this visit was really hard for my children.. they have to ride in a car one way 4 hours and then you have to sit at table with nothing but snaks and drinks while you really want to be playing outside. It is so hard on my babys and that makes it hard on the visit as a whole.. I just wish I could come up with some plan to make it easier and more benifical for the children.. Any Ideas??

They can't bring coloring books or anything??? IF not I am in a lot of trouble with my bunch!! Are they allowed to bring ANYTHING??

Where I visit a few years ago a woman started a program that allows people to donate some toys, like blocks and coloring books for the children to use in the visiting park. It makes the co's jobs easier too. Maybe you can suggest this to the warden. Shortie I'm sure with your will you can accomplish it,lol

thanks for the suggestion I will take it from that approach and see what happens.. I am determined to get them to let me bring in this stuff

Shortie, any luck on this yet? I know you have a hole lotta other things on your mind right now, so let me know if there's anything I can help with, ok?

YEA- SHORTIE- ANY LUCK YET? I'LL DO ANYTHING I CAN TO HELP. MINE MIGHT ONLY BE 7 MONTHS NOW- BUT I'M STILL NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING TO KEEP HIM BUSY WHILE VISITING- THERE HAS TO BE SOMEWAY WE COULD GET THEM TO HAVE PEOPLE DONATE TOYS OR COLORING BOOKS- SO THE KIDS DON'T HAVE TO JUST SIT THERE.

MAY SOUND FUNNY BUT- I HAD A THOUGHT FOR WHEN I GO AND VISIT JAY- WHERE HE IS AT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO WEAR ONE NECKLACE- AND I SERIOUSLY THOUGHT ABOUT TAKING ONE OF JAEDINS LONG CHEW TOYS- AND PUTTING IT AROUND MY NECK- SO WHEN WE GOT IN THE VISITING ROOM- I COULD TAKE IT OFF SO HE HAS SOMETHING TO DO!!! I'M WEIRD- I KNOW- BUT IF HE DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO PLAY WITH HE'LL DRIVE ME CRAZY!!

why not try it? if you do, let us know if it worked?

When I brought the girls last weekend to see Todd, they couldn't bring anything in either.

Luckily, there is a special building in the visiting yard for the guys that had their kids visit. It had the smaller tables for the kids, checkers, tons of playing cards and even a tv & vcr with Disney movies.

After awhile, all the kids started making little groups and occupying themselves.

ALL PRISONS SHOULD HAVE SUCH A PLACE

Do they have games there? In the visiting room where Steven is they have board games, cards, books, etc for the children.

I'M NOT REAL SURE WHAT THEY WILL HAVE WHEN I VISIT JAY- I HEARD THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE A LITTLE "PLAY AREA" I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT REALLY CONSISTS OF- OR IF IT WILL BE OF ANY HELP FOR MY 7 MONTH OLD- I GUESS I WILL FIND OUT. CARLA- THAT SOUNDS WAY NICE- THE SEPERATE AREA FOR KIDS TO WATCH MOVIES- SHERRI'S RIGHT- EVERY PRISON SHOULD BE LIKE THAT. WHERE JAY IS- THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE OUTSIDE VISITING!!!!

My husband has been in prison twice. Our oldest was 2 when he went in and I was expecting our second child. he did a few years then we had our third and last child. Not too long after that he went back in and this time his sentece was15minimum mandatory with40years. Our children have been raised visiting their dad in prisons. Our oldest is already 20. They don't really want to visit much. They don't even want to wright much either. They feel that when he made the choice to do what got him in there he didn't think about them. I have tried to keep their relationship intact but it's dificult were struglin with ours as it is. I feel like he's pushing me away. All I want to do is be there for him, he makes it imposible for me

this visit was really hard for my children.. they have to ride in a car one way 4 hours and then you have to sit at table with nothing but snaks and drinks while you really want to be playing outside. It is so hard on my babys and that makes it hard on the visit as a whole.. I just wish I could come up with some plan to make it easier and more benifical for the children.. Any Ideas??

If you find any good suggestions, let me know! My kids are 7 and almost 9, and after a while, even with toys and cards they got squirmy and wanted to leave...they couldn't run or be loud, and they were getting cranky lil attitudes....this last visit with G, I didn't take them, because I wanted to actually visit and not have to worry about them getting in trouble, or getting cranky..... :rolleyes: