A Friend in Me —Self-Compassion for Kids and their Caregivers
This four-week mindfulness program is a unique opportunity for children and their caregivers. It is designed to develop self-compassion, empathy, and resilience in children ages 7-11. Children and up to 2 caregivers attend class for 1 hour and 30 minutes each week. This program can benefit any child in learning valuable social-emotional skills, but especially those who struggle with self-acceptance, connection with others, feelings of being overwhelmed, and low frustration tolerance. In the first session, caregivers will also have a short meeting to learn some valuable mindfulness and self-compassion skills to practice as parents as well as tips for keeping the practice going at home with their kids. Kids will enjoy mindfully eating snacks, playing games and completing special projects during the parent session.
The classes engage children in a variety of ways and foster meaningful connection with their peers and caregivers through brief videos, games, art, lively dialogue and mindful movement, and mindfulness meditation practice.
The class runs Thursdays from 4-5:30pm from March 26-April 16.
Cost is $200, due at the time of class. $50 of this fee is due at time of registration to reserve your spot.
If your family would like to enroll multiple children in your family, each additional child is just $50. While the class is geared for ages 7-11, children who are ages 6 or 12 may also be admitted if appropriate after screening.
Siblings may not be left unattended in the waiting room during the class.
Class Outline:
Week 1 Learning to be Kind to Myself: skills in self-compassion/Becoming a Mindfulness Detective: skills in mindfulness
Week 2 Growing Kindness-Uncovering a Brave Heart: skills in loving-kindness/Discovering my Superhero-The Kind, Compassionate Part of Me: skills in overcoming the inner bully
Week 3 Taming Your Inner Dragon-Getting to Know Your Big Emotions: skills in self-regulation
Week 4 Finding Gratitude and Appreciation for all the Good Things in Life: skills in growing positive emotions and mind states
What participants are saying:
“Not only have my 7-year old's camp counselors noted a positive difference in his behavior since we began using the practices learned in the "A Friend in Me" course, but the mindfulness and compassion practices are so simple and effective I plan to share some of them with other lawyers whose awareness and mental resilience are tested when trying cases.”
"This class has equipped me with so many tools to help my child with her emotions and mine, as well. It has helped me be a better parent and brought us closer together. I don’t want it to end!!
To learn more contact Amy Balentine using the Contact Us Button at the top of this page or email her at
amy.balentine@mc4ml.com
Mindfulness Teacher
Amy Balentine
Amy Balentine is a clinical psychologist and founder of the Memphis Center for Mindful Living. Additionally, she teaches mindfulness at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Center for Mindfulness. She is co-creator of A Friend in Me program.