Write Your Kids
Ideas for creating a rich record of your kid’s childhood. Learn more here. Like this? Subscribe below.
Slow Transitions
Some changes happen all at once, while others, by degrees over time. By definition, the slow transitions are harder to notice, but no less valuable to write about (even if it takes a bit of practice).
Before, During and After
It might seem intuitive to only wait until an event has passed to write about it, but even a quick note leading up to the event, or during it, evoke the memory in a different light.
Record their voices
Record your kids’ voices as they talk about important things, or wholly unimportant things. You’ll be surprised at what the subtraction of the visual element can add.
Personal precepts
Encourage them to define a rule to live by, and check in every so often on how it’s evolved.
Mispronunciations
Jot down an amusing mispronunciation of a word or phrase. Even better, capture it as audio. There will be plenty of time later to correct them. For now, just enjoy it.
Apologize for a wrong
Apologize when you’ve done something wrong to them. It’s good for them to know that, yup, even parents fuck up from time to time.
What’s their bedroom like?
Describe your kid’s bedroom, and how it’s evolved, in all its idiosyncratic little details.
Why you should write your kids
Writing your kids (meaningless acronym: WYK) is a great way to document the infinite magical details that make up a childhood. Looking back on this together, they’ll learn about themselves, and you might just learn something about yourself, too.