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Words. I love them. We’re word people around here. But I’m learning that I don’t always say the words that need to be said. Too often my words are bossy (please pick up the toys), task-oriented (it’s time to go to ballet), or correcting (let’s try to say that a nicer way).
It’s often the most important words that aren’t heard as loudly. Yes, we are faithful with telling Emma that we love her multiple times each day. We tell her that she’s beautiful and precious to us. We thank her for helping with tasks around the house. My fear is that, when mixed in with the bossy, task-oriented, correcting words, they aren’t heard as much as we want them to be.
Enter The Journal.
I bought this journal a while ago in hopes of documenting some of the sweet and funny things that Emma says and some of our everyday memories. Unfortunately I haven’t done that yet. (And you wonder why I’m doing this series??) Instead, I decided to create a journal that Emma and I could pass back and forth. I started it the other night by writing her a little one-page note about how I don’t always say everything I want to say to her. I shared how thankful I was that God chose me to be her mom and how proud I am of her. I explained that the little journal was going to be a special book for us to pass back and forth.
Instead of handing the journal to her, I decided to sneak it into her room while she was sleeping. She loves waking up to a surprise, and this one didn’t disappoint. She greeted me the next morning with a big hug and a thank you for the pretty book. She was excited about doing the journal together. And she was excited that the book was pink with sparkle stars on it. 😉
My hope is that she’ll start writing her little girl thoughts in the journal now, and that we can share ideas, worries, dreams, and memories as she gets older. If we can continue this through her teen years, think of what an impact having a safe place to share could be. It won’t take the place of face-to-face conversations (I wouldn’t want it to!), but some things are easier to write than to say out loud.
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Karen says
I’ve done this with my girls, though certainly not as often as I had hoped. It is worth the time invested, for sure.
We usually hide it under the other’s pillow when we’ve written in it.
My girls are both teens but I’m still looking forward to your 31 days series. I need those reminders to be intentional, too, especially as I’m looking at them being grown and gone so soon. Good for you for making this a priority!
Jennifer says
Thanks, Karen! I love the hiding it under the pillow idea. Emma’s already asking where she should put it. Though I think she’s a little shy about writing in it the first time. I might sneak it back and add a few questions in there to get her started. Thanks for stopping by and for the encouragement.
Tone says
This i will do – thank you so much for the idea. I’ve made a new blogger list – with blogs i want to read through the 31 days, and your is one of them – I’m so happy started following you. Tone
Jennifer says
That’s awesome, Tone! Thanks so much for following along. We’ll work on this parenting thing together. 🙂
Susan says
I wish I had done this with my older kids, they said the funniest things, but now I can’t remember them all! I have time to try again now with our 2 1/2 year old that we just adopted!
Jennifer says
Oh wow! Now you get to try all the oh-I-wish-I-would’ve-done things with this new little one. How awesome!