I love to write. I write grocery lists, stories, poems, articles, emails, and every once in a while I have a brilliant thought that gets recorded and shared.

In a nutshell, I write because its fun! If it is not fun, why do it? Sometimes, we just need to jump in! That is how I feel about writing. Instead of worrying so much about the "correct" way to write, proper punctuation, and spelling (don't get me wrong, these are extremely important skills), start by getting your ideas down on paper and have fun with it. Writing will become exciting, not a drudgery.

So, get ready to jump into writing! I hope that you will see how much fun writing is, and how easy putting your ideas down on paper can be. And, oh, the rewards that you will see at the end! You'll be amazed and thrilled with what you and your family can write!

Here's an idea I'l like to share with you.

Shared Journal
One Journal, Two Writers

"I've got mail!" There's a blue journal with a ladybug on it, on my pillow tonight!

I have a journal that I share with my daughter. We write entries back and forth to each other, sharing ideas, thoughts, favorite books, and memories I have from when I was her age.

A shared journal is a great way to give individual compliments and attention. Sometimes questions or observations can be made in a journal easier than face to face.

In the shared journal with my other daughter, we doodle and decorate the pages. She loves to draw and express herself through her art. We make plans for trips to the movies or adventures we want to take, we write about favorite characters or artists.

Both journals have been eye-opening. I find that my adult perspective is very different from a 10 year old's-have I forgotten how hard it can be to be a kid, sometimes? I find that my children have profound insights that help me to see the world more clearly.

These journals are a fun forum-not a soapbox or lecture series! I do not correct spelling or grammar. We don't write every day, sometimes it's weeks between entries. My daughters write on one side of their journals, I write on the other.

Sharing a journal can be so rewarding! It is a treasured scrapbook of our relationships as mother and child. And, I hope someday when the questions become more serious, we'll have a healthy relationship where answers and questions can be discussed and answered.