The Invisible String: Diffusing Anxiety through Connection

One of my favorite children’s books is “The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst. On a dark and stormy night, the children are afraid to sleep and want to be with their mom. She explains to them that even when they are apart, they are always connected by an “invisible string”. The kids ask questions, including whether or not the invisible string reaches to heaven, to which mom replies that it does. In the end, the children sleep soundly, comforted by their new awareness of their deep connection to their loved ones and the world around them.

"Even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it with your heart and know that you are always connected to everyone you love".

The Invisible String is a book that is written mostly for the 8 and unders, but can be really impactful for adults as well. I often recommend the book for families experiencing a loss of some kind, and also for parents of young children who are struggling with anxiety or unresolved trauma.

Whether or not you buy the book for your child’s library, anyone can share the story. It is a metaphor that can help us remember our connections, the love that holds us, and is inside of us, when we need it most.