Long-Distance Hug Craft

There can be a lot of hurt feelings when a child is separated from his or her parents, and a lot of conflicting emotions. They might not be sure what they are feeling. On one hand, they miss home - they love their parents, and home was familiar, it made sense to them. On the other hand, they might realize that their foster home is, in some way, nicer.

This is a craft that doesn't make kids choose between foster parents, and birth parents, and is especially good if the goal is reunification. It can open up discussion between foster-parent and child, about how, it's okay to love and miss your parents, even though things at home might not have been ideal. You can like where you are, and still love your parents. It will show the birth parents that the foster parents are not an opposing force, but rather a team trying to help the kid.

Children will make hand-prints on paper, and then cut them out. Then, measure the length of the child's arm, and cut a ribbon to the same length. Glue the hand prints to the ribbon and that's it. Let the child "prime" the hug, but, well, hugging it of course! Let the child give it to their parent (or other family member. Why not make a bunch of them?) and explain that this is for when they are apart, so that Mom, or Dad, or Whoever can still get hugs from their child. It's cute, it's simple, and it sends a really wonderful message.

Source of Craft