Fall weather is here in my neck of the woods!  Well, really we have no woods.  Maybe I should say its fall in our neck of the prairie land, tumble weeds, and beautiful sunsets!  I love fall weather, football, stew cooking on the stove, and taking strolls with my family in the evenings.  I hope you are enjoying your fall events as well.

Do you ever feel like you have trouble connecting on a deep level with your teen or pre-teen?  I think all parents have felt that way.  You ask them what they did at school that day or who they sat with at lunch and you get, “Same old stuff” and “You know, just all the guys”.  It can feel like you are losing touch with their world.

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Something that really works is to journal together.  Buy a journal that the two of you will share.  You start by just writing them a note.  Tell them what’s going on in your world, what you are looking forward to, how the Lord has you praying for them.  Once you share your heart…simply leave it on your child’s bed.  This is their signal that it is now their turn.  It is a great activity for them to do as they go to sleep each night.  They will answer any questions that you have asked them and then they will write to you about the things that are on their mind.  In the beginning the entries may be brief, but give it time and trust the process.  This will be a safe way for them to bring up difficult topics and share their feelings.  I can’t wait to hear my kids responses.  They leave their journals on the foot of their beds.  I pick the them up when they fall to sleep.  But you could have your kids leave the journal on your bed when they are ready for you to take a turn.

My daughter loves doing the journal and can’t wait to read the things I write to her.  I expected that.  But what I didn’t expect is how much my son enjoys the journaling as well.  He is less descriptive verbally, but in the journal he is able to communicate without me butting in and trying to complete his thoughts or fix his problems mid-sentence.

What a beautiful and priceless keepsake these journals will be for the two of you!  Not only will it strengthen your relationship, but it will give you documentation of the prayers answered by the Father over the years.

Could it get any better?  A memory and faith builder all at the same time!

Try it!  Start to journal with your teen.  Then come back and tell me your stories!  I cannot wait to hear!

Walking with you,

Candy

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