Not all journals are for yourself exclusively. Some would rather leave their writings to their children as heirlooms. Here are a few writing prompts to get you started.
Journal Prompts for a Journal That You Will Leave to Your Children (Heirloom Journals)
- Tell your children how much you love them.
- List and explain life concepts that you find imperative to know.
- What is your name? What is the name of the other parent?
- How did you meet the other parent? Describe this relationship.
- What are your children’s names? Why did you name them this?
- Describe something that is unique about each of your children.
- Describe a special moment that you have enjoyed with each of your children.
- When were you born?
- When were your children born?
- Where were you born?
- Where were your children born?
- Where did you live during childhood? Did you enjoy it? Why? Why not?
- Where did you raise/are you raising your children? (Author’s note: The early years are especially crucial to record, since the children might not recall the details.)
- Who raised you? What is your relationship like with your parents or parental figures?
- Describe your childhood.
- Describe what you hope your children will take from their childhood.
- Do you have siblings? List your siblings. Explain what your relationship was like with them in childhood and what the relationship is like now.
- Describe what you’ve learned from your relationship with your siblings.
- Did you have pets as a child? How was that experience for you?
- What were your favorite toys?
- What from your childhood have you incorporated into your parenting?
- What from your childhood have you not permitted in your parenting?
- What traditions would you prefer that you children maintain?
- How would you prefer that your children remember you?
- Share quotes from your favorite people – e.g. relatives, authors, speakers, neighbors, etc.
- List and explain books, songs, or other media that you want your children to remember.
- What are your food preferences?
- What are your dietary restrictions?
- Are any of your food choices related to significant family traditions? Explain them.
- Quote your children, anything that stands out to you. (Author’s note: It has been my experience that older children ask, “What was I like at the age of X? “ “Did I have a catchphrase back then?”)
- Affix notes from your children into the journal and explain the circumstances under which you gained possession of them.
- Who is someone important to you that your children never met? (e.g. Their deceased great grandfather) Describe that person.
- Explain why journaling is important and why you have given this journal to your children.
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