There have been quite a lot of times in my adult life when I’ve needed to talk to my husband about something but been unable to speak about it.
Some of those times, the words have just lived inside of me. I think about them over and over, or maybe even make plans to say them, and then end up abandoning those plans when I’m actually in the moment.
Others of those times, I’ve typed what it is I want to say into my phone and handed the phone note to him. Usually with a, “I can’t be in the room and just watch you read this, but I’m going to go away and you can come talk to me in the kitchen when you’re done if you want.”
It’s hard to say things face-to-face, even to someone you trust and love dearly. Sometimes writing it down in a journal, or texting, or writing an email, or writing a note and leaving it, feels less confrontational. Less like your reaction is being watched and weighed.
Less like the other person has to perform the right facial expressions, or even react “correctly” at all.
Make sure your kids (especially your big kids) know they can talk to you other ways than just with their mouths, face to face. And start conversations with them other ways than just with your mouth, face to face. Leave them a note. Make a special journal for the two of you. Text them. Type something up and print it out. Whatever makes sense for your kid and your context.
(It’s far from the most important reason why, but this goes a long way to showing why writing and typing is meaningful beyond just academics, too. ❤️)
