One thing, I don’t ever want to regret in my life is that I don’t have a bond with my daughter. She is becoming that age where she is being more independent, so while I still have the time, I started mommy and me journaling.
Mommy and me journaling is not a new concept. It is basically a journal that mother and daughter share. It can be as simple as buying out a notebook or purchasing some pre-made ones on Amazon or Etsy. The point of this concept is to have open communication and creating a way to grow your relationship with your child. Before you know it, she will be a teenager and may not have nothing to do with me. It will be harder to build a strong bond. So, start while they are young!
Victoria is definitely not my easy child. However, I know that she craves the love of me as her mother even when she is fighting me. She’s stubborn and aggressive and extremely smart. At the end of the day, I give her a hug and tell her I love her. Sometimes, the feeling is mutual and sometimes not (on the surface). She may not tell me she loves me that night. But I want her to know I don’t care that I would love her whether she feels like she may not like me at that moment.
Now, my daughter loves this idea of mommy and me journaling. It definitely speaks to her creativity side. She loves to color and write stories (we have the Q&A a Day that she loves). I buy extra crayons and color pencils at the beginning of the school year. They are cheaper at this time and we can go through a lot of coloring. So, I encourage those who have daughters(or sons) who enjoy writing and coloring in general start journaling with them.
Journaling coupled with her love language works best for her and she is loving it as do I.
Here is the journal we are currently using. Like Mother, Like Daughter (A Discovery Journal for the Two of Us).
Here’s other journals on Amazon I liked too before settling on Mommy and Me Journal.
The Just Mom and Me is a journal by American Girl. If you have a daughter that loves American Girl, this would be a great one for you. There are other things involved if you want more than journaling. There are quizzes, car games, recipes and story starters. This book is full of fun things for girls to do with their moms. You can tear out and share the notes and gift coupons.
The Mom and Me: An Art Journal to Share journal is filled with hand-lettering and artwork along with creative prompts from licensed art therapist named Lacy Mucklow. This brings the aspect of quality and opening communication at the same time.This journal has 50 full-color spreads to color, fill in, and draw. Each spread has a creative prompt or another exercise for mom and child to fill out together. Plus, Lacy Mucklow will offer up the best ways to communicate with a child through creating together: how to start an open conversation with your child, questions you can ask that will help generate thoughtful responses, and how to tailor the quality time so it’s still fun and engaging for your child.
The Just Between Us journal has writing prompts and entertaining mini quizzes to facilitate discussions. Anything from friends and school to crushes and growing up. Plenty of free space for writing about whatever comes to mind, plus pages for drawing and making lists. With advice and perspectives from both generations, two lovely ribbon bookmarks (one each for mother and daughter), and appealing illustrations, this deluxe hardcover journal has already established itself as a bestselling phenomenon.
No matter what journal you choose you, the reason to journal and start this process while they are young is because…
- Keeps lines of communication opened
- Maintains or starts a close relationship between a parent and child
- Creates an opportunity to talk about anything
It’s easy to get caught up in life. But I am taking a moment to create the small moment to create the bond that will last a lifetime.
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