We were in Lake Como, on holiday with extended family who live abroad. It was filled with joyous reunions. It was glorious to see the cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles; cuddles, games and jokes which were that much sweeter because we don't get to see them often.

Of course, it was also glorious to be in a country where it's legit to eat pasta for (almost) every meal.

While I didn't want to wish away the time, I was conscious that the goodbyes would feel hard at the end of that week.

The goodbyes are hard.

So this Noisy Book Mail is all about finding ways to make goodbyes a little bit sweeter.

See which ones work for you. You can try the one that appeals the most, or have all three up your sleeve. 

This week I'm talking about:  

Noisy: Kisses to the Sky

Book: The Invisible String

Club: Hand Hearts

Noisy

Kisses to the Sky

There can be lots of goodbyes for children over the summer.

• Goodbyes to you if they are off to summer camps

• Goodbyes to friends and family after visits

• Goodbye to you again if they're going to stay with grandparents/cousins/friends/co-parents

• And, of course, the big goodbyes coming up in September at the school gates

Those goodbyes can be heart-wrenching, and I know parents are always looking for ways to make them easier.

This one is my all-time favourite and works an absolute treat with my daughter. I introduced it before she started at nursery and it has made goodbyes so much easier in our house. She loves it so much that when she gets upset at a looming goodbye, she will suggest we do Kisses to the Sky even before I do!

It's really simple.

1. Talk about how you are both feeling about the goodbye. Acknowledge and validate that it's OK to feel sad/worried/nervous etc.

2. Think about something nice you are looking forward to when you are reunited (hearing about their day, having a snuggle at bedtime etc).

3. Tell them you're going to blow some kisses into the sky. Let them know they'll be up there until your child decides to reach up and catch one. Let them choose how many they want you to send up, or just send loads!

I often tell my daughter that I'll miss her too, and ask her to send some up for me so I can catch one if I miss her. She likes that.

One reason this is such a winner is that you get to have this sweet moment of connection, and then focus on doing something physical (kissing your hand and throwing up to the sky). So it sort of distracts them.

I've been told that when I'm not there and she's upset, my daughter suggests reaching up to the sky to get a kiss from her mummy. I wonder if she likes that because she gets a bit of control over the situation. She can't make me magically appear... but she can magically catch her kisses. 

Book

The Invisible String, Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Hachette) 

This book talks about a simple but wonderful concept - parents and their children are held together by the invisible string of love. The concept is a lovely tool for helping with those goodbyes, and a powerful and reassuring thought for children.

Talking about your invisible string before a goodbye and on your journeys to school can really help your child (and you!) cope with the separations.

Club

And finally, this little cutie of a goodbye.

Draw a little heart on both your hands. Regular pen might rub off during the day. Sharpie will last but it's… a little toxic. Up to you which choice you make!

You can explain to your child that they are always in your heart even when they are not with you. And the little heart is a reminder that you are carrying them around in your heart all day. And vice versa.

And now for a less painful goodbye.

Ciao!

Becca

Getting School-Ready: The Low Down

The Stone Soup/Noisy Book Club collab in July was really fun. It felt like being in my classroom again... which I have to say felt pretty great.

One bit of feedback I had was that it wasn't what parents were expecting to hear.

Intrigued to see what our advice was?

DM me with 'school starter tips' and I'll be happy to share the Top Tips PDF with you too.