Lately our toddler has been struggling with the times that they’re not able to say goodbye to daddy before work. As first responder families we all know that scheduling can be all over the place-and sometimes it’s just not possible to give daddy (or mommy, or whoever their grown up is) a kiss and say goodbye before shift. Maybe it’s after bedtime, maybe it’s before they wake up, or maybe it’s while they’re gone at school or an activity-or worse, a completely unexpected call out.
We decided to create a “daddy box” for the times when a kiss/hug/goodbye/hello/nighttime tuck in is desired but not possible. So far, it’s been a hit!
I picked out this wall mounted mailbox to hang as our daddy box in our laundry room, right near the garage door. Some other good options would be a mini mailbox, a basket, a wall basket, a sack/bag, or even an empty cereal box or oatmeal container. You could then use markers, paints, and oodles of stickers to decorate it.
You can use whatever system works best for your family, but some ideas to leave in the “mailbox” are:
•Chocolate kisses and/or hugs
•Drawings or coloring sheets that your kiddo has created that day (or brought home from school) and wants to show off to their hero
•Notes (either written by the kiddo if they’re old enough or dictated to a grown up)
•A lovey or stuffed animal that is given a hug and/or kiss by your kiddo (and then can pass along that love to daddy, or vice versa)
•A recording of “I love you” or “good night” or whatever it is they want to say (or hear)
•A sticky note with something they really want to share with daddy and don’t want to forget (like a funny thing that happened during their day or a silly joke they want to tell)
•A photo (we have this tiny portable printer that connects to my phone via Bluetooth as well as this fun Instamax camera)
You can decide if you want daddy to check the mailbox by himself when he gets home or wait to go through it at a time that works with the kiddos-or maybe you tweak things depending on that week’s schedule! If you decide that daddy will check his box by himself (like when the kids are sleeping) you can have chocolate kisses, stickers, and a notepad handy so that he can easily “reply” to the love notes that are inside. These “lunchbox notes” would also come in handy!
What do you think about our daddy box? If you’ve had a kiddo that’s struggled with shift work, what’s something you’ve done to help? Share in the comments so we can all use one another’s ideas! 💌
You can see the reel I posted about this new little addition to our home here!