Book helps nurture kids, even when parents are away

‘The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn is a children’s book I recommended a few weeks ago. The mother raccoon in the story kissed her son’s paw — a kiss that would not fall off nor wash off — and any time he felt lonely or a little scared, he could press his paw to his cheek to remind himself he was loved.

After mentioning it in a column a few weeks ago, I received two emails I want to share.

Ashley Kemp, of Norman, wrote, “I’m a mom of three and have used this book for each of my kids. It’s helped for school of course, but also when I’ve needed to be out of town on business or when one of my kids goes to summer camp. It also has been invaluable during those tough times when my kids had bad days at school and they really didn’t want to go the next day. It’s a beautiful book and has been a good way to help my kids learn necessary coping skills. It helped them recognize that it’s OK to be nervous or scared, but it doesn’t need to stop you from doing what you want or need to do. And each time we’ve used it, when the day or trip was over, I can tell how proud they are that they were able to work through their fear or anxiety.”

Wayne Harris-Wyrick, retired director of the Kirkpatrick Planetarium (40 years), a children’s book author and father of two wrote, “I love the book you described. I wish I had written it. My 10-year-old is moving from fourth grade up to fifth and sixth grade and she is nervous. I may try this book’s technique.”

It is a useful way to help an anxious child and a thoughtful way to remind anyone — of any age — he or she is loved.

Charlotte Lankard is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice. Contact her at clankard@oklahoman.com.