Giving a Grandparent Journal
I’m not sure if you saw the comment left by Gayla on my Christmas Journal Gifts for Yourself blog entry. But I thought the idea of giving a “Grandmother’s Journal” and “Grandfather’s Journal” for Christmas was just terrific. What a perfect way to let your grandparents know you’d love to learn their stories.
As far as encouraging them to actually write in these journals perhaps a little extra help will make them excited about doing so. In my recent blog entry Keeping a Genealogy Research Journal you may find some excellent links. Print out any prompts or worksheets you think might help jog memories. Include these in the journal you are giving. Perhaps include important dates and events with photographs on pages, with loads of room to write, to help them focus in on specific moments in their lives. You could print out prompts in large letters and paste them every few pages to encourage these wonderful memories to be written on the pages. If memory is a real issue for your elderly relative perhaps check out some of these ideas.
Be sure the journal you choose isn’t too heavy, as they may want to carry it around. Be prepared to offer any help they might want, too. Elderly relatives really love spending time with their loved ones. Offer to help them in whatever way you can. Perhaps have a photo sorting session together or make a list together of the things they’d like to write about.
If you decide to give a grandparent journal this Christmas, or at any time, please be sure to share your joys and successes in the comments section below to help anyone else wishing to gift their grandparent with such a treasured gift.
Heather
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5 opinions for Giving a Grandparent Journal
Laura
Dec 19, 2007 at 5:21 am
I have often considered getting my grandmother one of these guided journals but as her physical and mental abilites deteriorate I’m afraid the journal would go unused. Even with large amounts of help some elderly people may be unwilling to talk about their sometimes cloudy memories, sometimes painful memories. So if someone decides to get one of these journals be sure to weigh the personality of the gift receiver and be prepared to give a lot of help.
Heather Goldsmith
Dec 19, 2007 at 8:55 am
Hi Laura,
Yes, I agree, this type of gift is not for every grandparent. Hopefully, anyone thinking about giving such a gift would have to seriously consider if it was the right gift. Thanks for adding your thoughts on this topic. ;-)
More on Grandparent Journals
Dec 19, 2007 at 10:43 am
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Kate
Dec 29, 2007 at 1:56 pm
While Laura is right that some very frail or elderly grandparents may have difficulty filling out a life story journal, or even dictating to you, don’t let this stop you from trying, before it’s too late. Many, many can do it and really appreciate the interest you show in their lives. They can pick and chose the prompts they want to answer based on what they remember and care to share.
My husband and his grandfather co-created a fill-in journal to make it easy for people to tell a life story. THE BOOK OF MYSELF: A Do-it-Yourself Autobiography in 201 Questions (Carl and David Marshall, Hyperion, 1997 and 2007) has sold over 260,000 copies! When his grandfather’s friends were envious of Carl’s free form memoirs, they created this journal to make it easier for non-writers.
We have gotten so many letters of thanks from children/grandchildren happy to have their loved ones’ stories on paper. Good luck!
http://www.marshallbooks.net
Heather Goldsmith
Dec 29, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Hi Kate,
Thanks for adding your thoughts & mentioning the journal you’re hubby created. That sounds just fantastic. ;-)
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