by Mandy Farmer
A Much-Needed Resource for Families Dealing with Chronic Pain
Soft Hugs for Mommytells the story of a loving family as they navigate the challenges of Mommy's chronic pain condition. Filled with tender moments and loving gestures, it seeks to encourage understanding and unconditional love. The family helps Mommy with her invisible illness by offering gentle hugs, thoughtful acts of kindness, and comforting words. A talented author who draws from her personal experience with fibromyalgia shares this sweet story. Another chronic illness warrior skillfully illustrates the story with hand painted pictures. Together, author and illustrator capture the emotions and experiences of each character with warmth and tenderness.
Soft Hugs for Mommy continues with a “Let’s Talk” section to open the conversation between parent and child. These questions, created with a child psychologist, offer a space for children to express their feelings about Mommy's illness. This book facilitates discussing other related conditions (such as Lyme Disease, ME, CFS, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic migraine, chronic pain, and others).
“Soft Hugs for Mommy” is a children’s book directed to children and families who have a mommy who has fibromyalgia, or “fiber-my-ouch-a”, as the young girl says. It describes the changes in the household when the mother has been diagnosed with a chronic illness and how it may affect the things she can do. Not only does it bring reassurance that their mother still loves them, but also describes different ways that they can experience similar experiences that they had previously with her. I love that there is a little seek and find for purple ribbons (signifying fibromyalgia awareness) through the book and guiding questions for the children to express their feelings.
Lovingly written and beautifully illustrated by chronic pain warriors, this book is an authentic guide for families with especially small children who face these challenges. I would highly recommend this book for families with those who experience any type of chronic illness.
