Is Daddy OK?
To help schools support children who have parents on active service abroad.
by Ronni Lamont
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To help schools support children who have parents on active service abroad.
Preparation and materials
- You will need a candle and a lighter or a box of matches. Place the candle in a sand tray on a heat-proof surface.
- Download some pictures of members of the armed forces on active service – use with sensitivity.
Assembly
- Read out loud:
Dear Daddy,
How are you? Mum says that I’m not to worry about you, as you’ve been well trained and are working with your friends. She says that you all look out for each other, and that you’re the best soldier in the world!
When are you coming home? It seems ages since you’ve been gone. Mum has a calendar and she ticks off the days, but I think she’s got it wrong and has missed out some – there are such a lot left.
I’ve been picked to play in the school football team – cool! (or use whichever expression the children use today). So, when you come home, I can show you the new moves that Ms Singh has been teaching us. And the kitten has grown up and become much more sensible. She doesn’t climb the curtains any more, which has made Mum much happier.
I’ve got to go now – we’re going to the cinema this afternoon, and I’ve got my own pair of 3D glasses now. I hope you can take me again when you get home, but you have to get your own glasses!
Lots of love,
Jen - Ask the children:
Where do you think Jen’s father is working?
How do you think Jen feels about that?
If Jen was your friend, or if she came to school here, how would you help her when she worried about her dad? - Explain to the children that it’s not just soldiers, sailors and air-force personnel who work in war zones.
- Read out loud:
Dear Daddy
I’ve had such an exciting day today. A new boy came to school, and he was talking about what his mum does, and – guess what? – she’s a news reporter – on the TV – and she’s working in the same area as you! I think you might even know her! Her name’s Sophia Khan, and her son’s called Jack and he’s in my class. He worries about his mum, just like I sometimes worry about you . . . - Ask the children who else might work in the same area. The answers might include translators, camera operatives, sound technicians, aid workers and so on.
- Explain that lots of children have parents who work in areas that are not as safe as where we live. And, of course, there will be times when they feel a bit sad or even worried so we have to be extra special friends to them when that happens.
Time for reflection
Light a candle, and pause for a moment.
We think of those brave men and women who work to protect our country, sometimes at great risk to themselves.
We hope that they keep safe.
We think of how brave they are.
We think of those who work to train everyone who works in a dangerous place, that they might be kept as safe as possible.
We think of the families in this area who have friends and family in danger today.
Prayer
We thank you for those who are bravely working to bring peace and stability to other countries.
We remember all those who are waiting for them to come home.
Help all those working for peace,
that we might live in times when war is no more .
Amen.
Song/music
‘Peace, perfect peace’ (Come and Praise, 53)
