Keeping a Journal - writing to and for your kids

I received, as a holiday gift last year, a handsome leatherbound journal. It has been doing nothing more than taking up space on my dresser for the last 7+ months. That all changed a couple weeks ago when I finally picked it up, blew off the thick layer of dust on top, and began to write. I chose to use this journal as a means to communicate with my daughter. This is a journal for and, more accurately, to my litte girl.

Before I began writing, there was a bit of housekeeping to attend to. I thought it would be nice to have some sort of uniformity to the entries. Plus this may show that her daddy had some organizational abilities! I decided to kick-off each with the following: the day of the week, date (month/day/year), my location and hers (taking a nap in her crib, etc).

I then proceed to write to her, my thoughts on what is going on (for example, I wrote that Mom-mom took her to first play Seussical Jr, and that she enjoyed it), what I am feeling towards her (yeah, it is filled with a lot of "I Love You's"), how proud I am of her, funny things she might say or do, etc. Again, I am writing it to her, as if we are having a conversation. I imagine this style will make for a more interesting and intimate read, as opposed to a documentary account of events and situations.

It should be fun and nostagliac for her to read someday when she is older (I hope!). She will be able to "hear", in her Daddy's words and voice, what was happening as she was growing up. One of my recent entries centered around her mastering the potty, and me having, just that afternoon, washed and folded her first collection of little girl underwear. It was a surreal experience to sit and fold, into 2 inch squares, all those undies, and come to terms with the fact that my little girl is growing up so fast. I have no problem admitting that I was tearing up a bit as I quietly folded away and then again as I recalled all of this for the journal.

Keeping a journal as a way of speaking to your child is a cathartic and joyous exercise that I would recommend any parent undertaking. You can use something as simple as a notepad or purchase a proper journal, write daily, weekly, or whenever the mood should strike, but do give it a shot. Your child/children, when they are older and out in the world on their own, will enjoy looking back and discovering the true voice of their parent(s).

Jeff
Out With The Kids
http://www.outwiththekids.com