Taking the child’s favourites between homes
When children go between Mum’s place and Dad’s place, whether it be on weekends, for one week or a night, we all want the transition to be as best as it can be for the child. Sharing some things between homes can be difficult and stressful. However, the child having certain comforts may make the transition easier.
Five ways to keep track of the toys/comforts:
1. Have a bag to keep everything in.
2. Have a list written in the bag with what the bag contains.
3. Maybe even tie ribbons on things….pink for Mum’s house and blue for Dad’s house!
4. Look after the belongings.
5. Keep the belongings clean and hygienic.
And then watch the child’s face as he or she is driven away cuddling their special toy or blanket. It can also be nice for the parents to think that while their child is sleeping, at the other parent’s house, they are cuddling something that smells of and reminds them of their other home!
A couple of useful resources:
1) From the website: “Questions Kids Have”
The Listeners Get Two Homes
written and illustrated by Gaye Dell
Helping families that no longer live together.
This picture-story book features the “Listener Sock Puppet Family”. A cartoon family that is neither gender nor culturally biased and helps communicate ideas that reassure people of all ages who find themselves in difficult circumstances. The Listener family in this book find themselves living in two homes as the Mum and Dad have decided to separate. The story is a comforting one, reminding children that they are No. 1 in the family and that in time, they will feel better about the living arrangements of their parents. Also included is a couple of activities to help the reader remember important family days.
$12.95
Buy Online
2) From Fishpond.com.au
Two Homes
This reassuring classic for younger children which addresses separation and divorce and helps kids embrace even the most difficult of changes is now in paperback. Full colour.
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