The options and topics are endless while using prompts still provide a way to learn about your child and get their creative juices flowing.
General / About Me Journal Prompts
Gratitude
Imaginative Journal Prompts
School
Hope these help Have a great journal prompt idea? Leave a comment below and let me know!
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My goal with Home Sweet Homes is to recommend share the very best resources, tools, products, or services that I know or use myself and truly feel deliver value to you. Your support helps me support my family as a single mom and my endeavors as a small business owner. Thank you kindly for your support.
The beauty of journaling is that the only thing needed to start is a writing instrument and a journal. But, taken a step further, journaling is also art. It is a form of expression with freedom to be creative and let the imagination run wild. With just a few supplies, you can transform the entire look and feel of any journal. Luckily, the supply options are endless and inexpensive.
My son and I have been journaling since he was four and here are some of our favorite materials and supplies we use in our Home Sweet Homes Journal.
The entire product list can be found on my Amazon storefont page.
1. Ballpoint Pens
Standard ballpoints are great because they are waterproof! I learned the lesson the hard way after somehow we got a drop of water on one of our journal pages and the writing got totally washed out. To take preventive steps against any accidents, I'd recommend these BIC Ballpoint Pens which come in lots of assorted colors.
2. Crayola SuperTip Markers
This Crayola SuperTip Marker set is amazing because of the wide variety of colors and it doesn’t bleed through the paper. As an FYI, I created the journal with thicker 120 gsm paper specifically to avoid this issue as this journal will become your child's treasured keepsake.
The one drawback of these markers was covered up above. If it comes in contact with water, it will fade/disappear and you'll no longer be able to read what was once there. We love these markers so much that I use them to write journal entries but make sure we steer clear of any liquid when doing so.
Crayons are incredible for journaling because they come in a ton of different colors and are extremely low-cost. Chances are you have these at home already but there have been some amazing innovations since I grew up in the 80's with pearl, glitter, and confetti crayons which is beyond exciting!
4. Pencils
Both regular and colored pencils are also must-have supplies when it comes to journaling. I find that half the time, my 6 year-old gravitates towards his favorite "fancy pencil" (it's one of those plastic ones that have multiple tips that you pull out to get a new sharp one). Having a favorite writing instrument just for journaling can actually help make the journaling process feel like a special ritual.
5. Stickers
This goes without saying but kids (and adults) love stickers. They make everything more fun, colorful and it's a great way to bring your own sense of style and personalization to your journal.
>> Tip for use: Get some motivational/positive praise stickers and award them to your child when s/he has accomplished something. I know my son feels a sense of achievement and is proud to look at the stickers he's earned when he looks back on his journal.
You'll find great options at the dollar store and Amazon.
6. Washi tape
In the blank pages, I like to create a scrapbook by printing out pictures from each month and securing it there. Of course, I want it to look cute, fun and colorful. Washi tape is perfect for the job. As a bonus, if you make a mistake you can easily reposition pictures tearing the journal paper. If you plan on using this tape for photos as well, I’d avoid the thin 5mm width tapes and go with anything 8mm or thicker. Here is a great starter Washi tape set I just purchased and love.
You'll find that these few supplies will go a long way as kids will find a way to be creative and make it their own. No matter how it looks, your child's writing and artwork will be preserved in their journal and treasured for years to come.
Are there any other supplies you recommend? Drop a comment below and let me know! Happy Journaling!
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On this episode of the Live. Love. Engage. podcast, we also discussed the following:
More about Gloria Grace Rand: She is the founder of the L.O.V.E. Method™. Women entrepreneurs hire Gloria to become spiritually aligned with their business so they can be more successful doing what they love. Even though they’re great at what they do, most are struggling to connect with their ideal clients and need a boost in confidence. Gloria helps them trust their inner wisdom, so they can attract and convert more clients. Bottom line, you are guaranteed to live fully, love deeply, and engage authentically with Messages from the Heart.
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Once the decision to divorce/separation has been made, we as parents, can and need to help our children through this difficult time. While we can’t change the situation, we can help influence the way our child perceives and handles this life changing event. And we can do so through the simple yet effective act of journaling.
My son is now 5 and we've been journaling for a year using our Home Sweet Homes co-parenting journal. It’s a unique child-led tool created for children of divorce that stays with the child allowing him/her to feel connected and still part of the family unit.
Through our consistent journaling practice, my son’s father and I have seen a wondrous transformation in our son. We’ve noticed his ability to better identify and talk about his feelings, improved communication skills, and overall happiness. We plan on continuing our journaling practice with our son and encourage you to start a practice with your child as well.
Here are the 7 Benefits of Journaling for Kids of Divorce and/or Separation
The benefits of journaling for children of divorce don’t end here. Other advantages include some the more traditional benefits including:
The beauty of journaling is that it’s completely free and anybody can do it. Journaling with a child can be done as early as age 4! If a child can't write yet, it still makes for a wonderful bonding activity where a parent (or other adult) can lead the discussion, ask questions to get the child thinking and help record responses.
We hope these benefits of journaling for children of divorce inspires you to start a practice with your child or recommend it to someone you know to try it.
Save, share, or pin this list of benefits!
]]>Being a completely new tool and concept, I’ve put together a list of guidelines, tips and tricks that will help you get started or help guide your decision as to whether this tool is right for your family.
While these guidelines have been compiled based off my family’s experience as well as my personal advice, all family dynamics differ so what is applicable to my family may not be for yours and vice versa. It’s important that as the parent, you hone in on your child's response and reaction to the tool. If and when in doubt, seek professional advice from your therapist or counselor.
General Guidelines, Tips & Tricks for Using Home Sweet Homes Co-parenting Journal
10 Guidelines for Parents
In 2020, my desire to figure out a way to support my son as he transitioned between his father’s home and mine was just about that. It was solely about finding a way to help him - nothing else. My son was close to turning 4-years-old at the time so his ability to comprehend what was going on and communicate how he felt was increasing by the day.
After coming across a mini planner and deciding to experiment using it as an organizer, journal, and diary combo, I knew within seconds that I loved this idea. Having the opportunity to read about things like what my son ate for dinner, that him and his dad built a fort together and how potty training went with dad brought me immense comfort and joy as it allowed me to still be a part of my son’s life even on the days he was away.
It was only a few weeks after continuing to use this tool that I decided to design and create what would eventually become Home Sweet Homes. It was my chance to dream up how I wanted this tool to function for us as a family as for the three of us as individuals.
Little did I know that this co-parenting journal and planner would end up being a multi-faceted tool that serves many purposes. I hope you enjoy this list - let me know which benefits are your favorite and whether I missed any on this list!
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I can't tell you how exciting yet surreal it is to be launching my small business, the Home Sweet Homes Journal & Planner for co-parents and child.
What started off in June 2020 as a personal desire to help my son adjust to the back and forth between homes, has led me on this unexpected yet welcome path in life. Creating Home Sweet Homes has filled me with so much purpose and hope that this tool will change the lives of children and parents around the globe who also are also struggling with the challenges of staying connected post separation/divorce.
My co-parent and I recently finished filling out the journal and planner that started it all. It was a $2 planner I purchased from the dollar store back in June 2020. It’s filled with a year’s worth of sweet and tender memories of my son’s life in both his homes. It is and will be one of the most special and treasured keepsakes from my son’s childhood and a reminder to myself that if you can dream it… you can do it.
After a year of countless late nights, weekends, and tears, Home Sweet Homes is now an actual, tangible tool which I am so honored to share with you and your child’s two homes. I look forward to bringing connection, comfort, and joy to you and your family.
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