Family Wellness Tip
Family Pen Pals
Pen Pal with my family? I know them. We live in the same house. Why waste the paper when I can text or snap?
Sometimes the people we live with can be the ones we don't give enough attention to. An easy way to connect is to write a note or letter to someone in your house.
A lot of times it is hard to start talks with kids. To say the right thing. To not get emotional about something they said. To not give advice.
Kids are still learning to talk about things. To say things the way they mean them. To manage their emotions. To not be scared to say what they think or how they feel. To not hurt other's feelings.
Teens, too, are still learning to talk. They prefer talking to their friends than the people taking care of them. They worry about belonging and being seen as okay. They worry about opening up and being rejected.
Becoming a Pen Pal is a way to open lines of communication. Talk about things. Give kids a chance to express themselves. What you talk about doesn't always have to be serious. Discuss a movie, a video, or event. Tell them a little about you. Be open in an age appropriate way, so they can understand. Let things flow on their own. Give kids a chance to be heard.
Sometimes in the letters, a big topic may come up. You may want to talk face to face, and they may want to keep it to the letters. This is a great chance to give them what they need. A chance to talk on their terms. This will open so many doors for future talks, serious or not.
