The Sunbeam Fairy Tale
- BrainUp
- Aug 1
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 1
Dear parents and specialists! Divorce is one of the most difficult events in a family's life, especially for a child. How can you help a child or teenager cope with a storm of emotions, understand that it's not their fault, and maintain a sense of love and security?
At BrainUp, we have created a special series of therapeutic fairy tales "The Sunbeam," which will gently and carefully help your child go through this period. These fairy tales, adapted for different ages (3-5, 6-9, and 10-12 years old), will tell a story about the unchanging nature of parental love and the emergence of two loving homes.
In addition to the text, you will find recommendations from a psychologist, discussion questions, and art therapy exercises. Watch our new animated story about the Sunbeam and use these materials as your guide into a world of support and understanding.
The overall goal of the Sunbeam Fairy Tale:
"The Sunbeam" helps children adapt to a change in family structure (parental divorce), reduce anxiety associated with this event, and strengthen their sense of security and understanding that the love of both parents remains unchanged.Target Audience:
Children aged 3 to 12.Version 1: "The Sunbeam and Two Homes"
For children aged 3-5.Once upon a time, in the sky, there lived a small, cheerful Sunbeam. It was very important because it brought warmth and light everywhere it went! Most of all, the Sunbeam loved its Mommy-Sun and Daddy-Cloud. Mommy-Sun shone very brightly, and Daddy-Cloud was soft and fluffy. They were always together, and their shared light created the coziest and brightest world for the Sunbeam.
But one day, Mommy-Sun and Daddy-Cloud decided it would be better for them to live in two separate homes. Mommy-Sun stayed in one home, and Daddy-Cloud flew to another.
The Sunbeam was a little sad at first. "Why is this happening?" it thought. But Mommy-Sun hugged it and said, "My dear Sunbeam, this is an adult decision, and it has nothing to do with you. Even though Daddy and I now live separately, we will both always be your mommy and daddy. We love you very, very much, and our love for you will never disappear!"
Daddy-Cloud came to it and also said, "You are the best Sunbeam in the world! I will always be here to play with you and hug you. Now you will have two cozy homes where you are loved and awaited!"
And the Sunbeam understood that this was true. It could still play with Mommy-Sun, and Daddy-Cloud always came to visit or took it to his home to read books and tickle it. The Sunbeam knew it was loved, and that was the most important thing. And even if Mommy and Daddy were now in different homes, its heart was full of love from both of them. Its own light began to shine brightly again.
Version 2: "The Tale of the Light-Keeper and the Cloud Valleys"
For children aged 6-9.In a magical land where every child is born a little Light-Keeper, there lived a boy named Tim. His Light was bright and warm because he was loved by Mommy-Star and Daddy-Breeze. Mommy-Star shone with wisdom and calmness, while Daddy-Breeze brought freshness and fun adventures. When they were together, their Light mixed, creating a wonderful and protective glow around Tim.
But one day, Mommy-Star and Daddy-Breeze felt it would be better for them to live in separate Cloud Valleys. Mommy-Star stayed in her Valley, and Daddy-Breeze moved to another to bring joy there as well.
Tim was saddened. His Light temporarily dimmed. He thought, "Why is this happening? Is it my fault? Did I do something wrong?" But Mommy-Star gently touched him: "My little Light-Keeper, this has nothing to do with you at all. Daddy and I just decided that it would be better for us this way, but for you, we will forever be your mommy and daddy, and we will love you with all our hearts. Our love for you is something that will always remain bright, just like your own glow."
Daddy-Breeze hugged him gently: "Your Light is so strong, Tim! It won't go out, even if we live in different places. Now you will have two places where you can feel loved and safe. We will see each other, play, and spend time together. It's just that now you will have the opportunity to be in two different, but equally loving homes."
Tim learned that even if the paths of Mommy-Star and Daddy-Breeze had diverged, they were still his most important guides. He could talk to each of them about his feelings—both sadness and joy. He learned to fly from one Cloud Valley to another, knowing that in each one, warmth and love awaited him. And although it was sometimes unfamiliar, he understood that his Light did not depend on where his parents lived. His Light was himself, and he would always be loved and protected.
Version 3: "The Tale of the Young Traveler and the Changing Landscapes"
For children aged 10-12.In a world where every person is a Traveler on their own unique life path, there lived a boy named Eric. He was a young, but already experienced, explorer, and his path was illuminated by the love of his parents: the Master-Cartographer and the Horizon-Seeker. The Master-Cartographer knew how to build strong bridges and lay reliable trails, while the Horizon-Seeker always discovered new, amazing views and inspired adventures. Their joint journey created a rich and stable landscape of his childhood for Eric.
But over time, the Master-Cartographer and the Horizon-Seeker discovered that their own paths were beginning to diverge. They made a difficult decision: for their personal journeys, it would be better if they moved along different routes, while still remaining in the same great country. This did not mean that they were no longer a family; it meant that their routes would now be different.
