What to write to your child

Selva, founder5 min read

Most parents know they want to write something. Few know where to begin. These prompts are short enough to answer on the school run.

The first year

Write down the small firsts before they blur: the first laugh, the song that always calmed them, the nickname that stuck.

Try this: describe the sound of her laugh this week.

Keep the words they get wonderfully wrong, and the questions they ask at bedtime.

“Keep the words they get wonderfully wrong.”

Keep this as a voice note for her, free

Ask them something and keep the answer, in their own voice if you can.

Try this: ask him what he wants to be, and keep it for his 18th.

Tell them who you are right now: what worries you, what you are proud of, what you hope for them.

What if I’m not a good writer?Say it out loud instead. A ten-second voice note is often more precious than a polished paragraph.

How often should I write?Once a week is plenty. TrueKin sends one question a week, matched to your child’s age.