Home      About Me      Contact      My Family       Travels       The Kitchen       The Bar

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Kids Journals


When we were expecting Thomas, we received great advice from our Executive Director at work. He suggested we get journals and write to our little one(s) each month.

Mike had heard about this at a recent couple's baby shower he and his wife attended and wished he had been writing to his sons all along. I headed to Barnes & Noble that afternoon and picked up a blank journal. The next day we had our ultrasound and found out we were having a boy! I started journaling to Thomas that day. And have been for 9 years this month.

With Brennan, I started journaling right after he was born. The boys sometimes ask for me to read excerpts from their journals to them at night. I'm on their 3rd journals now. Their birthday month I ask them about their favorite things (foods, tv shows, books, movies, friends, classes...) and they help me with that entry. I haven't turned the journals over to them yet - I will wait until they are much older and maybe have responsible wives who will put them somewhere for safekeeping!


I try to write a few pages every month and am pretty good about it. There have been times where I've skipped a few months and I miss so much! I love going back and re-reading old entries.

David also has journals for the boys with this own approach. I hope the boys appreciate the tales from their childhood when they have their own little ones at home.

And that Works for Me! For other great tips, visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! My "notes" are thrown into a series of boxes, which at this point I don't know if I'll ever get organized. Better to start early with a system.
Thanks for visiting BeyondJustMom today.

Mrs. Jelly Belly said...

That really is a great idea. I have a year or two worth of journals from when my kids were small but, sadly, I stopped doing it when life got too hectic. They are adults now and they still love reading what I DID write.

Anonymous said...

I do the same thing--except haven't done it monthly w/help from them! LOVE THIS IDEA!

jennwa said...

I love this idea.

Shannon said...

What a great idea! I'll have to remember this when we have kids!

www.AForestFrolic.typepad.com said...

That is a GREAT Idea :-) Welcome to SITS, we are glad to have you! Love your blog, very cute fam!

Jamie

Sandy said...

This is a fantastic idea!

I came by to Welcome you to SITS! It's nice to meet you:0)

Mrs. Jelly Belly said...

Yay, I get to comment twice:

Welcome to SITS!! I am so happy that you have joined in the fun!

@TiffanyRom said...

Welcome to SITS! We are thrilled to have you join us!

Great idea!

Brandy said...

That's such a great idea. I'll be 33 next month and one of my favorite things to this day is my baby book. It just holds so many memories...

Stopping by from SITS...welcome to our little group. It's always great to meet a new blogger!

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

This is such a fantastic idea! My mom has always journaled to us, but she hasn't shared them with us yet. I am excited to read them someday!

I am just stopping by from SITS to say hello and welcome!

Judah said...

we keep journals for out children as well.
stopping in to say welcome to SITS!!!

angi_b72 said...

Welcome to SITS!!!!

Just Lisa said...

I love journaling! It's such a great way to remember your life. Same with blogging! :)

Welcome to SITS! We're glad to have you!

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the SITStahood!

This idea is a great one. I blog little letters to my kids, but it still seems so personal. I think I'll start writing it in a book for them. Your handwriting is much more personal and meaningful to your kids. Especially when you are gone.

The Rambler said...

That is a FANTASTIC idea!

Just saying hello and welcoming you to SITS :)

You'll love it! I've 'met' some great gals there.

Anonymous said...

That'a very sweet idea. I'm sure your boys will treasure these when they're adults.

Welcome to SITS! I hope you enjoy the group and meet lots of new bloggy friends.

DiPaola Momma said...

I started while carring #1 (I have 4) it's one of those things I love to do.. My hope is to give it to them when they are expecting their first. I wonder if it will mean as much to them as it has me.

I'm here today to give you a WARM WELCOME to the Secret is In The Sauce (SITS).. I know you'll just love our blogger support forum. Looking forward to seeing you at roll call and beyond!

Ash said...

I've been wanting to do this!! I need to get over the fact that I didn't start this when they were born, and just get to doing it.

Thanks for the gentle kick in the pants ;-)

P.S. Welcome to the SiTSahood!!

Bramblemoon Farm said...

Welsome to SITS! I love this idea. I wish I had thought of it when my kids were small. They are teens now, and my daughter is 8. I do however have tubs and tubs of scrapbook stuff for each other them. Now I just have to actually make them!

Jen said...

that is a really cool idea. I journaled while pregnant but never thought to continue.

And I just wanted to wish you a great big welcome from SITS!

Nancy Rosalina said...

Good idea! I want to thank you for stopping by during my SITS spotlight. Please come back anytime. Blessings, Nancy