Open When Cards: Encourage Kids Facing a Challenge

Sonya Lopez is sharing her awesome idea to help encourage a child who is facing a challenge.  She says:

My daughter is getting a little nervous for her first overnight camp so I made these “open when” cards.  They were:

• Open when: You get to camp.  This one was explaining that the “open when” cards are like hugs from home.
• Open when: You wake up on your first day of camp.  This one had a list of positive affirmations.
• Open when: You had a rough day.
• Open when: You feel worried.
• Open when: You meet a new best friend.  This one had friendship bracelet string added or chewing gum to share.
• Open when: You are homesick.
• Open when: You miss your friends.  For this one we had a little going away dinner and all of her friends secretly signed a little card I stuck in.
• Open when: You try something new.
• Open when: You feel wiped out.
• Open when: You want a hug from a friend.
• Open when: It’s your last day.

I stuck all the cards and envelopes into one big envelope and I’ll give them to her the day of camp!  She is sensitive and can be a little nervous at times so I thought it was like a little “in case of emergency” or “awesomeness hugs” stored for her.

We also made a deal to both look at the moon every night so we could know we both looked at the same moon and were therefore kind of still together.

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Thanks Sonya for sharing your fabulous idea to support your daughter, we love it!  This idea could be modified for many different purposes such as when a child starts school, moves away, or loses a friend or family member.

You can view lots of other activities to help kids grow and build character – plus free printables, puppet shows and more – on this page.

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Resources that Teach Kids to Build Healthy Friendships {Free Printables}

To submit your idea for helping children grow, email chelsea@momentsaday.com with your activity description and photo for consideration.