That is a hard one. My husband is in prison, and I am having a hard time figuring out how to tell our grandchildren. Do you go to church? If you do maybe ask your pastor for some advice and pray, pray, pray

I'm not sure how I would approach that...maybe in childrens terms, like Daddy made a mistake and has to be in time out a little while, but he still loves you very much..If he has phone priviledges make sure he gets to talk to her every phone call he can so he can reassure her he's okay and coming back...My kids are grown so that may not be the "correct" way, it's just a thought....

I lied without really lying. I told my girls that he was sick. He was sick, that is what got him in there. He was really, really sick. So.... he is at the hospital.

My son had a 8 mos old daugher, and a 4 yr old when he went in. The four yr old was told he would be home when she was 8. We thought she got it. One day she was asked how old she was. She answered, I am 8, that means Daddy will come home now.
We tried to explain to the littlest one after she got older that daddy had to be away for awhile longer, but he would call, and she could go see him sometimes, that daddy had made a mistake, and he had to be gone for awhile, but that he loved her every minute of every day. She seemed to get it. He came home a few months ago, and her mommy let her be with him 4 days a week now, til she starts kindergarten. She has adjust quite well. They are very connected. We had shown her pictures all the time of him, and hearing his voice regularly on the phone helped. Little ones adapt better than you would think. If they knew nothing else to compare it to it is easier too.

They do bond after they are home. They have missed things but sometimes the kids don't realize what they missed.

The oldest girl had not lived with him before he went in, so she had a seperate life from him anyway. They learn to live with what life hands them. It should be a lesson for all of us who are so miserable. If little ones can adapt, we should too. Somehow.

I think at a young age it is better to lie. Children worship there parents, It seems to me it might make them feel a little insecure, to see the imperfections of a parent. They will find out soon enough that parents are not perfect, it is better for them to have that faith, that Mommy & Daddy are the wonderful parents they think they are.
One could say Daddy has obligations, responsibilities that he must fufill. When that is done He will come home. I think it is better to make it sound like a job, than jail.
However, if visits are going to take place, then an explanation is needed. I guess it is all up to you, just do what feels right & it will be the right choice.

My daughter wasnt born yet when my guy got locked up, sent to prison when she was 4months old, around the age of 2 i told her daddy was naughty and had to go away and will be home when your 6, now she knows he is in prison, hasnt asked why, and when he did get to call would talk to him and even did homework with him over the phone, she tells stories all the time bout him and her, i think she dreams bout him a lot.

My son is currently serving a 1 year sentence in a med.sec. facility here in Wisconsin-he'll be transferred to a min.sec. work farm in a couple mos. for rest of his sentence. But when he was 4,we lived in Cedar Rapids,Iowa. My husband,his dad,got put in the Cty. jail there for 30 days for "unpaid parking fines". I took my little son with me 1st time to see his daddy-It was AWFUL-when it was time to go,he threw a full blown TANTRUM-could not understand why daddy was NOT coming home with us-Needless to say,he was very upset for many days after the visit. I didn't take him back there to visit,was too traumatic for him. I think it's best to be honest with your little girl,depending on how mature she is for her age. Only YOU can decide that. Maybe have her daddy write her a personal letter that you can help her read,explaining that daddy made a mistake and he won't be home for a few weeks,but he would love for her to come and visit him. Children are often stronger than we give them credit for. Best wishes to you! Peace