A love letter to my child - why a love letter to my own child and how do I write it?

If a person is particularly important to us, then it happens that we write him a love letter. At least the adults do with each other. Why not a love letter to your own child? Big enough is the love of parents in any case. Fatherfreuden.de would like to win parents to write a love letter to their own child - as a sign of their own love, as a lasting memory and as an expression of their own feelings.

Why should I write a love letter to my child?

For the same reasons as an adult. As a sign of love and extraordinary appreciation as well as an expression of one's own feelings, which one expresses openly. On top of that, a love letter is something lasting. It can still be read after many years. A time-lasting expression of one's own love.

Is such a love letter not dependent on the age of your own child?

Absolute. You can only write about what you feel or have felt so far. Of course, you can incorporate into a love letter hopes that you have for the future of your child. Above all, you should write about what you have experienced and felt. This makes every love letter a snapshot of your feelings at a specific time - and clearly refers to the current age of your child.

Nevertheless, you should not write a letter to a baby in baby-language. Use your own words to express your personal feelings. Then your child will appreciate this letter later, when it is bigger, as a very special document of your love.

What do you do with the finished love letter?

This depends mainly on how old your child is. You will not hand over the letter to a baby. Even a toddler will not know what to do with it. However, we are sure that he would be a very special gift for his 18th birthday.

In any case, the letter should be kept in a nice envelope or even a box, possibly backed by other memorabilia, such as photos or toys from childhood (a sort of time capsule). The love letter should only be read out to others if the addressee and the author so wish. After all, a love letter is a very personal thing. Should your child not be able to do much with the letter in the beginning - it can happen to adolescents - then do not be too disappointed and maybe take the letter back for safekeeping. The time when your child will appreciate this letter will come. Certainly. At the latest when it even has children.

How do I write a love letter to my child?

Personal and emotional. From the "I-Version" to the "You" -child. It's best to start with love .... Then many things come alone. For content we give detailed tips below.

However, if you ask if you should write the letter by hand or on the computer, then we can give you just a few points to think about:

Is your handwriting legible?
Can you write structured in one piece or do your thoughts fly from all corners over and over again?

My tip: first take a few notes and then write the letter - either directly by hand or first on the computer and then in fair copy by hand. A handwritten letter is much nicer and more personal. If your handwriting is hard to read for others, you should consider writing the computer-written letter of someone else (a professional?) In writing on special paper and signing it. It should also be a very special document of your love ...

What am I writing about in a love letter to my child?

The salutation:
I suggest: "Love XXX" or "Dear XXX"

The beginning - and it does not have to be hard:

A few formulations to stimulate:

"I'm sitting here in the living room and write you this letter. Next door you sleep. Hard to believe that you are already XX years old. "
"I have decided to write you this very personal letter. A letter in which I would like to tell you about our time together and my feelings towards you. A kind of love letter, because I really love you, dear XXX. "
"I remember well how you came into our lives"

And now comes your very personal story. Here is a list of questions that you can use as a small guide:

What was the situation when your child entered your life?

• How old were you and your partner?
• How and where did you live? How was your job situation?
• Did you already have a child? If so, how old was it?
• Was your child a desired child, a planned pregnancy or just happened? Have you "worked" for a long time on a child?
• How did you react when you learned that you were going to have a baby?
• How did the pregnancy go?

• How was the birth? What has changed for you after that?
• How did the birth go? Where exactly and when was your child born?
• How were your feelings? What did you think when you held your child in your arms?
• How long did you have to stay in the hospital?
• How has your life changed after the birth of your child?

How did your child develop?

• What characteristics did your child have as a baby? Did it sleep well? Did it spit a lot?

• Who did it look like?

• Have you been worried about anything? Was it sick?

• How did your baby develop from baby to toddler? Was it fast in its development?

• What did your child like to do as a baby?

• How did you feel about your child's development? Did you enjoy your progress or were you a little sad that your child was growing up so fast?

• How did your child behave towards his siblings? How did they behave towards him?
  What were his favorite games?

• To whom did your child have a special relationship? Mummy? Father? To one of the grandparents?

What impressed you most about your child?

• In which situations did your child show strength and endurance?
• Is there an episode in which your child has impressed you?
• Which behavior was particularly pronounced?
• How has the character of your child turned out?
• What did your child do well or very early compared to other children?

How is the stand now?

• How old is your child when you wrote this letter?
• What is it doing? Kindergarten - school? Do you want to go there?
• What are the characteristics of your child?
• What does it like to do?
• Apart from parents and siblings, who are the important people in his life?
• What makes your child so special?
• What do you love your child for?
• What is your relationship with each other? How did she develop?
• What do you especially like to do together with your child?
• Does your child's behavior sometimes remind you of yourself? When? What do you feel about it?

What do you wish your child for the future?

The conclusion - a few suggestions

I am looking forward to the next years with you and look forward to accompanying you in your development.
I am so glad that you exist.
I'm looking forward to the great time with you.
In love, your dad / your mom

Final comments

• It's YOUR letter. YOU decide what and how much you write.
• Go every now and then in detail and describe individual situations that you have particularly impressed or found you significant.
• Write as personally as possible. For example, what letter would you like to have as a reminder from your father or mother when they are no longer alive? A loving, personal letter about the time together, right? Write a letter to your child.

Did I forget something? Can you think of any more points?
I´m looking forward to your experiences and additions.

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