Wednesday, March 18, 2009

kids and journaling

I recently came across about 10 of my old journals from way back. I started keeping a journal in about 5th grade and continued through part of high school. Then I started journaling again about 7 years ago, but recently lost 3 years worth of thoughts and ideas due to a computer crash. I had failed to back it up and also thought it easier to "type" my thoughts rather than just do it the old fashioned way.

I have to admit, I was kind of embarrassed when I read some of my old writings. Especially the stuff from about 6th-8th grade. It is too bad I lost the better stuff. The stuff that was maybe a bit more intelligible or that involved thoughts and prayers rather than just events.

I laughed really hard over something I wrote in 6th grade: "Monica got her bangs permed. It looks really cool." First of all, who perms their bangs? Oh yeah, we did that in the 80's didn't we? Second of all, I found that worthy enough to journal about? Apparently.

The other day I had a *brilliant* idea. I need to start journaling with my kids! I say brilliant because, well, it's probably not terribly original. I'm also kicking myself for not starting it five years ago.

I've blogged a lot of stuff that Jeneva has said, but I think it would be fun to see it become a habit for her personally. I would write it for her of course until she can write more on her own, but she could dictate to me what she wants said.

Jude's journals will probably involve his latest feats from my perspective. You know, stuff like: "Jude is almost 17 months and STILL refuses to walk.....but yesterday he picked up his great grandma's cane and took 10 steps across the room."

So, here we go! I'm going to start today!

3 comments:

Marie said...

Good idea! Journaling for/with your kids sounds really fun. And Jude WALKED? Thatta boy! :)

melissa said...

Ha! I just read a few pages from one of my jr. high journals and had the same response. WHY did I feel the need to write this down???

I think journaling with your kids is a great idea! Grace has written some great things in her journals the last couple years. And I try to write a couple pages every month in the boy's journals, too. And in keep one for Grace, too. I love it.



I've used www.journalinglife.com from time to time to keep me writing.

Have fun!

Caryn said...

WONDERFUL idea! I bought a journal book for each of my kids almost a year ago. I really haven't formally written in them yet. But, I jot things on sticky notes through the day to eventually write in the books. Right now they just have a pile of sticky notes :-)