What does it mean to be a good parent in this difficult time?

The weight of knowing your children face an uncertain future, and not always knowing what to say about it is hard. Climate and eco grief. Exhaustion. Fierce love. Whatever you're carrying, you don't have to carry it alone.

Hear from parents who've joined a circle

A short introduction to what Parent Circles look and feel like.

Spaces for parents and carers to feel seen, heard and understood

What emotions come up for you when you think about the climate and ecological crisis? How do you feel knowing your children face such an uncertain and challenging future, some more so than others?

Parent Circles are small, facilitated spaces where parents, carers, and guardians of children and young people can share difficult feelings about the climate crisis. They're usually online, with facilitators who bring an understanding of the specific concerns that come up for parents and carers, and the impact climate distress has on children and young people.

There's no curriculum, no advice, and no pressure to get it right, just a place to share what you're holding, hear others do the same, and leave feeling a little less alone. Circles are led by two trained facilitators and are offered free or on a pay-what-you-can basis, so cost is never a barrier.

How to join a circle

1

Find an upcoming circle

Parent and Carer Circles run regularly throughout the year, mostly online. Browse the events calendar to find one that works for you.

Browse upcoming circles
2

Book your place

Book through the event listing. Places are free, with an optional pay-what-you-can contribution. If your chosen date is full, join the waiting list, places often open up at short notice.

3

Arrive as you are

Circles run for around 90 minutes with a small group of participants and two facilitators online. You'll be welcomed in, introduced to the format, and invited to share as much or as little as feels right.

4

Leave feeling better resourced

Many people leave feeling lighter, grounded, and more ready to show up for the young people in their lives. And you’re always welcome to come back.

Reading and resources for parents and carers

Curated resources for parents, carers and educators

A small selection of the resources we’ve collected to help those supporting children and young people to navigate the crisis. You’ll find many more in our full library.

Caring for Emotions in Climate Change Education

Co-developed by Dr Louise Edgington and CPA, this Cambridge Educational Guide provides advice on how teachers can support children’s emotional wellbeing when teaching on climate and the environment.

How to talk to your kids about the climate crisis

Accessible and concise guidance by CPA member Caroline Hickman, published via Greenpeace.

What children want us to know about climate change

This brief BBC animation, featuring the perspectives of children, also stems from CPA member Caroline Hickman’s research and provides useful guidance for having conversations with children.

Climate Feelings: Blob Climate Action

A guide and resource for exploring climate emotions with younger children and people who express themselves in non-verbal ways, developed in collaboration between Jo McAndrews (CPA) and Christian Aid.

A Guide to Climate Emotions

A guide to supporting reflection on climate emotions, including the useful climate emotions wheel. By Panu Pihkala with Anya Kamenetz.

The Existential Toolkit for Climate Justice Educators

A book that provides resources for teachers to support the development of emotional and existential tenacity in classrooms so that students can stay engaged.

Browse all parent and career resources
Explore the full research & resources library
Testimonials

What parents and careers say

"We funded CPA's youth programme through our family foundation because we believe young people deserve spaces where their climate feelings are taken seriously. The work CPA is doing is irreplaceable, and we're proud to support it."

Funder

"Thank you so much for facilitating this space. It is very deeply appreciated and has nourished a space for processing the tucked-away pain of traumatic experiences from different points of my climate activism journey, as well as nurtured a sense of social connection to comrades and fellow human beings; from strangers to friends."

Retreat participant

“I felt like I was listened to and encouraged to express my feelings, regardless of what they were”

Support Space for Young Adults participant

"It was a good balance of information, practical tools, advice & reflection/sharing space. I liked having the wellbeing exercises to do in the session, as I often struggle to get myself to do them on my own, and to have someone guide with that. - Deep Resilience for a World in Crisis workshop participant "

Deep Resilience for a World in Crisis workshop participant

"I'm extremely grateful for the weekend. This..held space for grief and healing is exactly what is needed in activism, and I wish for a world where everyone has access to beautiful support like this. Thank you for a wonderful and restorative experience."

Youth Retreat participant

"As a therapist, CPA has been the professional home I didn't realise I needed. It's where I do my deepest thinking."

CPA member and practitioner

"I came looking for support and found a community. CPA gave me language for feelings I didn't know how to name."

Climate café participant

You don't have to carry the climate crisis alone

Whatever you're feeling, there's a seat for you here.

Find a parent circle
Explore Resources for Parents and Carers