One of the things I found most useful pre-empting our kids for uncomfortable or stressful situations was asking them the question, “how do you think it’ll be like when ____?”
This was a brainstorming activity we did before I got hospitalized for a number of days which helped them project their discomfort, create ideas and I believe, build resilience.
I didn’t have time to do so but found a lovely friend who helped me develop an album of family photos of our best times together, and an extra photo of me and each child that they could put under their pillow while I was away.
I hope this gives you ideas too the next time you’re away on a work trip or for some other reason!
