A Place for You

Together, watch the video. Ask children why they thought Karli got so upset about the placemat. What did it mean to her to not have “a place at the table”? Consider making some personalized placemats like Karli’s “for-now parents,” Dalia and Clem, did.

The song is full of “mantras” children can sing to themselves once they’ve heard the song a few times. Here are some other things to consider telling children frequently:

• I’m glad you’re here.
• You’re important.
• You’re not alone.
• I’m listening.
• All of your feelings are okay. I can help you talk about them (or find words to express feelings and emotions in other ways) so they don’t feel so big.
• The sad or scary things that happened within your birth family are not your fault.
• It’s okay to love your birth parents, no matter what.
• I see what you’re dealing with, and I believe that things will get better for you.
• I know you have gone through lots of changes. Everything is always changing, nothing stays the same and some changes can be good.
• You can ask me questions; I will answer them as well as I can.
• I can help you learn ways to help yourself feel a little better.