In an increasingly digitized world where families are often pulled in a thousand directions, finding meaningful ways to connect with your child can feel both urgent and elusive. But what if something as simple as keeping a shared journal could not only strengthen your bond, but also foster emotional intelligence, creativity, and trust?
That’s the premise behind Nicolle Nattrass’s powerful approach to journaling with children, shared as part of The Great Book of Journaling and featured in Eric Maisel’s journaling series. Far more than a record of events, this kind of collaborative journaling is a living, breathing space for shared thoughts, spontaneous creativity, and quiet togetherness. It’s not homework. It’s not a performance. It’s a relationship builder.
Here are six beautifully simple — yet profound — principles that guide this journey:
1. Start with the Right Canvas
Think big — literally. A large blank journal or scrapbook that lies flat on a table sets the tone. It’s not about perfection or pristine presentation; it’s about freedom and space. A bigger page allows for big ideas, wide strokes, and unrestricted creativity. One page can be yours, and the other your child’s — a visual and emotional mirror. And if a fancy journal isn’t handy? Large sheets of paper taped together will do. The key is having a physical container where shared stories can live, uninterrupted and unjudged.
2. Create a Sacred Space
The journal should have a home — a safe place within reach of your child. But more importantly, it should feel like a private, sacred space shared between just the two of you. This is not for school projects or Instagram highlights. It’s about building trust. As Nicolle points out, mutual understanding of boundaries is crucial: if your child is okay with others (like a second parent) joining in, great. If not, that privacy should be honored. Trust is built when we show we’re listening, even to unspoken needs.
3. Let Them Lead the Way
This isn’t a teaching moment or a chance to show your child how things “should” be done. Resist the urge to instruct. Instead, invite your child to take ownership. Maybe they want to decorate the cover. Maybe they want to scribble over your side of the page. Let them. It’s their way of exploring space, autonomy, and even consent. One child’s decision to draw on your page could be the spark for a meaningful conversation about respect and boundaries — conversations that might never happen without this creative outlet.
4. Anything Goes on the Page
Pencil, glitter, magazine clippings, mud from the backyard — there are no wrong materials. Let your child choose what goes on the page, and don’t be surprised if what they choose reflects their world. Found treasures, favorite stickers, torn-up bits of yesterday’s coloring book — all are welcome. They might even want to destroy a page. And that’s okay too. As Nicolle reminds us: there are no journal police. This is their space as much as yours. Let them shape it — or even tear it up — if that’s what they need to do.
5. The Journal Is There When You Need It
Life isn’t predictable. Kids have moods. So do adults. Some days, you’ll feel like journaling. Others, not so much. That’s part of the beauty. The journal doesn’t demand daily attention; it simply waits. As the adult, you can model this flexibility. Use the journal when you’re upset, reflective, joyful, or just need a break. Let your child see that journaling isn’t a task — it’s a tool. An outlet. A soft place to land. And if they don’t want to join one day? That’s okay too. The door is always open, without pressure.
6. Endings Belong to the Child
There’s no timer on this project. It’s not a 30-day challenge or a curriculum. The process may ebb and flow, sometimes intense, other times quiet. Let your child decide when it’s over. Maybe they’ll ask for a journal of their own. Maybe they’ll move on without fanfare. Either way, the experience remains, tucked into their memory as a time when they were seen, heard, and valued — not for what they did or said, but simply for who they are.
A Journal is More Than Paper
When shared with intention, a journal becomes more than pages bound together. It becomes a place of refuge, exploration, and communication — a bridge between you and your child. It offers a new way to be together, not through screens or scheduled events, but through open-ended creativity and the quiet magic of shared moments.
Whether you’re a father, a mother, a grandparent, or a caregiver, consider giving this gentle, soulful practice a try. It asks for very little — just time, presence, and patience. But what it gives back can be immeasurable: connection, trust, and a glimpse into your child’s world, seen through their eyes and expressed in their own words.
After all, some of life’s deepest stories are written not with perfection, but with love — one page at a time.
