In life things happen that are hard to explain, especially to children. Divorce. Death. Moving. Unemployment.  Illness. The list goes on and on. It’s hard as parents to know how to talk to our kids about these tough situations. We want to say the right thing, but sometimes it seems impossible to get the words out.

At times like these, a book is often the best way to get the conversation started. Kids are used to being read to at home and at school, and books are used to teach them all sorts of good stuff. So why not use them when times are tough?  That sounds simple enough, but I’m sure you’re wondering how on earth you’re going to find the perfect book that fits your needs? Your local bookstore is full of great books of course, but sometimes the story line isn’t quite right for your situation. So, what’s a parent to do?

Make one! Nowadays it’s incredibly easy for you to pen your own story for your child. If you’ve got a problem, and you think a book would help, then the sky is the limit. Scrapbooking enthusiasts have been making photo books for years, and they’ve become so readily available, cheap, and easy to make that you could put one together in one sitting.

While photo books are normally promoted to document vacations, weddings, or other life celebrations, there’s no rule that says they can’t be about loss or other situations that are equally hard for children to grasp. And sites like  Snapfish or Shutterfly or your drugstore’s online photo center make putting these photo books together a breeze.

To get started, all you need is the story you want to tell and some pictures to illustrate your story line. Ideally some of the pictures would be personalized to your child, but you may not have enough pictures to fill an entire book. If that’s the case, just do an online image search to find stock photos that fit your storyline. Then put them in your book right alongside your other photos. Remember, the point of your photo book is to convey a message to your child about a tough situation. Every picture doesn’t have to be of them as long as your story gets across.

Got a situation that needs a book? Then get creative and put one together. It will help you get the conversation started with your child about a difficult situation, and your child will have something tangible to hold onto during the tough times made just for them.