The Power of Repair

Location: We will meet at True Food Kitchen (Bethesda) (7100 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20815)

Everyone loses their temper from time to time — but the stakes are dizzyingly high when the focus of your fury is your own child. Clinical psychologist and renowned parenting whisperer Becky Kennedy is here to help. Not only does she have practical advice to help parents manage the guilt and shame of their not-so-great moments but she also models the types of conversations you can have to be a better parent. (Hint: this works in all other relationships too.) Bottom line? It's never too late to reconnect.

Please watch this 14-min video before joining the discussion:
https://youtu.be/PHpPtdk9rco?si=wSMayyG8bBPzVuPb

If more than 10 people join the discussion, we will break out into separate groups.
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1. Repair is a radical act of relational courage. It’s not a fallback for mistakes, but a practice that deepens trust. How can we shift our mindset from fearing relational ruptures to embracing them as openings for greater honesty and trust?
2. Self-compassion is the foundation of repair, allowing us to face hard truths without collapsing into shame. What practices can we put in place to cultivate a grounded inner voice, especially when we fall short of who we want to be?
3. A true repair doesn’t aim to restore comfort, but to restore dignity for both ourselves and the other person. How can we move beyond formulaic apologies and learn to communicate in a way that dignifies the emotional reality of both sides?
4. When we don’t repair, others often carry the emotional cost in silence, especially those with less power. What steps can we take to recognize when someone might be quietly internalizing blame, and how can we intervene with care and responsibility?
5. Repair is not about erasing the past, but about editing its meaning, and thereby reshaping the future. How can we become more intentional about revisiting difficult moments in our relationships to offer a new ending, rather than letting the first draft stand?
6. Even a 15-second repair can undo hours of silent suffering. The key is presence, not perfection. How can we train ourselves to act in those small, critical moments when a few grounded words could shift the emotional trajectory of a relationship?
7. It is never too late. Repair is not about revisiting the past, but about reclaiming integrity in the present. What would change in our lives if we believed that even the hardest conversations can still carry healing, no matter how long it’s been?

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To provide an enjoyable experience for fellow participants, here are three ground rules during discussion events:

1. Step up and step back. (If you feel that you’ve been talking too much, step back to listen more. If you feel that you’ve been relatively quiet, step up to share your perspective or ask a question)
2. Listen to understand, not to respond.
3. Be open-minded and value differences.