Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of motherhood with chronic illness is helping your children understand what is going on with your body and encouraging acceptance about how your illness may impact them. How can you help them develop empathy about what you’re experiencing, especially if your illness is invisible? Where’s the line between being honest and making them worry? What’s the best way to address their concerns in kid-friendly language? This is a topic that will likely need to be an ongoing discussion in your family – and sometimes reading a book together can help!
CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW:
Some Days
By Caitlyn P. W. Jones
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as a gift from the author, but all descriptions and opinions below are my own.
This book is the first and only board book I’ve seen that addresses having a parent with a chronic illness, which makes it much easier to start having this discussion with toddlers and younger kids. With a clever rhyming scheme, the book takes the reader through the differences in what happens on a day when Mama feels good versus a day when Mama isn’t feeling so well. While some days may be different, the girl and her Mama find a way to enjoy each other no matter what.
The message of love is simple and honest, and because it doesn’t discuss the details of any particular condition it could be used in a variety of situations where a parent has limited energy.
I also think it’s also very important to note that of all the children’s books about chronic illness that we have reviewed on this site (you can take a look at all the other reviews here!) this is the only book whose illustrations include a mother and child of color. (Well, except for Noah the Narwhal which is, of course, about a narwhal!)
You can learn more about the author and order your copy of Some Days from Artist Madrid Books. Mamas Facing Forward does not receive compensation.
