We’ve all experienced that moment a few hours after we talk with our kids, and think, “Man, I really should have said _______,” or “I probably could have worded that a little differently.”
Whether you were consoling them, encouraging them, or disciplining them, children value the words they hear from you. Both good and bad, your words have the power to influence your kids in a big way. While we all strive to speak positively to our kids, nobody is a perfect parent and we all slip up sometimes. And let’s face it, it is much easier to put words down on paper than to say them out loud.
Writing gives you the opportunity to think about what you want to say, word it exactly how you want, and not worry about interjections or distractions in a conversation.
The art of letter writing isn’t very popular in this day and age, but it is something that can greatly benefit your relationship with your child and here’s why:
1. Letter writing is a great way to form a special bond between you and your kids
Conversations can be forgotten, and kids can choose what they want to remember. But there is something about a handwritten letter that expresses a love and care that most spoken words can’t express. When your child sees you took time out of your day to write them a letter, it is a tangible way for your child to see the love you have for them. Many times, the phrase, “I love you” can be overused and the value can be diminished. But holding a letter and seeing the love you have for them expressed in a visible way can have a huge impact.
Start when your kids are young. Write little notes in their lunch box or longer letters expressing how much you love and appreciate them. You’d be amazed at how much one simple note can change a child’s day.
2. Your child is eventually going to grow up
It’s the moment every parent dreads: when their baby is finally old enough to move out of the house. Letter writing is a great way to keep that special bond between parent and child intact. Yes, a phone call or a text will suffice to check-in on your grown-up child. But again, there is something about a handwritten letter that says so much more. That letter might also be a source of comfort for your child when you aren’t there to hug them and make everything better. It gives them something to cherish that they can look at time and time again and be comforted by your unconditional love for them.
You could even write letters to your child to open in the years to come. This is a great way to remember special memories or give them advice that would be more beneficial to read as an adult. Writing letters is sort of a time capsule that captures and conveys love in a way that everyday conversations can’t.
3. Writing letters can express your true feelings towards your child
Often when we speak, we tend to forget what we want to say or our words come out a little differently than we would have liked. Writing letters gives you the opportunity to express exactly how you feel without leaving a single thing out. Many of us aren’t good at expressing our feelings to begin with, even if it is to our own child. Writing gives us the outlet to say what we want to say without the intimidation factor or other distractions. Write letters that express your love for your child, how proud you are of them, how much you value your relationship, and all those things that you want to say but just don’t ever say to them.
Letter writing is a powerful tool that can benefit any relationship, but especially that of a parent and child. It’s something your children will cherish for years to come and a great tradition to start in your family. In this fast-paced world, writing some handwritten letters might just be exactly what your family needs to slow down and appreciate each other more.
