What to Do for Your Kids Before You Go to Prison

If you're lucky enough to know when you're going to prison (as opposed to being arrested on the spot and not being allowed home first) and have kids, then it is important to prepare them for the time you'll be away from them. Often when a parent is arrested, the kids aren't taken care of the way they should be emotionally. Taking the extra effort to do even one of the items on this list, could mean the world to them.

What To Do For Your Kids Before You Go To Prison # 1: Make a tape of yourself

If you don't have a video camera, then ask all of your friends and family if they have one. If you're going to Prison for an extended period of time, I think that making a video of yourself would be a wonderful thing to do for your child. If you have a younger child, you could record yourself reading several children's books and then whenever they wanted a bedtime story from you, all they have to do is put in the video. This could help with the pain of not being able to see their parent. You could also make a video tape for any birthdays or holidays that you'll miss.

What To Do For Your Kids Before You Go To Prison #2: Write several letters

Yes, in prisons you can write letters. However it can take weeks or in some cases months before they arrive to your child. So before you go, write several letters to your child. Tell them funny stories about your childhood, tell them your future dreams, tell them anything that they will need to hear during the difficult time that you're gone from them. It may help them to have several letters from you that can be given to them one at a time by another family member while you're gone.

What To Do For Your Kids Before You Go To Prison #3: Take funny pictures of yourself

Going to Prison is a very serious thing for you and your child. Why not take funny and goofy pictures of yourself for your child during your absence? You could tape them onto a card that you made for your child along with a short note. Instruct the family member or caretaker taking care of your child to give your child a card on special holidays or when your child is feeling really sad. It could be just the pick me up that your child needs.

What To Do For Your Kids Before You Go To Prison #4: Use a tape recorder

You could tape yourself on a tape recorder so that your child could hear your voice whenever they needed to. This would be perfect for your child when they're sad and missing you. Say and sing stuff that you know will make your child laugh. Knowing that you did this for your child before you got sent to Prison might make you feel better too.

What To Do For Your Kids Before You Go To Prison #5: Arrange for a family member or friend to take your child to do something special

If your child is having a birthday or needs a fun filled day, then arrange with a family member or friend to take your child to do something special. Plan out each detail yourself and write a letter to go along with the event. Even though you won't be the one there to be there, your child will know that it was you that planned this special day for them before you got sent away.

Having a parent in prison can be very hard on children. They often feel sad and lost so it's your job to help ease the transition of losing you. You might even have a better relationship with your child because you took the time to do something special for them while you're absent.