Share this:

This transformative two-session workshop peels back the layers on a powerful yet rarely addressed emotion that parents and caregivers commonly experience: shame.

Research shows that parents are more likely than non-parents to feel moral emotions like shame and guilt, which often occur together. While guilt is well-known and can be helpful, shame is also all too common and causes people to disconnect and turn away, sabotaging connection, learning and growth.

Session 1 creates the foundation by exploring what shame is (and how it's different from guilt), why parents are particularly vulnerable to it, and how it shows up in our everyday work with families. Through research-backed insights, videos of parents sharing their experiences, and reflective exercises, you'll develop a fulsome understanding of shame and guilt in parenthood and begin recognizing how it may be impacting the parents you work with, and influencing the interactions and relationship between you and them.

Session 2 moves into application, focusing on creating shame-aware spaces and practices that can transform your engagement with parents and caregivers. We will discuss practical communication techniques that help counter shame, and strategies to build stronger connections .As most of us inevitably feel shame, we will also learn about building shame-resilience - a capacity to disrupt and regulate shame- for ourselves and others. 

Whether you're struggling to connect with parents, navigating defensive responses, or simply exploring new ideas to enhance parent engagement, this workshop offers a novel lens (and practical tools) that can help transform your approaches towards building more effective, trusting relationships with parents.

“Connection is the antidote to shame. When we understand shame, we unlock a door to deeper, more effective work with parents—because it's not what we say, but how we make them feel, that makes all the difference.” Dr. Angela Low 

Learning Objectives

Understanding Shame and Guilt in Parenthood - Foundation (Session 1):

• Learn about the moral emotions of shame and guilt- distinguishing the roles they play, and how they affect functioning, mental health and well-being
• Explore shame triggers, and how shame hijacks learning and connection
• Understand the evolutionary and social reasons why parents and caregivers are especially prone to feeling shame and guilt
• Analyze modern parenting pressures and cultural expectations and how these relate to feeling shame
• Explore how parent shame may be impacting engagement, connection and relationship building with parents and caregivers 

Developing Shame-Aware Practice (Session 2):

• Reflect on how parent shame may be impacting current engagement and relationship-building efforts
• Identify potential shame triggers within existing practices, interactions, and environments
• Learn about communication techniques and practical strategies that counter shame and foster greater connection 
• Explore the concept of shame resilience, and develop personal and professional strategies for building it 
• Create a personalized action plan for implementing shame-aware practices and strengthening connections with parents 

Who Should Attend

Educators, counselors, social workers, youth development professionals, childcare providers, family support specialists, and anyone working to support the well-being of children and families.

Dates and Times

Tuesday, December 9th and Wednesday, December 10th 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST. 

About the Facilitator 

Dr. Angela Low, PhD, is an expert in emotional intelligence committed to fostering resilience and social and emotional competence in children and the adults around them. As a research geek with a love for human connection and stories, Angela creates workshops that translate emotion and child development research into useful nuggets of information and practical strategies that participants can use right away to enhance their personal and professional effectiveness and well-being. 

An adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia and a researcher at Simon Fraser University, Angela focuses on social and emotional development and mental health promotion. As an educator and mother of two school-aged kids, she is especially passionate about helping to transform education, healthcare and community practices to better support educators and parents in the hard work of raising resilient kids in this rapidly changing world.

The price of this training is per person. 

This workshop is not guaranteed to run. We need a minimum number of participants. 

This training will be taking place online via Zoom, and registered participants will be emailed a meeting link.