Cissy's Note: One of the things that worries me about technology is that parents might not be watching so much Sesame Street anymore. As a parent with a whole lot of ACEs, I find the gentle and warm tones of adults on Sesame Street so soothing, On especially hard days this gentle warmth can make an actual difference. When my daughter was young, we'd cuddle on the couch and watch together. The content is always so basic and clear and because it's geared towards and for kids, I never felt patronized or talked down to. I got to laugh, rest, get nurtured and learn a thing or two. I still love that show and the way it talks right to viewers and makes us feel like part of the conversation and story.

Anyhow, as a culture, we offer some compassion, support and sometimes financial assistance to families who have loved ones far away while serving in the military. That's wonderful and more is needed. But for kids who have a family member in jail, there's also pain, loss and absence and often for years and years there's next to no support. In fact, kids and families often feel shame and judgement on top of emotional and financial pain an strain.

Most don't know a lot about how race and class impact sentencing. This all means it's hard for kids who, as one kid said in this video, have a family member "away." This is nice clip that can support and make kids with family members in jail feel less alone and maybe help get a conversation going.  It was made near the holidays because that's an especially hard time for kids but it's good content year round. Really, does anyone ever not feel better after watching some Sesame Street?