Parenting, Writing and Why You Should!

Parenting is hard enough and all parents deserve to have a creative outlet.  Writing is one of mine and I find it very beneficial. 

Ok, so I sometimes stay up, wrapped in the cloud of creativity writing brings, when I should be in bed catching up on sleep. 

Writing is one of the cheapest, easiest and most rewarding hobbies to have.  You can write about anything and everything and use many different forms.  You can be as creative and productive as you like.  The only person who has to be satisfied with your writing is you.

Writing is something I have done from a very young age; I actually have tonnes of poetry I wrote when I was a teen and have now joined a writing site where my work can be seen by the online world.  I find it very rewarding and a great way to grow as a person, and to let my creative brain loose!

Keep reading, and you will find some benefits, styles and tools for writing.  Go on, you know you want to start on your own writing crusade.  Maybe there are some ideas below for you to help you get started.

Why You Should Write

1. To keep a record of your life:  This can be done using a personal journal or a computer blog.  It is a way to keep track of the good, bad, and in between things of your life.  Reading back through these can help you to see how far you have become as a person and to see how you have coped with situations in the past.
2. Stress relief:  Being able to just get it all out in the open when you are having a rough time.  It is like sharing it and often seeing the words on paper can help you to better deal with it. 
3. To communicate and share:  You can share your thoughts, ideas, feelings and news with others, no matter where in the world they are. 
4. ‘Me Time’: This is something that a lot of parents go without and find that they are not coping because of not taking time out.  Writing when the kids are busy or in bed can help you to keep calm and in control, even if it is just for a short while.
5. Creativity:  Ah, yes.  Your writing can be as creative as you like.  You are able to transport yourself and readers to another world, even just a short time.  By using the brain for creative purposes, you are able to prevent and reduce the affects of depression and stress.
6. Keeping valuable skills sharp:  Lets face it, us parents give up much for our families.  Well, our writing skills often get rusty if they are neglected.  If you are thinking of going back to work or study, then it is important to keep your writing skills sharp.

What Forms Of Writing Should You Use?

Any form of writing will offer you a creative outlet.  Try some of these:

1. List:  A shopping, to do list or a wish list.
2. Letters and Emails:  Helps you to keep your family and friends up to date with what is going on in your world, no matter where they are.
3. Blog/Journal/Diary:  To keep a record of what you are up to, your feelings and your dreams.  Also to de-stress and calm down.
4. Poems, short stories, novel:  Ah, mostly purely creative, but can be based on what is going on in your life too.  You could write a poem about the colour of your baby’s nappy contents!
5. Memos:  To remind others what they have to do!  These can be short and left anywhere you think they will be seen.  They can be as creative as you like.

The Benefits of Writing

There are many reasons that you should write.  I have listed the ones I could think of below.

1. Stress Relief:  I find that I am calmer and less stressed when I write.  As a parent, this is certainly a good thing!
2. To clarify ideas/thoughts and Problem solving:  If you are trying to sort something out and can’t find the answer, then why not write it down.  Seeing it on paper might help you to put it into perspective and spark you into action to understand it.
3. An escape and for creativity:  Every one is creative in some way.  Writing is one of the easiest ways to be creative, and the only person it has to make sense to is YOU.  Writing can take you to a different world, the one trapped in your brain somewhere between housewife and mother to the ankle biter.
4. Keeping skills sharp:  Yeah, baby brain does seem to weaken those things we take for granted, like writing.  If you can write then do it, as when you are ready to go back to work or study, it will be easier for you to keep track of what is going on.
5. Boosting self-esteem:  Writing can help to build your self-esteem.  If you write for a specific purpose, and keep working on it til you are happy, then you will get a feeling of accomplishment that will boost your ego and spirits no end.  Careful though, writing is addictive!
6. Can help children with school:  Ok, so you might not see it straight away, but if your kids see you writing, then they might be encouraged to write more too.  Their assignments might be of better quality and easier for them to do.  They might also find it as competition and try to out do you.  Let them, and take pride in the fact they want to be like you!

When And Where To Write?

Any time you have.  Write when you are stressed or upset.  Write when you are so full of joy you could burst!  Don’t hold it all in!  Share it, even if it is only with a piece of paper or your computer.  Take the time to write wherever you are.  If you are watching the kids at the beach, grab your tools and write about what they are doing. Etc.

Tools For Writing

You don’t need anything fancy, but if you like to have pens etc that make you feel good, then use them.  You can write with practically anything, and yes, a computer is a valid writing tool!

So, what have you got to lose?  Grab a pen and get started.  If you would like to view some of my work, then here is a link to my helium.com profile page.  One of the articles has been published on here too, so pleased don't think I have plagiarised the work!  It was mine to begin with!  There is also a more indepth article I have written about writing too, if you would like to get more info on my obsession.

New Zealtralian

Remember, writing is an art form and when you receive feedback on your writing, use it to improve your skill and blow other peoples minds away.

Happy Writing!