“How can I explain why we see people sleeping rough?”

Poverty and disadvantage hurt people in all countries and societies. In most cases, the shame and self-blame are hurtful too.

Most adults can’t easily explain or fully understand poverty, so it will likely be hard for children to grasp that there are people sleeping rough or having to choose between food and rent. Especially if they don’t know anyone who is struggling to make ends meet.

Still, it can be helpful and entirely appropriate for children to recognise there are people experiencing hardship in their own community, and most important to see those people as human beings who deserve dignity and respect.

It’s a No-Money Day, by Kate Milner, allows children to see that people living with less are not that different to themselves. The little girl with no food in her kitchen still wants normal things (like her favourite cereal) and she dreams about normal things (like getting a real kitten). She’s missing out on some things, but love is not one of them. The story reveals a strong, loving bond between mother and child that helps them ride the hard days and makes the little girl feel safe, no matter what.

If your child feels worried about people living on the streets, it is a lovely sign of their compassion, but it might be hard for you to respond to. Try sitting down with I Saw Pete and Pete Saw Me, by Maggie Hutchings. It’s the story of a little boy who forms a brief connection with a homeless man named Pete. The book shows that worrying for other people is very normal, plus it shows how the adults can take charge when someone needs help. Perhaps best of all, the story finishes on a hopeful note with some very memorable artwork.

The difficulties of living with poverty and homelessness can also bring people into contact with the justice system. Check out My Dad’s in Prison, by Jackie Walter and Tony Neal, for a gentle and compassionate exploration of how it feels when someone you love is in jail.

For more direct support in difficult times, try contacting Vinnies or a Neighbourhood House in your local area.