Writing as a family is an excellent way to build meaningful connections. Why not give it a try with this hands-on, family notebook activity.
My husband and I used to write little love notes to each other and hide them in tiny spaces for the other to stumble upon. It was lovely and sweet and charming.
And completely forgotten when we had our first child.
Our communication skills continued to wither as more children arrived. Conversations revolved around children and; the things we used to talk about (hopes, dreams, goals) had gone the way of the dodo. It was all we could do to muster a “loveyougoodnight” after the kids’ bedtime ritual.
Clearly, we needed a change. If we couldn’t find time to talk to each other, perhaps we could go back to writing notes. Why not involve the kids as well? Our family notebook was born: a record of thoughts, a collection of conversations, and a scrapbook of toddler artwork that became an important tool for communication and a versatile creative outlet.
Want to institute a family notebook in your household?
Choose a moderate-size notebook with plenty of pages. 8 ½ by 11 works well; decorate the cover if desired.
Find a consistent writing location. A comfortable chair, good lighting and plenty of pens and pencils are essential.
Involve the family. Make sure everyone knows where the notebook is. Encourage them to write in it at least once a day. Engage one another in conversation by asking questions or commenting on entries.
Vary the contents of the notebook according to your household’s needs and interests:
Simple Messages: Write about where you’re headed, what you’ll do, and when you’ll be back. Did something amazing happen while you were out? Writing about daily occurrences in this way sets the groundwork for in-person dialogue.
Creative Tweets: Use your notebook for bursts of writing like character sketches, descriptive passages or short poems. Comment on with specific details about what you liked; share any questions you might have. This is a non-threatening way to share creative writing and elicit thoughtful responses.
Read and respond exercises: Practice critical thinking and expression. Provide a short quote or news item for your family to respond to, then have a written dialogue about the issue. Ask your family to add their own prompts. This helps develop reader-based prose – writing that expresses critical thought in a way that is clear to the reader as well.
Story Chains: A variation of collaborative writing, story chains in the family notebook spark amusing, original tales. One person begins by writing the first few lines of a short story or poem. Each family member takes a turn adding to the piece, continuing the chain until the narrative comes to a natural end.
Variations and extensions:
- Keep a family vacation journal
- Enhance the notebook with photographs and illustrations
- Revise, type and publish favorite pieces
- Archive volumes as living history for future generations
- Ask visitors to contribute to your notebook, giving your family a chance to read and respond to varying writing styles and opinions. Grandparents and extended relatives add a special dimension to the notebook’s contents.
We’ve loved keeping a family notebook over the years, and the older volumes are full of treasured memories. Let me know if you start one, too, and what joys you discover as a result!
[rad_rapidology_inline optin_id=”optin_1″]
I love this idea! My son is so resistant to writing but he’d probably love some of these ideas for our “family notebook”.
Let me know if you try it. I’d love to hear how it turns out.
What a really cool idea! I think my family would enjoy participating in a family notebook. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Thanks. It’s been fun for us. I was surprised how much my husband took to it.
What a great memory book. It’s so fun to look back on treasures like that and read what everyone was thinking. Great idea!
It is. I treasure them.
I love your Story Chain suggestion! My littlest loves to fill in the blank and finish my sentences (yeah, we’ve had to talk about not being disrespectful with interrupting but it’s just like when he’s so excited to finish the last puzzle piece, totally that personality. I bet this would work with everyone, and my lyoungest would end up loving it most! Thanks for sharing. – Carlen
That’s great! If you do try it, let me know what he thinks!
Another really great writing idea! I feel like we need to incorporate more writing in our family… This might just be the exact thing to do. Thanks!
Thanks, Amy. It’s a great way to start small.
Lovely idea! I’ve been to vacation homes before where the owner left a journal and pen out on the table for guests to leave comments, but I never thought of bringing this idea home. My daughter would’ve loved it!
I have never considered doing a journal for our family. I wonder if I can get my husband on board with this – it’s pretty awesome.
I am so excited for your challenge being unveiled tomorrow!!