A Sweet Journaling Tradition That Brought Me Closer to My Daughter

As Mother’s Day approaches, I’ve been reflecting on the little things that make motherhood so meaningful — those quiet moments of connection that sneak up on you when you least expect them. A few years ago, my daughter’s school introduced a journaling activity, and it turned into one of the most special traditions we’ve shared.

She was in 4th grade at the time, and part of her class project was to bring home a journal each day. In it, she could write about anything she wanted — what she was learning at school, books she was reading, or what was on her mind. Then, she’d leave the notebook for me to read and write back. What started as a simple school assignment quickly became a treasured back-and-forth between us.

As a mom, I loved this little window into her world. Like many kids, she was the type to answer my “How was school?” with a casual “fine” or “good”. But in the pages of that notebook, she opened up about the things she was excited about and the things she struggled with. I learned about her favorite books, the new math skills she was mastering, and even little worries that might have stayed bottled up otherwise.

I used my entries to cheer her on, share advice, and even tell stories about what school was like when I was her age. It created a safe, easy space for both of us to connect—no pressure, no awkward conversations, just a notebook passed between us at the end of the day. We both looked forward to those simple exchanges, and it helped us grow closer in ways I’ll always be grateful for.

How to Start a Journaling Tradition With Your Child

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to bond with your child, I can’t recommend journaling enough. Whether it’s a daily habit or something you do once a week, passing a notebook back and forth is a beautiful, low-stress way to stay connected.

Make it fun by letting your child personalize their journal with stickers, drawings, or colorful pens. Don’t worry about being perfectly consistent—life is busy! This is meant to be a joyful, flexible tradition.

Even if your child’s school hasn’t assigned something like this, you can easily start your own. In fact, I plan to begin one with my younger daughter this year.

Mother-Child Journal Writing Prompts

To help you get started, here are a few journal writing prompts you can use with your child:

For Kids:

• What was the best part of your day?

• What book are you reading? What do you like about it?

• Who did you hang out with at school?

• Is there anything that’s bothering you?

• What’s something new you learned this week?

For Moms:

• Something I love about you is…

• When I was your age, I liked to…

• A time I felt nervous in school was…

• A fun memory of us together is…

• A book I loved when I was little was…

These writing prompts can spark thoughtful conversations and help your child express themselves in a safe, supportive way.

A Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gift Idea

If you’d love to start this journaling tradition, now’s the perfect time—and a beautiful journal makes it even more special. In my shop, I offer thoughtfully designed journals that are perfect for creating your own mother-child notebook. Not only are they a meaningful gift for Mother’s Day, but they also encourage creativity, self-expression, and connection between you and your little one.

You can check out the collection here—they’re designed with love and make a heartfelt, personal gift for moms and kids to share.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes it’s the simplest traditions that create the strongest bonds. Journaling with my daughter not only brought us closer, but it gave her permission to be vulnerable and share in a way that felt natural for her. This Mother’s Day, I hope you’re inspired to start your own writing tradition—one notebook, a few thoughtful prompts, and a whole lot of love.