Embedded Files
Teen Wannabes (ages 5-9) ⬇️
Books can help children explore complicated feelings, discover characters who share their experiences, and understand that they are never alone.
Visiting Day — Jacqueline Woodson
A beautifully illustrated story about a young girl preparing to visit her father in prison. This book explores love, anticipation, and maintaining family connections during incarceration.
Far Apart, Close in Heart: Being a Family When a Loved One Is Incarcerated — Becky Birtha
Through the experiences of several children, this book explores the different emotions that can accompany having an incarcerated family member, including sadness, anger, embarrassment, and love.
The Invisible String — Patrice Karst
A comforting story about the invisible connections that tie us to the people we love, even when we cannot be together. Especially helpful for children experiencing separation or missing someone important.
The Huge Beard of Mr. Aspinwall — Amy Young
A playful story about being different, embracing individuality, and learning that what makes us unique can also make us special.
Caregiver tip: Allow children to choose which stories interest them. Reading together can open the door to meaningful conversations, but children should never feel pressured to discuss their own experiences.
Children often express emotions more comfortably through play, creativity, and movement than through direct conversations. These simple activities encourage connection and help children explore their feelings at their own pace.
My Feelings Weather Report
Ask your child to draw their feelings as weather. Are they feeling sunny, cloudy, stormy, or somewhere in between? Remind them that, just like the weather, feelings can change—and every feeling is okay.
The Connection Jar
Decorate a jar together and fill it with small notes, drawings, or memories of people who are important to your child. They can add something whenever they want to remember a happy moment or feel connected to someone they miss.
My Superpowers Shield
Help your child create a colorful shield divided into sections representing their strengths, talents, favorite things, and people who support them. This activity reinforces that their identity is made up of so much more than their family's circumstances.
Letters, Drawings & Messages
Invite your child to write letters, draw pictures, or create cards for someone they miss. These can be mailed when appropriate and permitted, saved in a memory box, or kept private. The important part is giving children a way to express themselves.
Friendship & Kindness Challenge
Together, brainstorm small acts of kindness your child can practice throughout the week. Talk about what makes someone a good friend and how it feels to be included, supported, and understood.
Caregiver tip: Focus on participation rather than the finished product. There is no right or wrong way for a child to express their feelings through art or play.
Children ages 5–9 may have big questions and complicated emotions about incarceration, separation, and family relationships. Gentle, open-ended conversations can help them feel safe expressing themselves without fear of judgment.
Understanding Feelings
What is something that made you happy today?
Did anything happen today that made you feel sad, worried, or frustrated?
If your feelings had a color today, what color would they be?
Can you love someone and feel angry with them at the same time?
Family & Connection
What is something you wish you could tell someone you miss?
What is your favorite memory with someone you love?
What helps you feel close to someone when you cannot see them?
Is there anything about our family that you wish other people understood?
Friendships & Belonging
What makes you feel included when you're with other children?
What does a good friend do when someone is feeling sad?
Has anyone ever said something that hurt your feelings?
Who are the people you feel comfortable being yourself around?
Confidence & Self-Worth
What are three things you really like about yourself?
What is something you've done recently that made you proud?
If someone says something unkind about your family, what could you do?
What would you like grown-ups to understand about how you're feeling?
Caregiver tip: Listen without rushing to correct, reassure, or solve every feeling. Sometimes the most powerful response is simply, “Thank you for telling me. I'm glad you shared that with me.”
Remember: Children do not need to choose between loving someone and feeling hurt, angry, or disappointed by them. All of those emotions can exist together, and every child deserves a safe place to express them.
Tweens (ages 10-12) ⬇️
Things to Read
Things to Read
The tween years are full of changes, growing independence, and big emotions. Books can help young readers make sense of complicated family situations, explore different perspectives, and discover that their experiences do not define who they are.
From the Desk of Zoe Washington — Janae Marks
When 12-year-old Zoe receives a letter from her incarcerated father, she begins asking questions about her family, her identity, and the truth. A powerful story about courage, connection, friendship, and finding your own voice.
Harbor Me — Jacqueline Woodson
Six students discover the power of having a place where they can share their stories without judgment. Exploring family separation, incarceration, friendship, and belonging, this novel reminds readers that everyone deserves to be heard.
