A Share Journal Premise: You write a letter to your child and then the next entry, your child writes you back. It is also the perfect way to get your kiddo to practice writing, while also giving them a safe space to express their feelings. So pick out a journal and give it a go!
Journal entries can be light topics, like things you are looking forward to and reflections on things that have just happened. Sometimes, though, they can write to you for advice on situations happening at school, or they can let you know about the struggles they are having.
How to start a shared journal with your child
Do you want to start your own shared journal? It’s easy to get started. Here’s how to do it:
Talk about the goals of a shared journal
Sit down and talk to your child about the journal and what it will be used for. Do you have a child who is too young to write? Start a journal drawing pictures back and forth to each other! My younger daughter is in Kindergarten and we just started our own shared journal using mostly pictures.
Pick out your journal
This is a fun part you can do together! Find a designated journal or notebook that you will use to write back and forth to each other.
Sit down and write!
Don’t worry about what you say. The conversations will grow as you spend more time journaling. When in doubt, remember to tell them how awesome they are!
Leave the journal for them to find!
Decide where you each will leave your journal for the other person and leave it for them as a surprise! (My daughter and I put the journal on each other’s pillow when we complete an entry.)
Now it’s your child's turn to write to you!
Continue FOR-EV-ER… Or at least until they move out and you can send old-fashioned snail mail to keep the tradition going!
Renae Gonzalez is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Brentwood, Calif.
