It's OK Being Kind to Yourself When Things Feel Hard

This sweet book teaches children 3–7 the simple and profound power of self-compassion through simple affirmations that can be repeated when things are hard.

All too often kids get down on themselves when they experience things that make them sad, angry, guilty, or jealous. It’s amazing how powerful it can be to move past a difficult emotion when we think about all the other people feeling that same way and show ourselves some much needed kindness.   
     
    Sometimes I have to do something I don’t want to do. 
    I feel really angry. . . . 
    Then I remember that everyone feels angry sometimes. 
    I put my hand on my heart, and here’s what I say: 
    “It’s OK—I love you. I’m with you today.” 
 
The main story is followed by 10 exercises focused on ways to develop self-compassion, such as Kind Voice, Kind Body, Kind Touch, and Hugging Breath.

WENDY O’LEARY, MEd, is a mindfulness educator and a certified meditation and yoga teacher with a long-standing personal meditation practice. Wendy’s books are based on her 15-plus years of experience teaching mindfulness and skills for emotional awareness and regulation to children and “their adults.” She is a certified parent educator and an online contributor to Mindful Magazine. She is the co-author of Breathing Makes It Better (Bala Kids, 2019).

SANDRA EIDE is an illustrator living in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and Border Collie. As a child, she either had her head in a book or was doodling her own stories. She is endlessly inspired by animals, nature, and friendships. You can see more of her work at www.sandraeide.com and follow her on Instagram @sandralynneide.