We all like to know others are thinking about us even when they are not with us. Siblings in particular really need to know that their parents think about them a lot. They already know you think a lot about their disabled brother or sister.
What can you do to let your child know you have been thinking about them when they’ve been at school or when you have been away?
Try these:
- Write some nice thoughts you’ve had about your sibling child and give it to them after school.
- Just say that you’ve been thinking about them.
- Bring something back specially for them when you’ve been away. This doesn’t need to be a present – it could be some leaves, a piece of junk they might want to build with or make a picture with, something from a magazine or newspaper you thought they’d like, saving them a slice of cake from an event.
- If you have to stay in hospital with your other child, make a short phone call, send a postcard or a letter.
- For younger children, take one of their favourite small toys with you when you next go out (e.g. to do the food shop or to work). Take 3-4 photos of the toy in different places. Later on, show your child the adventures their toy has been on that day.
- For older children, send a text or WhatsApp with a funny GIF or link to a song they love.