I have FINALLY started something that I have been wanting to do for awhile now. The years seems to be flying by (just as everyone says they will/do) and I know that as kids get older communication between parents and kids can become challenging. I wanted a way to make communication easier and fun so I’ve started writing letters to my daughter.
When school supplies were all the rage I picked up a few fun notebooks and thought since it was back to school time it was a great opportunity to start something new together. A new school year brings on new challenges and the school work is not getting any easier. I decided to make letters to my daughter a way that we can communicate together. I write her and she writes me back.
I started the first letter and it was so easy to do. I started out with some positives about her (because kids NEED to hear positives about themselves!!) and then asked her a few questions about school. The first few letters I kept it very simple. I left the notebook out on the table and waited to see what happened.
My daughter is very curious and loves all things sparkly and with fun sayings and expressions. (And can I just add that glitter pens are just so much fun!!) When she came home from school that day within 5 minutes she’d spotted the notebook and asked what it was. I explained that it was our notebook to write to each other and that I had started the first letter. I told her she was to answer my questions and write me back.
That very second she plopped herself down and began reading my letter and started one back to me. She left it on the table, like I did, and said it was time to write me back.
So our journal of mother/daughter letters began. We’ve been only doing it a few weeks now. I had to explain that we would only write a few times a month because we are both busy and cannot do it ever single day, but that if there was ever a time she really needed to tell me something she could in our notebook. So far it’s going great. We both love it. I love seeing her writing progress and the questions she asks me. She loves when I ask her funny questions or I tell about times about when I was growing up.
This is such a simple, simple activity that takes very little time to do. I encourage you to start letters to your kids too. I’m hoping this will teach her that she can come to me when times are tough, because there are going to be tough times.
Make this a goal or a resolution to try once a month, if you can. You will not regret it. I know that later on I will cherish these sweet letters that we have from one another from this day.
Tiffany says
Shannon, this is such a great idea! It opens the door to keeping the conversations alive between the two of you as she grows!
Shannon says
Thank you! I’m hoping this helps as things get harder to talk about. Hopefully she’ll know she can always come to me 🙂
Brittany says
Okay, as a woman in her 30’s without kids, can I just say I want to start this with my mom and just mail it back and forth? A couple years ago I moved 3,500 miles away from her and it is SO HARD! Sure we talk and occasionally we write letters but this would be so much fun!
I’m going to bring it up to her and see what she says.
Shannon says
That’s a fabulous idea!!!! I would love to do this with my mom too!!!
Morgan says
Such a great idea! Love this, and will need to try with my little one someday 🙂
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Dia says
I would have loved doing something like this with my mom growing up! This is so sweet it really will help your bond. Great idea.
Shannon says
Thank you! I’m hoping it will help with communication as things get harder to talk about!
Ashleigh says
This is such a wonderful idea! I started something like this when my daughter was born, where I write letters to her for when she’s an adult. But to have these conversations in writing is such a special thing. Thank you for sharing your idea, I will have to start this with all my kids!
Shannon says
I’m excited to have it to look back on too when she’s older!
Yvette says
This is so beautiful. I think I might do this with my son as I do not have a daughter.
Shannon says
Perfect! I plan to do it with my little boy too when he gets a little bit older!!
Brittany says
This is so sweet! I will definitely do this with my daughter when she’s older!
Hannah says
Love this, saving for when my daughters are older!