Journals and Sketch Books!

It can be very helpful to have a place to write about your feelings and experiences. It can be equally helpful to

have a sketch book to draw in when you are going through something challenging. Both journals and sketch

books have been used at our house through multiple deployments (and homecomings while adjusting to the

service member being back). My daughter and I both used them, and the books can be as simple or fancy as

you like. My favorite journal is actually just a simple Mead composition book (and I have a tendency to tape

things inside it on the pages like cards, photos, letters etc.) I tell my daughter that these are “as needed” jour-

nals, so it’s ok if you are not writing in them everyday. I wouldn’t want something that is supposed to help with

stress relief feel like an obligation or a burden to her. If your kids are ok with it can also be helpful to let the

service member read through the kids journal when they get home to get caught up what they have missed.

Have fun and enjoy!

~A Northside ISD Military Wife

http://nisd.net/militaryfamilies/activities-military-children