4 Tips to Actually Succeed at Writing Encouragement Cards for Your Kids (Even if you’re ‘not a writer’)

Ok, so you’ve decided, “Yes! I’m going to commit to writing encouragement cards for my kids to boost their positive character qualities!”

And then you sit down and wonder, “What the heck am I supposed to write about?” If you’re like many parents, memories of mishaps and challenges from the week begin to flood your mind.

But don’t let those overtake you!

Here are 4 ways to get the mental wheels turning so that you can write an encouraging note each week without fail!

Tip #1: Pick one or two character traits to focus on each time.

This will focus your attention. You have two options here:

1. Highlight a trait that you clearly observed recently, and praise it with an example.

   

2. Choose a trait you would like to see more of, and include a soft example of this in action along with encouragement to continue exhibiting the characteristic.


• Example 1

  The way you spent time working through that tough writing assignment in your Language Arts curriculum showed great determination. I look forward to seeing what else you’ll accomplish with that kind of grit!goes here

• Example 2

  Thank you for always making sure that our cats have fresh water to drink. You are very caring to think about their needs, and we all love you so much!


One or two traits is enough to fill up an index card. (Here’s a list of 27 positive traits to help you out.) This limited focus will not only help you find an example to discuss, it will also focus the child’s attention on one idea at a time.

Tip #2: Schedule a time and place to write the cards.

To be successful at establishing a new habit, you need a clearly defined intention statement with a “where” and “when.”

Here’s an example:

I will write encouragement cards each Friday at 10 am while sitting at my desk. The colorful index cards are kept in my drawer along with a pen on my desk, and a weekly reminder is scheduled on my phone.

Learn how I implemented the Four Laws of Habits into my encouragement cards routine.

Tip #3: Keep notes throughout the week.

This is pretty simple. If you want to know what to write about when you sit down, keep a list throughout the week. I do this digitally in the “Notes” app on my iPhone. You can write it on a simple notepad, in your fancy planner or on Monday’s Aldi receipt.

However you transcribe your thoughts, keep them in an obvious location where you can easily access them at your scheduled time.

If you have time, jot down your encouraging note right after you think of it! Then save it until you hand out all of your kids’ notes at the scheduled time.

Tip #4: Ask someone else for ideas—or “borrow” them.

If you’ve had a week where you can’t even remember last night’s dinner, send a quick text to a friend or grandparent to ask if they’ve noticed anything that has stood out about your child lately. Sometimes the most attractive qualities are observed by people who aren’t around our children 24/7. Don’t hesitate to phone a friend!

Similarly, piggyback on compliments your child has already received from a piano teacher, friend’s mom or coach, and include these on your encouragement cards. This will remind the child of the kind words as well as reiterate their influential impact on the people around them. A sense of belonging in a caring community of family and friends is extremely important for overall wellbeing.


You Got This!

I don’t care if you’re “not a writer” or “don’t have the time” or are “sleep-deprived.” You can do this! You can do hard things. Start with just one sentence.

The positive impact it will have on your kids won’t be realized for years to come. But one day you’ll look back and think, “Gee, I’m so glad I took the time to write those encouraging words to my kids despite being [insert excuse here].”

And that makes it so worth it!