Journaling: The Art of Self Expression

Every therapist I have ever met has suggested journaling as a therapy and relaxation technique. I agree. It's just hard to find the time to do it. I think with all the things I want to say, I would be going to bed with my kids at 8:30 pm so that I can get to my nighttime journal. It is a wonderfully therapeutic tool and it would be great if everyone kept one. My husband and I are so different, I would be interested to read his account of a kid meltdown verses my own. I think a different perspective can be very healthly to examine.

I think journaling is additionally important when you are parenting special kids. For one thing, the journal can serve as proof of your or your children's insanity. I'm being silly, but a journal is a great record of time. I enjoy going through my journal and reading what was happening a few years ago. I sometimes read portions to my husband and remind him that we have been through tougher times.

An awesome psychologist I know offered this template for journaling our kids daily. Journaling the kids can teach us so much. We can begin to see patterns in the kids' behavior and develop better behavioral plans. we can document for the professionals in our kids' lives each day. This is especially important if the child is taking behavioral medications. Sometimes, when parents are frustrated and talking with the psychiatrist, it can be hard to articulate the exact problem. Comments like, "she's driving me crazy!" and "the meds aren't working" are not as effective as showing the doctor a daily record of behavior changes. Here are some suggestions for journaling your child daily:

• What is the weather like today?
• How many hours of sleep did the child get?
• What foods were eaten? Any odd dietary changes?
• General health of child
• Any changes in their daily routine?
• Emotional stability?
• Any stresses that you are aware of?
• Comments/happenings

Additionally important is journaling yourself daily. Too often we forget that our reactions to our kids behaviors can be based in our own issues like tiredness, hormonal imbalance, stresses or poor eating habits.

• How many hours of sleep did you get?
• What foods did you eat?
• What stresses are bothering you? Did you fight with anyone today? Why?
• How did you take care of yourself today?
• How did I improve myself today?
• Did I exercise?
• Did I pray or meditate?

I've designed a printable form based on the above questions. Feel free to print the sheet multiple times or just print it once and place it at the front of your journal to answer the questions daily.