A quick disclaimer for those who read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn – no spoilers but to recap – it’s a lovely story about a Little Racoon (LR) nervous about leaving his Mama Racoon (MR) to go to school, so MR kisses LR’s palm and explains that if LR misses MR, he can touch his kissed palm to his face and feel his mother’s love.
Does he or doesn’t he feel his mother’s love? I won’t spoil it for you, but let me tell you how my version went (and this is where my disclaimer comes in).
It’s best *not* to try this Kissing Hand strategy when a child is already *very upset* about the impending separation because the exchange may very well go something like this:
Child: Mama, I NEED you. This doesn’t feel right. Please don’t goooo. Mama: It’s okay, I will be back soon. Here, give me your hand, and I’ll give you a kiss like the little raccoon. Child rips hand away and begins flailing their arm as they scream: I DON’T WANT YOU TO KISS MY HAND. I WANT YOU TO STAY WITH ME. Mama: I understand, but if you just let me kiss your palm— Quickly grabs child’s hand and kisses palm. Child: IT’S NOT WORKING. I DON’T FEEL ANYTHING. Tries to kiss palm again. Child: STOP KISSING MY HAND. IT’S NOT REAL THAT I WILL FEEL YOUR LOVE. Mama: It helped the raccoon. Child: WELL, I’M NOT A RACCOON.
So, just to recap, it’s best to apply this strategy earlier in the process *before* the child has already started to freak out.
coming full circle 