Helping Children Cope When a Parent Works Away from Home

When one parent works a remote job away from home, children often feel the absence deeply. Whether a parent is gone for weeks at a time or works in a location far from home, kids may struggle with emotions they cannot always name. Helping children understand and express these feelings is essential for their emotional well-being and for maintaining strong family bonds.

How Children Show They Miss a Parent

Kids do not always say they are sad or lonely. Instead, their emotions might show up in different ways. You might notice your child becoming more clingy, easily frustrated, unusually quiet, or having trouble sleeping or concentrating. Helping children starts with recognizing these signs and giving them space to express what they are feeling.

Give Their Feelings a Name

Children often need help understanding their emotions. Use simple language and gentle questions to encourage them. You might say:

• It seems like you are feeling a bit quiet today. Are you thinking about Mom?
  
• I sometimes feel sad when someone I love is far away. Do you feel like that too?
  

Helping children name their feelings makes those emotions feel less overwhelming and builds trust in your conversations.

Keep the Connection Strong

Maintaining a sense of connection with the parent who is away can ease emotional stress. Even small gestures can help your child feel close and comforted.

Try some of these ideas:

• Message jar: Encourage your child to write or draw notes for the parent who is away. They can add a message each day and share them when the parent returns.
  
• Regular video calls: Set a consistent time for a quick check-in or bedtime chat. Knowing they will see and talk to their parent regularly provides comfort.
  
• Shared book or journal: Pass a notebook or storybook back and forth between home and the remote location. The child and parent can write or draw in it and feel like they are sharing moments even while apart.
  

Helping children stay connected reduces the sense of distance and builds emotional security.

Use Creative Expression

Children do not always want to talk directly about their feelings. Art, play, and storytelling are wonderful ways for them to process emotions in a non-threatening way. You might say:

• Can you draw what it feels like when Dad is away at work?
  
• Let’s act out a story where one character goes on a trip and the other one stays home. What happens next?
  

Creative expression can be healing and offers insight into what your child is going through.

Validate Their Emotions

Sometimes parents want to quickly comfort their child by saying things like, You are okay or Dad will be home soon. While meant with love, these phrases can unintentionally shut down the conversation.

Instead, try:

• It is okay to feel upset. I miss them too.
  
• I understand this is hard. You are not alone.
  

Helping children feel heard makes a big difference. It reassures them that their emotions are normal and that you are there to support them.

Maintain a Supportive Routine

Having a stable routine gives kids a sense of control and security. Try to keep daily tasks like meals, bedtime, and school prep consistent. Even though one parent is away, routines help life feel predictable and safe.

Include special bonding time as well. This could be movie nights, cooking together, or a weekend walk. Shared moments with the parent at home help children feel loved and supported.

When Emotions Feel Too Big

Sometimes children need more support than you can provide on your own. If your child is withdrawing, frequently upset, or having trouble in school or with friends, consider speaking with a counselor or child therapist. Helping children work through difficult emotions is not always easy, and seeking guidance is a sign of strength, not failure.

Supporting Their Growth

Although having a parent away for work can be challenging, it can also be a chance for children to build resilience and emotional strength. With your support, they can learn to manage complex feelings, maintain strong connections, and feel confident in their family’s love.

Helping children express their emotions, stay connected to the parent who is away, and feel supported at home lays the foundation for long-term emotional health.