A role in policing can mean parents and care givers sometimes miss things like family celebrations, mealtimes and bedtimes. This has an impact on the whole family and can be really tough to navigate. It can also be difficult to explain to children why it happens. That’s why we’re giving away a very special gift to children and young people who have a loved one working in policing.
Gift packs include a copy of the Red Robber Raid book and activity pack, along with our gorgeous Oscar Kilo dog soft toy. The beautifully written and illustrated story helps children understand why their parent or care giver sometimes misses out on family time.
How does the give-away work?
- A limited number of gift packs are available for any child or young person with a parent or loved one working in policing.
- There are no age limits and every child is different, but our suggestion is that the gift packs will be enjoyed most by children and young people aged 1 – 12.
- You can apply for one gift pack per family.
- If we don’t have enough gift packs for everyone that applies, we’ll select people at random to receive one.
- Gift packs won’t be sent out until after the closing date for applications – midnight on 6th of May 2024.
A bit more about the book
The Red Robber Raid book for children and young people was written by Natasha Koncewicz, a member of the wellbeing team at Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary, to help explain to children and young people why their parent or care giver sometimes has to miss out on things like family celebrations, mealtimes, and bed times.
Tips and tricks from policing families
It can be hard when a parent or loved one isn’t around to help with bedtime. Here are some tips and tricks other policing families have shared with us:
Gather a bank of voice recordings or videos to say goodnight, even when your loved one can’t talk.
In the evenings, the children will often ask “where’s daddy, I want daddy”. We’ve got a nice little system in place where I have a batch of voice recordings of my husband saying good night that I can play them. They haven’t realised it’s the same messages played over and again! They can send him one back too.
Pre-record a bedtime story.
We have recordings of my partner reading bedtime stories that I can play through our Toniebox player. You can also do this on a Yoto player or on your phone. It’s great because I get through bath time, then shove the player on and relax. It means our daughter gets that important bedtime connection even when my partner is on shift.
Tell your colleagues in advance:
It’s not always possible when I’m on duty, but whenever I can, I find a moment to facetime my daughter before bed. I explain to her that I only have a minute or two. And I tell my colleagues, whoever I happen to be on patrol with that day, upfront. I felt embarrassed at first and I’ve had the odd comment, but now everyone just accepts that’s what I do. And it’s made it easier for other parents to do it too.
More help if you have a loved one working in policing
A role in policing can be tough, and not just for the person in the job. Read about how we support policing families.
Policing wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable support of the families and loved ones of police staff and officers. We want to say a huge thank you, find out more.