I found this idea on Pinterest a while ago and knew right away it was something I’d love to start with my daughter. She and I have had an interesting relationship lately… hot and cold to put it nicely. :) I’m hoping it’s just normal 7 year old angst (is there such a thing?!) but I thought that communicating together in a fun way might help bridge the gap. It’s a simple concept… get a notebook of some kind (I used a composition book that I had altered earlier but never used. See the tutorial I did here.) and make it pretty. It could be plain too, but I think dressing it up a little helps it seem more special. :) On the first page write a note inviting your daughter to be your pen pal. Instead of mailing letters back and forth, you just keep them all in this notebook. Then leave it on her bed for her to find. When she writes back, she’ll leave it on your bed. I used the opening letter found on this site:
Dear ,
Would you like to be pen pals? I thought it would be fun to be pen pals, but instead of sending letters through the mail, we’ll keep them in this notebook. I will write to you, and leave the notebook on your bed. Then, when you want to write me back, you write on the next page and leave the notebook on my bed.
You can write anything you like. It can be funny or serious or anything you want to write. Sound like fun?
Love,
Mom
P.S. Write back soon! XOXOX!
It’s only been a few weeks since we started our notebook and it’s such a sweet treat when I see she’s left it on my bed. Her little notes are cute and heartwarming…and it helps her practice writing, which is always good! Here’s her latest response to my letter asking her about the first week of second grade….
I hope this is a tradition we continue for a long time. Thanks for stopping by!
September 20, 2012 at 2:07 pm
I know you will cherish this ALWAYS!!! A wonderful idea!
September 20, 2012 at 3:47 pm
That is such an amazing idea!!!!!
September 20, 2012 at 6:36 pm
What a wonderful idea! I will totally try doing this with my 8 year old son. What a special place to write down and capture thoughts. This will definitely be a keepsake that you both will cherish forever!
. Thanks so much for sharing!
September 20, 2012 at 6:58 pm
She is writing so great for second grade. Congrats & Aloha.
September 21, 2012 at 9:04 am
i love this idea, nicole! i definitely think this will be a great vehicle for communication through the years!
September 21, 2012 at 9:45 am
Oh my goodness….SO SWEET!!! I love this idea! I’m going to make two today! Thanks for sharing it, Nicole!!!!!
September 21, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Nearly made me cry!! what an amazing keepsake, my daughter is 9 and she is coming out of that “age” of “attitude” it does get better!
September 22, 2012 at 2:33 pm
So cute. I love that your daughter is as excited as you are. Would you believe that I just started one with my 11-year old? She is getting to the age where you don’t always want to talk to your mom. So I told her that this could be our place where we can write the things that we have a hard time saying. I hope that this will be a fun way for us to keep our relationship nice & strong. Enjoy this great idea. It will be a special thing for you both to look back on in years to come.