Adventures in Parenting

When was the last time you received a personal piece of mail in your mailbox? I mean in your mailbox as in the one out in the front of your house, not your Email Inbox.

It’s a thrill when I get a personally addressed piece of mail. While email is certainly efficient, I miss getting mail in the mailbox.

So today, on Day 20 of our 30 Days to Better Parenting Challenge, I’d like to reinstate the art of letter writing in our family. I hope our children can see there is still value in a handwritten letter.

Today, have each person write a short letter or draw a picture, just to say hello to a loved one. Let’s take out some paper, or pretty stationery if you have some. But I know most people don’t buy stationery anymore, so any kind of paper will do. For grade school children, lined paper would be best. For the young ones who do not know how to write, a piece of drawing paper would work. Decide on a different person each member can write to – grandma, aunt, cousin, friend – even ones who live down the street can be the recipient of your letter.

The content of the letter does not have to be long or complicated. A simple personal message would be great.

Then work together to address the envelopes. Most children do not know how to properly address the envelop and put their return address. I bet your children don’t know how much it costs to send a letter. With changes in postal rates, even I have lost touch with how many stamps I need to mail a local letter.

This activity brings our children back to the traditional method of keeping in touch with loved ones. This letter writing effort shows a personal touch that I know will be appreciated by the receiver.