Boundaries and compassion.

As we work with, raise and support children, many of us struggle with setting boundaries because we believe that those boundaries will make us seem less caring or compassionate. Unfortunately, not setting boundaries and allowing young people to engage in bad behavior or get away with that behavior leads to negative outcomes for you and them.

It is much easier to be straight forward with what is OK and not OK, setting boundaries right from the start. This helps to reduce anxiety or stress about what is appropriate and not appropriate within your relationship with a young person.

Dr. Brene Brown, research professor at the University of Texas Houston, talks more about how to set boundaries and stay compassionate. Examine your assumptions about boundaries and identify one to set with a young person in your life this week.