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Leaving a Friend’s House

Roo Bloom · Social Stories · roobloom.com

  1. Playing at my friend’s houseI am at my friend’s house. We are building a tall tower.
  2. Dad is at the doorDad comes to the door. It’s time to go home.
  3. I might feel sadI might feel sad, cross or worried.
  4. Helping my bodyI can help my body get ready to go.

    I could try… Squeeze my hands, then let go · Count slowly · Hug a cushion

  5. Everyone has a home timeMy friend’s family has dinner and bedtime too.
  6. Saying goodbye my wayI can say goodbye in my own way.

    I can say: “Bye! See you soon!”

  7. Hugs are a choiceI don’t have to hug, and my friend doesn’t have to hug either.
  8. I can ask about next timeI can ask Dad when we can play again.

    I can say: “Can we play again soon?”

  9. Going home with DadI can put on my shoes and walk to the car with Dad.
  10. We are still friendsMy friend is still my friend when I go home.
  11. I am learningI am learning to say goodbye in my own way.

I can remember

  • It’s okay to feel sad when I leave.
  • I can say goodbye my own way.
  • Hugs are a choice, for everyone.
  • My friend is still my friend.
For grown-ups

What this story teaches

That leaving a friend’s house can feel sad, that visits end for ordinary reasons, and that a child can say goodbye in whatever way feels right for their body — a wave, a high-five or words — without hugging anyone.

When to use it

  • On the way to a playdate or a family visit.
  • When goodbyes often end in tears or hiding.
  • Before seeing relatives who usually ask for hugs or kisses.

For this story

  • Give a warning before pick-up and say when they might see their friend again, if you know.
  • Never insist on hugs or kisses — back your child up: “A wave is a great goodbye.”
  • A goodbye routine helps: shoes on, wave, “see you soon”, a song in the car.

How to use it

  • Read it together on a calm day, not mid-meltdown. In the hard moment itself, fewer words help more: stay close, keep everyone safe, and save the story for later.
  • Read it again just before a tricky moment you can see coming: on the way to the park, the night before a haircut.
  • Make it fit your child: skip pages, stop when they’ve had enough, swap a detail as you read so it matches your child’s day, or read only the “I can remember” card.
  • Add your child’s first name on the story’s opening page and it appears in a line or two. The name stays in this browser and is never sent anywhere.
  • Use the story’s words in real life (“No means not right now”), and model them when you hear “no” too.
  • Notice tries, not perfect calm. Big feelings are allowed; the story is about what to do with them.

Good to know

  • These stories are for everyday disappointments and changes. They never mean a child should put up with pain, fear, unsafe touch, bullying or anything that hurts — telling a trusted adult is always the right answer there.
  • Nothing here asks a child to make eye contact, hug anyone — family included — stop stimming or stop crying. Crying and moving are ways bodies cope, and headphones or a break are always allowed.
  • Where a story says a grown-up will do something — stop when a hand goes up, give a warning, keep a “later” spot — make sure it really happens, or change that page. A signal that isn’t honoured teaches a child their words don’t work.
  • The aim is understanding and choices, not a quiet or compliant child. Asking “why?”, saying no to touch and disagreeing in words are skills to welcome.
  • Visual stories help many children and not every child. Adapt, skip or change any page. This is an educational resource, not therapy or medical advice.