Learn All About the Creator of the
Self Esteem Journals for Kids

Author Interview, Continued

Jill Schoenberg, Author and Creator of the Journal Buddies book series.

Continued from Previous Page

What can parents of young and teenage girls and boys do right NOW to help build up their child’s sense of self-esteem and self-confidence?

I think parents of young and teenage girls and boys can best help them to build their sense of self-esteem and self-confidence by encouraging them to express their true Selves creatively and positively.

Let them choose their form of expression, which could come through writing, music, art, sports, common conversations or a myriad of other ways.

A great way for parents to encourage their daughters and sons to express themselves and to help them build up their sense of Self and Spirit—if they don’t already—is through what I call true communication. It’s simply a matter of taking the time to ask their daughter or son what they like and do not like, what interests them or really discourages them and what makes them feel masterful, confident and special.

Parents can discover these things about their kids by sincerely asking and, this is key, actively listening to what their child has to say. I ask parents, however, to be aware and to understand that when a child is asked what he or she thinks, believes and feels it can take a little time for them to become comfortable exerting their true and honest opinion, rather than stating what the child thinks the parent wants to hear. I suggest that parents give their child some time to answer their questions and to do their best not to lead them along in giving “right” answers by gently encouraging honest answers.

Also, I ask parents to do their best to listen to their child without judgment and to learn how to acknowledge and validate their answers. True communication (where there is both speaking and listening) is a powerful tool parents can use to help their kids feel masterful, confident, and special in expressing themselves, which, in turn, will no doubt strengthen their child’s self-esteem and self-confidence.

What makes Journal Buddies different from a regular diary or journal?

I think that many kids, when asked about writing in a diary or journal, often think of writing alone or in private about difficulties, sadness and hardships and keeping their writings secret and maybe even locked away from others. What makes Journal Buddies different from regular diary or journal writing is that it is intended to be openly and actively shared with the journal-keepers chosen journaling buddies.

Also, the focus on Journal Buddies is quite different from a regular diary or journal in that the child and his or her buddies are encouraged to focus on and magnify the positives of who they are and how they want to express themselves, which gives the journal a more positive feel and creative edge.

By encouraging such a creative approach to journal writing, I hope that kids will find the journaling experience more enjoyable, interactive, positive, empowering and FUN!

What role does the journal-keeper's circle of friends play in the Journal Buddies process and why is this so important?

The circle of friends are vitally important for many reasons, the most significant of which is that they become the journal-keeper’s support system. This is significant because we tend to do much better in life and to have a more positive outlook of our future and ourselves when we have a positive support system around us.   You see, in the process of completing Journal Buddies, the journal-keeper’s buddies become a cheering section of sorts that help encourage the child and strengthen their positive outlook of self and others.

Another important role of the circle of friends is that they help the journal-keeper to learn how to become comfortable both giving and receiving compliments. Knowing how to find and describe your positive qualities, traits, and talents and how to find and describe the positive characteristics of others is a valuable life skill that many successful and happy people know very well. The purpose of the journal-keeper's circle of friends is to play a meaningful role in helping the child practice this valuable life skill. For this reason the journal-keeper’s buddies are invaluable to this journaling process.

Are there any additional thoughts or comments you'd like to share with your readers?

It is my intention to inspire kids and adults to expand their concept of journaling.

Journal writing can be a secretive process used to process difficult or challenging emotions, BUT it can also be a shared experience full of positive, feel good words and experiences. Also, journaling can be much more dynamic than simply words written on a page. Journal keeping can and should be a creative and unique expression of an individual. 

I love to see journals covered with bright marker strokes or stickers or poems or drawings or paint or collages or ... the possibilities are truly endless.

Lastly, I hope that people will give themselves permission to record in their journals the many wonderful and sweet things in life that fill us with hope and strengthen and build our self-esteem and self-confidence. We are all magnificent and excellent is so many ways; we just forget to focus on our positives at times.

I encourage everyone to try journaling as a tool to keep focused on the positive aspects of life and to include creativity, fun and sharing into the journal keeping process. 

Happy journaling...