I am able to keep up with knowledge about my childs special needs 14. ____ I am the person I always wanted to be 15.____My family life makes me satisfied Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
More 16. ____I am exhausted from being a parent 17.____ I have happy thoughts and feelings about those I help and how I could help them 18. I feel overwhelmed by the amount of expectations everyone places on me 19. I believe I can make a difference through my parenting 20. I avoid certain situations or activities because they remind me of my life at home Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
More 21. ____ I plan to be actively parenting for a long time 22. ____ As a result of my parenting I have sudden, unwanted thoughts 23.____I feel bogged down by the system 24.____ I have thoughts that I am a success as a parent 25.____I cant remember good parts of my day at the end of the day Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
More 26. _____ I am an overly sensitive person 27. I m happy that I chose to parent this child Add up yours and see if you have more positive or negative Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
Take care of yourself! Remember, no one can take better care of you than..you. You deserve the best of yourself and you deserve to have joy in your life. You are entitled to a better daynow and forever. Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
Thank you for sharing this time with me You can check out other services and products at these sites: http://www.lifespancounselling.com http://www.theadoptioncounselor.com http://www.hazardousparenting.com The Hazardous Parenting facebook site Udemy.com (search under Brenda McCreight) 際際滷share.com (search under Brenda McCreight) Amazon.com (search under Brenda McCreight) brendamccreight@gmail.com Brenda provides counselling and parent coaching worldwide via skype, telephone, and email please contact her by email if you would like to book an appointment.

More Related Content

Compassion fatigue for parents

  • 1. For Parents By Brenda McCreight Ph.D. Hazardous Parenting http://www.hazardousparenting.com
  • 2. What is Parental CF? Has replaced the term parenting burn out but can be confused with, and can co-exist with, depression and with primary trauma Is a physical, emotional, and spiritual fatigue that takes over a parent and causes a decline in his or her ability to experience joy at home or to feel and care for her child and herself The parent is giving far more than s/he is receiving from family life ---- way more
  • 3. Reasons for Parental CF Your child doesnt meet any of your normal emotional needs and takes all of your attention and time an energy. You picked up negative attitudes from others parents who are in the same situation and from your childs never ending hostility. You dont see an end to this. Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 4. Who Gets CF? Parents who dont get a break or respite Parents who dont have other children who are rewarding, at least some of the time Parents whose marriage is unstable or unhappy Parents who have too much to do in too many places Parents who feel isolated and not understood or supported Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 5. Compassion Fatigue Compassion fatigue is the result of caring for your child without caring for yourself When parents focus on everyone else without practicing self care, then destructive emotions, destructive feelings, and destructive behaviours can result Compassion fatigue does not occur overnight, it develops over time Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 6. Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue Blaming others, complains about too much, too often Not expressing emotions in a healthy manner Isolating from other friends or family Using substances to sleep or shut off feelings Compulsive behaviours such as overeating, over spending, over exercising, gambling, sex Nightmares, flashbacks to old traumas Chronic physical ailments Apathy, no fun in life Tired all the time Pre-occupied In denial Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 8. First Steps to Overcoming Parental CF Acknowledge that you have it Tell others whom you trust that you are experiencing CF Take time to think about how you developed CF and how you can grow beyond it Start thinking about who/what/where you can turn for help Develop a self care plan Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 9. Self Care Be kind to yourself, its okay to put yourself first Increase your knowledge in parenting a child with your childs specific needs Get yourself into situations where at lest some of your needs are met Exchange feelings with others who can validate you without enabling you Exercise Clarify and set firm personal boundaries Express your needs strongly with an expectation that they will be met Make a realistic self care plan and stick with it Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 10. Self Care Plan Health building activities such as exercise, meditation, biofeedback Eating healthier Drink lots of water Learn to say no, using boundaries Create a healthy support team who can go for a walk with you at lunch? Choose your battles and choose who you battle with Focus your time and energy on the parts of your life that are rewarding and fulfilling Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 11. CF Prevention Use fundamental self care skills Find and experience positive, fulfilling activities outside of the home and family Work on your adult personal relationships keep them positive and growth filled Look for joy points in every day life Be open to change Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 12. 1. _____ I am happy 2. _____ I get satisfaction from being able to help other people 3. _____ I feel connected to others 4. _____ I jump or am startled by unexpected sounds Self Test 5. _____I have more energy after working with those I help Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 13. More 6. _____I find it difficult to separate my overall life from my life as a parent 7._____ I am losing sleep over my child 8._____ I think I have been infected by my childs trauma 9. _____I feel trapped by my role as this childs parent 10.____I like my life as this childs parent Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 14. More 11. ____I feel depressed as a result of being this childs parent 12.____ I have beliefs that sustain me 13.____ I feel pleased with how I am able to keep up with knowledge about my childs special needs 14. ____ I am the person I always wanted to be 15.____My family life makes me satisfied Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 15. More 16. ____I am exhausted from being a parent 17.____ I have happy thoughts and feelings about those I help and how I could help them 18. I feel overwhelmed by the amount of expectations everyone places on me 19. I believe I can make a difference through my parenting 20. I avoid certain situations or activities because they remind me of my life at home Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 16. More 21. ____ I plan to be actively parenting for a long time 22. ____ As a result of my parenting I have sudden, unwanted thoughts 23.____I feel bogged down by the system 24.____ I have thoughts that I am a success as a parent 25.____I cant remember good parts of my day at the end of the day Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 17. More 26. _____ I am an overly sensitive person 27. I m happy that I chose to parent this child Add up yours and see if you have more positive or negative Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 18. Take care of yourself! Remember, no one can take better care of you than..you. You deserve the best of yourself and you deserve to have joy in your life. You are entitled to a better daynow and forever. Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
  • 19. Thank you for sharing this time with me You can check out other services and products at these sites: http://www.lifespancounselling.com http://www.theadoptioncounselor.com http://www.hazardousparenting.com The Hazardous Parenting facebook site Udemy.com (search under Brenda McCreight) 際際滷share.com (search under Brenda McCreight) Amazon.com (search under Brenda McCreight) brendamccreight@gmail.com Brenda provides counselling and parent coaching worldwide via skype, telephone, and email please contact her by email if you would like to book an appointment.