The ability to empathize with others–that is, understand and share others’ feelings– is considered a critical skill for mothers. When our kids are struggling, we want them to know that we understand what they’re going through and share their pain. But, as this excellent article from The Washington Post points out, not all forms of empathy are created equal. Emotional empathy, which involves actually feeling what another person is feeling, can be bad for a caregiver, affecting physical and emotional health. Instead of offering emotional empathy, caregivers should try and offer compassion. When we’re compassionate, we are concerned about another person, but are not so emotionally involved with them that we’re unable to offer them what they truly need–help and support.
How to be empathic
Prev post: How toddler moms can manage anxietyNext post: How I learned to stop overhyping Halloween (and all of the other holidays, too)
You must log in to post a comment.
Mom Brain Book

Proven Strategies to Fight the Anxiety, Guilt, and Overwhelming Emotions of Motherhood—and Relax into Your New Self
About Me

I’m Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco, Ph.D., aka DrCBTMom. DrCBTMom.com combines the expert advice of a self-help book with the warmth and readability of a mommy blog.
Read More