The Rock in My Throat — Kao Kalia Yang
Based on the author's childhood experiences, this illustrated story follows a young girl struggling to find her voice in a world where she feels misunderstood. A moving reminder that being quiet doesn't mean having nothing to say.
For caregivers: Let your tween choose books that interest them. Some children find comfort in stories that reflect their experiences, while others prefer books that offer an escape. Both are valuable.
Things to Try
Things to Try
Tweens are discovering who they are, what matters to them, and how they want to express themselves. These activities encourage creativity, independence, confidence, and healthy ways to navigate difficult emotions.
1. Create Your Own Coping Toolbox
Make a list or decorate a small box with things that help when emotions feel overwhelming. Include favorite songs, comforting objects, encouraging notes, drawing supplies, or ideas for activities that help you feel better.
2. Journaling Without Rules
Use a notebook, sketchbook, or private journal to write, doodle, make lists, or express whatever is on your mind. Try prompts like “Something I wish people understood about me” or “Three things that made today better.”
3. Express Yourself Creatively
Explore photography, painting, music, poetry, or collage-making. Create something that represents who you are, how you feel, or what you hope for. You don't have to share your work with anyone unless you want to.
4. Build Your Connection Circle
Draw a circle with your name in the middle. Around it, add people who help you feel safe, supported, and accepted. Think about different people you can turn to when you need advice, encouragement, or simply someone to listen.
5. Capture the Good
Start a photo collection, scrapbook, or list of small moments that make you smile. A funny conversation, a beautiful sunset, a favorite snack, or a good day with friends all count. Difficult days and happy moments can exist together.
6. Get Outside and Reset
Take a walk, ride your bike, explore a park, or spend time in nature. Notice five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste, if appropriate. This grounding exercise can help bring your attention back to the present.
For caregivers: Give tweens choices and respect their privacy. The goal isn't to get them to reveal their feelings—it's to help them discover healthy ways to understand and express them.
Things to Discuss
Things to Discuss
Growing up can be complicated, especially when your family is navigating circumstances that other people may not understand. These questions are designed to encourage meaningful conversations, build trust, and remind tweens that their thoughts and feelings matter.
Understanding Yourself
Understanding Yourself
What's something about yourself that you're really proud of?
When do you feel most comfortable being yourself?
What's something you wish adults understood about kids your age?
If you could change one thing about how people treat each other, what would it be?
Feelings & Emotional Well-Being
Feelings & Emotional Well-Being
What's been the best part of your week? What has been the hardest?
When you're having a difficult day, what helps you feel better?
Do you ever feel two different emotions about the same person or situation?
When you're upset, would you rather talk, spend time together quietly, or have some space?
Family & Connection
Family & Connection
What does the word family mean to you?
Is there something about our family that you wish other people understood?
What helps you feel connected to someone you miss?
Are there questions about our family's circumstances that you haven't felt comfortable asking?
Friendships & Belonging
Friendships & Belonging
What makes someone a trustworthy friend?
Have you ever felt pressured to share something personal?
What would you do if someone made an unkind comment about another person's family?
What makes you feel like you truly belong somewhere?
Looking Forward
Looking Forward
What's something new you'd like to try?
Who inspires you, and why?
What is one thing you're looking forward to?
If you could tell your future self one thing, what would it be?
For caregivers: Some of the most meaningful conversations happen naturally—in the car, during a walk, or while doing something together. Let your tween decide how much they want to share. Listen without judgment, respect their boundaries, and remind them that they never have to earn your love or acceptance.
A reminder for every tween:
You are allowed to love someone and still feel hurt, angry, disappointed, or confused. You are allowed to keep parts of your life private. You are allowed to ask questions, set boundaries, and have your own opinions.
Your family's circumstances are part of your story. They are not your entire story. You deserve friendship, happiness, understanding, and a place where you belong.
Important Disclaimer
Bridge & Bloom is a peer-led community initiative, not a clinical counseling or crisis intervention service. The resources provided are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to replace professional mental health care, counseling, diagnosis, or treatment.
If you or your child are experiencing emotional or mental health challenges, we encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional.
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