The Write Gift

The habit of writing for my eye only is good practice -- it loosens the ligaments. ~Virginia Woolf




I was reading Sea Kettle Diaries this morning and came across pictures of Kerrie's journal.  You'll be blessed if you read her blog and see her creativity.  I can assure you my journal isn't this beautiful.   I do think I am going to add more than words to my journal this coming year.  Words come so easy for me.  In fact, embarrassing as it is to admit this, I write journal entries in my head all day long. While sitting in The Partridge and the Pear restaurant in Gatlinburg, listening to the easy laughter of Emily and her best friends, I wrote an entry on laughter of the purest sense...how only girls who love each other unconditionally and want the best for each other (even if that best takes them out of local Panera and Starbucks run range), can laugh without reservation.  Just as I was enjoying their joy, I thought that God must be looking down on that round table, smiling at our laughter as we visited together.

One random mind journal might not qualify me for the title "crazy," but I find myself doing this all day long.  Monday evening, while enjoying Melanie's birthday meal around our table, all the kids wanted to thank God for the food.  I smiled when Morgan raced through her part.  Then with deliberate and slow pace Landon prayed, "Dod is great, Dod is dood..."  and off my mind went with a celebration of the differences of my grandchildren and how God must love that we all worship in personal ways.  Honestly, I had to concentrate to put my mind's pen down.

That might be a bit extreme, but  I still believe in  the journaling process and its benefits.  Several years ago I wrote an article for Christian Parenting Today titled, "Just Write," encouraging parents to teach their children to journal at a young age. If anything, I am even more passionate about this topic than I was when I wrote the article. Journal writing can strengthen a child's self-esteem, foster an alertness to their activities and provide a creative outlet.

Here are 5 hints to help begin the journalling process with your child.

1. Plan a time for journaling. Melanie and Emily were more eager to journal when I was writing, too. When they hear you say, "I want to remember to journal that," they likely will be eager to record their daily happenings, too.

2. Provide journaling tools--cute notebook or journal, cool pencil to use only when journaling. I like the idea of erasable colored pencils for young people. The colors make it more interesting. You can also take the child shopping to choose their own journal and pencils.

3. Allow your younger children to tell you what they wish to record. They can find a magazine picture that correspond to their words. Melanie and I did this when we went to the zoo. She was too young to write the words, but she told me what she did and found pictures to glue to the pages.

4. Keep journal time fun. Words will be misspelled and the printing sloppy at times. Ignore it. Perfection is not the goal--becoming passionate about journal writing and expressing their daily emotions are.

5. A picture is worth a 1,000 words. If your child wants to draw a picture, allow them. The purpose is to preserve a part of their life.

Let me know if you have ideas about the journaling process--either yourself or with your child. Someday the next generation will hold the memories of your past--and perhaps in reading of your hopes and dream or reading the recorded ways God was with you, will be inspired to find a few of their own.

Gift Idea:  Journal in a Jar

Start with colored paper and fancy edged scissors.

Cut as many strips 1" wide as you wish.

Write a prompt on each one. (Suggestions below)

Curl on a pencil and put them in a jar, box or other container.

(I used a plastic goblet with bright stripes around it.)

Wrap some cellophane around it and tie with some ribbons.

Tie a fun pen in the ribbons.

 Add a journal if you wish.

Make sure the journal lays out flat: the pages should be sewn or spiral bound.

And gift it to a young friend.   

Some writing prompts:

The best thing that happened today was...

The worst thing that happened today was...

The Bible...

I smiled today because... 

I cried today because...

Today I talked to...

Dear God...

Did you know that... 

I get scared when... 

I wish I could... 

My favorite book is...

My favorite subject is...

I don't like to...

My brother is...

My sister is...

If I were President I would...

My favorite song is...

I wish...

If I could be anybody...

I would like to invent...

My favorite Bible verse is...
When Mom says yes...

When Dad says no...

Pickles
I like to play... 

I enjoy...

In the winter I...

In the summer I...

If I had a pet...

I am thankful for...

My favorite holiday is...
If I had a magic wand...

My favorite toy is... 

I like to eat... 

My favorite resturaunt is... 

If my dad was king...

If I was Noah...