A few months ago, while browsing through Pinterest, I came across a very interesting item…the Mama & Me Journal. This is basically a composition style notebook that you can create for your child and yourself, to write back and forth to each other, as if you were pen pals. Sometimes, your child might feel embarrassed or even afraid to talk about some very important topics with you. That’s why this notebook is perfect; as it allows them the freedom to ask questions or discuss concerns they may be having, (especially during the tough tween/teen years), without having an uncomfortable conversation with you. It’s important for your child to know that this is a private journal that only the two of you will be reading.
Even though my daughter is very open with me and we have some very honest talks, because I’m crafty, I really liked the idea and decided to try it out. I found a cool pink and black composition notebook at Target, (you can use any type notebook or journal) and then downloaded the label from the original website. I then wrote my first entry, explaining how the journal works, and also as a dedication page.
Luckily, I discovered this project a few weeks before her 13th birthday, so I wrapped it up as one of her presents. She loved it and told me it was her favorite gift of all, and that it meant a lot to her.
For the past few months, we’ve exchanged journal entries. I also sometimes include insightful, interesting articles for girls her age, and I print them out and glue them inside the journal. So far it’s going really well. I know that she is enjoying it and I hope that she will look back in the years to come, and remember the things we discussed while she was growing up. Maybe one day she will create a journal for her and her daughter…
Listen2Mama 
Awww this is so sweet. I hope I’ll remember this when I gave my own child. I find this really interesting and helpful for the parent-child bonding. This way they can open up to each other without the awkwardness. ^^
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Thank you and yes I agree, it really opens up lines of communication!
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I absolutely love the idea of this. What a great keepsake this would be for our kids when they grow up.
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This is such a great idea,it would be so good for kiddies to be able to look back in years to come and bring back memories.I think that it is also good if there are kiddies that do not want to tell you something direct.I have always found it easier to write down what I wanted to say rather than try to explain in some certain situations.
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What a sweet idea! Love this – it’s a great way to keep the communication open.
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what a great idea. My daughter did this with her teacher and loved it
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I wish I had known about this idea when my daughter was younger. I think it’s a great idea!
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My daughter and I tried this but she quit writing back to me. HA!
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I like this idea a lot. I am sure even the most open kids will hide a thing or two. Thanks for sharing.
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I often do this activity with my students when we are buddy reading a book. It is a great way to get their thoughts about the book down on paper.
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I keep a journal like this one with my students. It is a great way to get their thoughts about the book down on paper.
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I adore this idea. What a great keepsake this would be for kids when they grow up.
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I love this! I want to do this with my kids after they learn to read and write.
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This one of the most cutest ideas I’ve seen, I’d love to do this!
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This would be great to do with my son now. He’s now 13. My daughter is 18 so may not want to do this with me. This is such a great idea.
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That is a great idea. My daughter did this a lot but not with the note book.
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This is so adorable! I’m definitely doing this! Thank you.
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What a wonderful way to make great memories with your daughter. I love it!
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That is one of the best ideas I’ve heard about in a long time. I can see this being really, really helpful as they enter the tween years.
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Awww, the journal is such a sweet idea. I love it, thank you for sharing!
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I started one of these with my daughter about 5 years ago. We used it a lot as she was entering her teens to ask all the embarrassing questions. Use has died off these past few months, but she will occasionally whip it out to tell me something still every now and again.
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I love this and I say it is never too late to do this. I would love to start one of these with my 85 year old mother.
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This is a great idea! My daughter is five, but I think that it is never to late to start something like this, right?
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I think this is adorable! I think it would be helpful for a mother and child to be able to talk about things that otherwise the child would be too scared to talk about. Also, this journal would be a neat keepsake for the child when they became an adult.
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I think the same thing, I’m sure she would love to look back at this when she’s older…
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Interesting idea. I’ve never had the ability to speak openly to my mother unfortunately.. something like this could have helped.
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Wow! what a great idea. I think even having one as a family would be a great keepsake. Children could write notes to their siblings.. stuff that they wouldn’t otherwise say.
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