What happens when your world is suddenly split into two places?
For eight-year-old Noah, life is now lived between two homes, two bedrooms, two toothbrushes and two different ways of saying goodnight. Every week he packs his suitcase and travels from one home to another. But what Noah carries isn't just clothes, books and toys. He carries feelings too.
Some feelings are easy to understand. Others are confusing, tangled and difficult to explain.
Sometimes Noah feels happy to see Mum.
Sometimes he feels sad to leave Dad.
Sometimes he feels both at the same time.
Through gentle storytelling, relatable experiences and comforting illustrations, Sunday Suitcases helps children understand the complicated emotions that can come with parental separation, divorce and living between two homes.
Told through Noah's eyes, this reassuring story explores the invisible feelings many children experience but often struggle to put into words.
Sunday Suitcases gently explores:
- Living between two homes
- Parental separation and divorce
- Missing one parent while spending time with the other
- Feelings of guilt, confusion and worry
- The challenges of transitions and change
- Understanding mixed emotions
- Finding comfort, stability and belonging
- Building resilience during family changes
Children will learn:
- It is okay to miss someone and still be happy where they are
- Mixed emotions are normal and healthy
- Love does not need to be divided between parents
- Families can look different and still be full of love
- Their feelings matter and deserve to be heard
- Change can feel difficult while still being manageable
- They belong in both places without having to choose
Includes The Sunday Suitcases Toolkit
At the end of the story, children will discover practical activities designed to help them process emotions, build confidence and feel more secure during transitions between homes.
The toolkit includes:
- The Both-True Map activity
- The Brave Breath calming exercise
- The Sunday Anchor transition tool
- Reflection and discussion prompts
- Space for children to explore their own thoughts and feelings
Perfect for:
- Children experiencing parental separation or divorce
- Co-parenting families
- Parents and carers supporting children through change
- Primary schools and teachers
- School counsellors and pastoral teams
- Child therapists and wellbeing practitioners
- Family support organisations
Sunday Suitcases provides reassurance, understanding and hope for children learning to navigate life between two homes.
Because love isn't divided when families change.
Sometimes it simply learns how to stretch.
Written by Wayne Hutchinson & Nadeen Swaby of Handle My Affairs
Helping families navigate grief, loss, bereavement and life's most difficult moments with compassion, understanding and practical support.
