I Want You to Know…Letters to Your Teen

When children are young, building their love, trust and support comes naturally and pretty easily. We give out hugs, snuggles, and love often to children–showering them with “I love you” and kisses at bedtime or squeezes when we drop them off at school.

But as children get older, the physical and emotional connection becomes different. And that’s not a bad thing, it just means that we need to find other ways to stay connected with them–especially as they enter the teenage years. 

In an effort to keep the relationship between my teenage daughter and I strong, I decided to think of something different than typical: Letters. Handwritten letters about a variety of topics and situations she might encounter and words of wisdom and love from me. Letters to your teen. Letters for her to open anytime she needs love, a pick me up, encouragement or just because!

First I collected a cute box and decorated it myself. This was simple enough that even those of us who aren’t crafty can do it! I bought stickers at Joann Fabric’s:

When the box was open, I put the words “Open me” along with the letters to be opened when feeling certain ways or needing reassurance.

Here are some of the types of letters I wrote to my daughter.

Open me:

• When you need tons of love
• To feel amazing
• To know you are loved
• If you feel frustrated
• When you’re lonely
• If you accomplished something awesome
• Because you are you
• If you’re feeling blah
• For a little extra something special
• For a pick me up
• To feel better after an argument
• To know you’re important
• When something has gone completely wrong
• If you’ve reached a personal goal
• When you need courage
• When your’e faced with a tough decision
• If other people are bringing you down
• For a little something positive
• For kindness