Hello Reader,

It’s mid-January, but 2026 is still fresh! If you’re looking for a simple, screen-free way to help your child:

• build emotional health
• feel calmer, and
• think clearer,

Journaling is a wonderful place to start. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just a few minutes with pen and paper can make a real difference.

In fact, I’m trying this new journaling strategy with my family!

Journaling builds powerful brain connections

Journaling helps the brain “sort the pile.” When kids put feelings into words, it helps connect the emotional part of the brain with the thinking part. That can lower stress, improve problem-solving, and make big feelings feel more manageable over time.

And studies show that the act of writing, instead of typing, makes journaling even more powerful!

Journal writing = life processing

Kids often carry worries they don’t know how to express out loud. A journal can become a safe place to unload the heavy stuff, notice the good, and practice a healthier inner voice. The goal isn’t perfect writing—it’s giving their brain a steady way to process life.
​
So I bet you’re wondering, how does this help my kid reject pornography? It’s all about emotional resilience! We’ve learned that kids turn to porn to help them deal with difficult emotions–especially when they haven’t learned and integrated healthy coping skills–like journaling.

3 journaling prompts

Start by trying one prompt for 5–7 minutes with your child. Eventually, you’ll be able to choose the most appropriate prompt for your child’s current mood or challenge.

#1 ✏️ Expressive Writing: “What’s been hard lately? What do you wish someone understood? What would you say if you knew you wouldn’t get in trouble?”

🧠 Benefit: Helps the brain recover from stress and quiets the emotional center in the amygdala.

​

#2 ✏️ Gratitude Journaling: “Write 3 good things from today—small stuff counts! Why did each one matter?”

🧠 Benefit: Teaches the brain to look for what is stable, instead of what is threatening. Tunes your nervous system towards balance.

​

#3 ✏️ Reflective Reframing for emotional control: “Is there another way to look at this challenge? What’s a kind, true thought I can practice? What’s one small next step?”

🧠 Benefit: Strengthens the “thinking brain” in the prefrontal cortex and builds the ability to pause before reacting. (So important in helping kids turn away from pornography!)

Consistent journaling rewires the brain over time—supporting stronger mental, emotional, and cognitive health for your child.

Try it as a daily or weekly practice. It's a great way to build healthy coping skills so they're less likely to turn to pornography.

Warmly,

Kristen

P.S. Want to dive deeper into emotional resilience?

Grab our Building Emotional Resilience in Kids guide that includes:

• A poster for parents to help instill a growth mindset in your child.
• A poster for kids to help them practice more positive ways of thinking and responding.
• Emotional Resilience Tags template to create a unique set for your child. The tags help your child use their thinking brain to develop healthy coping behaviors. Learn more about this fun and powerful tool here.
• A list of 20 family story questions. Research shows that greater family knowledge equals greater resilience in tough times!

Thousands of reviews on Amazon include the word “comfortable” to describe how parents feel reading Good Pictures Bad Pictures to their kids. Check out a copy today from Amazon, your local library or from other fine bookstores.