I know I talk about journaling all the time…..but it’s like eating and sleeping for me. I’m never in a hurry at the DMV or the doctor’s office or in standstill traffic because I always have a journal with me that I can jot down lists, a quote off the radio, a website someone mentions etc. I take notes in church with my journal and even have it nearby when watching movies to jot down an inspirational quote.
I have another set of journals that I’ve turned into more of a family journal. Having a group journal around is a great way to connect in a way that the entire family will love to look back upon. I always have a journal in the car or when we travel. Create ongoing activities and sharing…..like when out to dinner or at the park. Make waiting at the doctor’s office or a long drive go quicker by initiating a new questionnaire or wishlist. I typically use a composition notebook because it fits easily into most bags and has a sturdy cover.
Here’s an example of a family survey….the same question asked of every family member. (see also Placemat Survey)
Ban texting and checking the phones during restaurants and pull out the journal for sketching and questions!
Some leaves we found on a trip to Charlotte:
I’m helping with a parenting class at church (Effective Parenting in a Defective World by Chip Ingram) and this is one of the activities we are adding as a supplement….family journal inspiration. Every family gets a journal set and a set of prompts to start them off:
Here’s a copy of the prompts so that you can follow along too….. ( Click here for a printable version to stick in your journal for the road.)
A page I made with my nephews years and years ago. They picked the monster parts and I created the resulting monster. The photos were mini polaroid stickers.
Interesting happenings at school as copied down before leaving the school parking lot:
A page we made at Crafting Community to remember it:
A “wish list” for books at the bookstore:
This is part of the Lil Journal Project.
I love all of your journal posts! thanks for the prompts printable – will be sharing this one on FB today – thanks xx
Thank you Deb!
This reminds me of the SMASH books that I keep except you have given me ideas to actually carry it with me everywhere (glue stick included)! Thanks!
Hello, Thank you for sharing your ideas, you are so creative and organized! We have friends over and they just started their journal writing and drawing something everyday,
it will be great to look up to it. We are starting ours.
Thank you!
Thank you for such great ideas! I’ve been searching for a great family themed idea to pass time when we’d normally be grabbing our phones & iPads. Thanks for sharing!
I love this idea!
I have always journaled, but I love the idea of getting the family involved and creating keepsakes. I know my girls especially will enjoy this too. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jen
Is there more cards in the set? I would love to be able to journal just don’t know where to start.
Also how do you start a blog? This is something I would love to do.
Thanks
Kim
Great ideas! I love the idea of doing this with my boys who can barely write and see how they grow over time in the journal. I love creating these habits and traditions within our family!
This is a TOTALLY random comment…but over 12 years ago Chip Ingram’s brother, Ryan, came to Hong Kong (where I am from and was living at the time) and did a concert at my youth group with his band…and then, a couple of years later when I was training with a youth missions group for a couple of months, Chip was one of the speakers. It was so weird/random to see that you are helping with a parenting class with Chip.