This decision affected Eric deeply. His own internal compass became tangled, and he felt lost at a crossroads. "What will happen to my map now?" he thought. "Will my path change? And what does this mean for me?" Sadness, anxiety, confusion, and even a little anger took root in his heart.
The Master-Cartographer, seeing his son's confusion, sat down next to him and said, "Eric, your path is only your path, and it is still important. The fact that Mommy and I are now walking on different roads does not change the fact that we are both your parents, and this is not your mistake. Our love for you is not just one of the paths; it is the foundation of your entire landscape, and it remains as unshakable as the most ancient mountains. We will simply help you explore this world in a new way, from two different points of support."
The Horizon-Seeker added: "Journeys can sometimes be difficult, Eric. But even when the route changes, the values and experience you have gained remain constant. Now you will have two bases, two safe places from which you can embark on your adventures. You are allowed to be sad, angry, and ask questions—all your feelings are important, and we are ready to listen. We will help you understand how to adapt to these new landscapes and learn to find your own strength within them."
Eric began to learn how to accept these changes. He understood that his parents' divorce was their decision, their path, not his mistake. He realized that his worth and the love for him had not diminished. He learned to talk to his parents about what was bothering him and to see how, despite their separate routes, they were still united in their care for him and ready to be there. His own path became more complex, but also more interesting, filled with new opportunities and a capacity for adaptation, thanks to the support of the Master-Cartographer and the Horizon-Seeker. And he knew that his path, though changed, remained his own, and he was strong enough to walk it, carrying his own, now even brighter, light.
The Animated Story:
A Psychologist's Commentary: How to Use the Fairy Tale
Parental divorce is one of the most traumatic events in a child's life. Fairy tale therapy provides a gentle and safe way to process these difficult emotions and help the child adapt.
The Therapeutic Value of the Fairy Tale:
Releasing Guilt:
The main message of the fairy tale is "it's not your fault." The story explains to the child on a metaphorical level that the decision to live apart was made by adults and is not related to their behavior.
Maintaining a Sense of Security:
It is emphasized that the love of both parents remains unchanged, and the child will always have two loving homes. This is critically important for restoring basic trust in the world.
Processing Emotions:
The fairy tale gives permission for sadness, confusion, and even anger ("the Sunbeam's light dimmed," "the compass got tangled"). The child sees that these feelings are normal in such a situation.
Building Adaptability:
It shows that despite changes, life goes on, and the child is capable of adapting to them, gaining new strengths and opportunities.
Supporting Identity:
The Sunbeam as a symbol of the child's inner light helps the child maintain a sense of self-worth and uniqueness regardless of external circumstances.
Recommendations for Using the Fairy Tale:
Choosing the Version:
Always choose the fairy tale that corresponds to your child's age so that the language and content are as understandable and effective for them as possible.
Creating an Atmosphere:
Read the fairy tale in a calm, trusting environment when you have time for a conversation. Hug the child and let them feel your support.
Watching the Animation Together:
After or before reading the fairy tale, watch the animation. Since the animation is without words, it will become a universal visual anchor, and the fairy tale will provide the verbal context. Draw the child's attention to the changes in the Sunbeam and its reactions.
Repetition:
Return to the fairy tale as needed. Children often require repetition to absorb information and process emotions.
Discussion Questions after the Fairy Tale/Animation:
How did you feel when the Sunbeam (or Tim/Eric) found out that the Sun and Cloud would now live in separate homes?
How do you think the Sunbeam understood that Mommy-Sun and Daddy-Cloud still loved it very much? (Pay attention to the beams of light, the hugs in the animation).
What changed for the Sunbeam when it had two homes?
What do you think sometimes made the Sunbeam sad/dim? And what helped it shine brightly again?
Which moment in the fairy tale or animation stood out to you the most? Why?
Do you think your inner Sunbeam always shines brightly? Are there times when it dims? What can make it shine again?
Art-Therapy Exercises:
"My Sunbeam" (for all ages):
Materials: A sheet of paper, paints, pencils, markers, glitter, glue.
Task: Ask the child to draw their own "Sunbeam." What color is it? What shape? When is it the brightest? Let the child draw it in moments of joy, and then, if they want, how it looks when they are sad. Discuss how you can "help" the sunbeam shine again (hugs, favorite activities, talking).
"Two Homes of Love" (for all ages):
Materials: Two sheets of paper (or one large sheet divided in half), colored pencils, markers, possibly cut-out figures of the Sunbeam/child.
Task: Ask the child to draw "Mommy's home" on one side and "Daddy's home" on the other. Let them draw what is in each home, what makes it cozy. Then you can draw a path or a bridge between the homes and a figure of the Sunbeam moving between them. It is important to emphasize that both homes are full of love and security.
"A Letter to the Sunbeam" (for children aged 7-12):
Materials: Paper, pen/pencils.
Task: Ask the child to write or draw a "letter" to their inner Sunbeam. What would they want to say to it? Maybe words of support, or questions, or a promise to take care of it. This helps them become aware of and accept their internal feelings.
These fairy tales and recommendations are aimed at becoming a source of support for the child and their parents during a difficult time, helping to maintain the warmth and light within.
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