Are you a parent whose child will leave home this autumn to go to university? Or maybe your child is preparing or has even left on a gap or placement year abroad?

We know this can be a challenging time of transition for our teens and young adults. And it also represents a time of significant transition for parents too.

For parents this marks the end of one life stage and the beginning of another. Often, parents have mixed emotions about the experience as they juggle this ending alongside career pressures, elderly parents and other children all at the same time.

In this episode Louise speaks to Kim Stokes from Kindness for Success about how parents can support themselves through this time of transition with kindness.

In this episode we discuss:

• The importance of recognising that this is a transition for both parents and their young adults.
• Why times of transition like this can feel challenging.
• What parents can do to show themselves kindness.
• Why it is important that this is modelled for our children.
• Kim shares her K.I.N.D framework helping parents to balance encouragement, support and self-care, ensuring kindness remains at the heart of this transition journey.

You can download a copy of Kim’s K.I.N.D framework HERE for free and learn more about Kim HERE

Other episodes which may be of interest to parents:

• Empty Nest Reflections: Fresh perspectives with Professor Paul Grantham Episode 89 HERE
• A Parents Story: Pippa. Navigating the Waters of University Transitions, Episode 88 HERE
• Caring for Yourself When You’re the One Who Remains: A Message for Stayers In Times of Change & Transition Episode 79 HERE

When students embark on new adventures like starting university they can hit some challenges along the way:

• Friendship issues
• Academic disappointments
• Homesickness
• Overwhelm with so much to do

It is at these times it is important to be your own best friend. In this episode, Kim shares:

• Why self kindness is so important.
• What self kindness looks like, and why it is definitely not about being 'soft' on you.
• Why and how kindness is contagious and why it's worth spreading it around.
• Her Self Kindness Compass, you can download the Tool Kim guides us through in this episode HERE.
• Learn more about Kim HERE

Enjoy the episode and if you want to listen to more on the topic of self-care and self-compassion these episodes will be helpful:

Nurturing Self-Compassion Episode 5 HERE

Understanding Our Inner World Episode 32 HERE

This is a great listen for students who are about to go to university and for teachers and parents who are supporting this transition.

In the podcast, Elizabeth interviews Diana as she talks of Wise Effort focused work with college bound students and those who are new to university life. She reminds us that it’s a time of rapid growth and opportunity for young adults with the need for intentional care.

Listen to Diana as she shares her experiences, encourages self-reflection through questions and leads us in a meditation practice that connects us with others.

• Preparing the practical and psychological ground to prime students for success
• The role of self-care and self-compassion.
• How Diana chartered her own path at college with her mess becoming her message.
• Exploring and living your values as a guide to being your best
• Wise Effort through being curious about where you put your energy to do the things you want to do.

Dr Diana Hill is based in Santa Barbara California. She is a clinical psychologist, international trainer, and sought-out speaker and leadership coach on Wise Effort and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Website https://drdianahill.com/services

Her podcast – Wise Effort is a great listen.

Number of publications: ACT Daily Journal and The Self-Compassion Daily Journal – both could be useful self-study guides to the move to university.

Diana's new Book – Wise Effort will be available in September 2025