So far this is how it's worked. I have scoured the internet for some sort of writing prompt. When we settle in together, I share the prompt. Everyone writes or draws their response. Then I ask if anyone wants to share what they've written or drawn, but remind them that sharing is completely optional. No one has to share anything.
Any ideas for future prompts are very, very welcome! Any input or ideas of any kind is also very welcome. I am totally making this up as I go along, so appreciate all input and guidance.
The first night we went over the Journal Rules: You are allowed to write or draw anything you want in your journal. Anything. You never have to share anything you don't want to from your journal, but you may share anything you'd like. Journals are PRIVATE. No one has permission UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES to read or look in another person's journal, without their express permission. By express permission I mean: that they are right there with you in the same room while you are reading and they said that it was okay that same hour. Someone sharing something with you once does NOT give you permission to look in their journal whenever you want.So far these have been our prompts:
What is your superpower?
What is your kryptonite?
Draw or describe your supersuit, super lair, or super mobile.
(all of those were taken from here )
Describe a time when you were courageous.
What is your biggest fear?
Draw the depths of your heart.Tonight these will be our prompts:
Write about the worst day of your life. What made it so bad? What, if anything, did you learn from that day?
Write about the best day, or a great day of your life. What made it so good? What, if anything, did you learn from that day?
Write and acrostic poem using your name, using only positive adjectives or attributes to describe yourself.
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI love how you use journaling as a family activity everyone can enjoy. I especially appreciate the rules you have laid out for everyone's privacy, so they can feel safe in a loving family environment to share from their journal if they choose to. That show of mutual respect is worth sharing!
I have chosen your post, Family Journal Project, as the #JournalChat Pick of the Day for all things journaling on Twitter. I will be posting it on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and my blog Refresh with Dawn Herring.
You're welcome to follow my @JournalChat account on Twitter where I post links for all things journaling!
Be refreshed,
Dawn Herring
JournalWriter Freelance
@JournalChat on Twitter
Thanks, Dawn! Do I dare create a Twitter account? Do I risk getting sucked in further to SocialNetworkingLand?? I'd sure love more resources for helping us along with writing prompts and ideas, though!
ReplyDeleteIf I could have been asked to journal anything at all when I was a kid, it would have been "What do you believe?" because I think it would have helped me sort out a lot about myself. Not what my parents believe, not what my friends believed, but what I actually believed.. and if the answer was "I don't know," even that would have helped me out a lot.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note.. is your husband an unwilling participant in the project?
I think it's a pretty neat project.. but for me, I feel your husband's position more than anything, and I'd probably be passing a few movements of my own if I were roped into something like that.
It isn't that the project is bad.. it's just that it isn't for me. And if it isn't for your husband, I hope you don't intend to force him into it because.. I mean, we're all different. We like what we like and we don't what we don't. Being forced to participate in something that is in essence extra-curricular seems pointless as an adult.
As a child, I remember being forced into so many things I didn't want to do, and my dad right along with us really.. I think if I could re-wind time and decide on a lesson for me to have learned instead of what transpired, I think the best lesson would be to have been able to see is that I can be or do anything I want -- and not be forced into things which I do NOT want.
Seeing my dad forced to be involved in so many things he didn't want to be involved with was a very depressing note in my childhood as I look back. I took notice, you know.. of everything. Children are very aware and the impressions, even subtle-ones, are long-lasting. Sometimes what seems like a positive note in the present, may actually proceed to be negatively implied in the back of one's subconscious for years to come.
While there will always be things in life we "have" to do (like work and pay the bills), I don't think anyone should ever be forced into a "not-have-to" activity. It should willingly come from the heart and from the "soul".. and all that junk :P rofl.
I think I'm just rambling on at this point, though. I think my point is... if it's not him, why try to make him something he's not.
And if he volunteered but is still acting as though he just ate an entire lemon whole, perhaps he should be questioned as to his motivations for participating and whether or not he really wants to be involved.
I really appreciate your input so, so much! No--no one if forced. I ask my husband every night if he wants to join, and remind him that it's okay if he doesn't. I wouldn't force the kids to join either if they didn't feel like it. LOL! An optional project, is so NOT my hill to die on. :D
ReplyDeleteWe really need to get back to doing that... ;)
ReplyDelete