One day a few years ago, my youngest daughter was complaining that she never received any mail. I tried to explain that she didn’t want the bills and junk mail mommy had to sift through every day but that logic was lost on a 3-year old. As usual, my older daughter came to the rescue with a handmade mailbox that she taped to her little sister’s door, which she promptly filled with “mail.” Of course, receiving mail was no longer sufficient. My daughter also wanted to be able to send mail. Before the end of the week, each of us had a mailbox taped to our bedroom doors and we began sending mail to one another. My youngest son created a comic book series and sent us subscription forms in our mailboxes and now we get regular installments of “Crazy Comics.”
Our family mailboxes are not only a fun and easy way to brighten each other’s day, it’s also a great communication tool for our family. When one of the kids is upset about something but isn’t comfortable talking about what’s bothering them, they will leave a note in a mailbox expressing their feelings. This seems so much healthier than my coping mechanism when I was a kid (silently fuming about it, ignoring everyone in the family, and then stomping around slamming doors much to everyone’s confusion and irritation).
We’ve had so much fun with this idea, I thought I would share it with others. The mailboxes don’t have to be elaborate. My first bedroom door mailbox was a manila envelope taped to my door. Now I use a gift bag. The kids typically create their own from construction paper or paper grocery bags and craft supplies.
As far as WHAT to mail each other, here are some things we have done:
- Notes or letters to one another
- Coupons for free hugs, together time, etc.
- Pictures (sometimes we write on the back to make it seem like a postcard)
- Small gifts (e.g. stickers, temporary tattoos, candy)
- Family newsletter (our kids collaborated on one for a short while)
- Weekly calendar
- Reminder notes
- Handwritten jokes or printed from the computer
- Request forms (I sometimes give these to the kids before I go to the grocery store to get their shopping requests or the night before their birthday for breakfast the next day)
Whether you use these as a fun way to leave little love notes for your child or as a family communication tool, family mailboxes are a simple and inexpensive parenting tool.
Corinne Schmitt
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What a beautiful idea. As a parent educator, this is one of the tips I’d share as a way to make communication fun and, as you said, a little easier for those uncomfortable messages.
This is a cute idea, thank you for sharing such an awesome idea.
This is such a fun idea! It was always so exciting to get anything (even junk mail) as a child. My girls will get a kick out of sending each other “mail”. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hi Corinne – What a wonderful idea for the entire family. It’s so easy and simple and I have never seen this before. Great for kids and teens too, with their crazy emotions to be able to write something down to communicate and for everyone to give family members a little extra love on the days they are feeling blue. Every family should incorporate this idea! Hugs, Holly
What a great idea. Not only will it work for helping your child with expression, they will also improve on reading and writing skills. I like that idea. I should try it with my little ones.
Those are very meaningful! Nothing can beat the arts that are heartily made by our kids.
Neat idea and what a SWEET older daughter! Love ideas like this for families.
What a wonderful idea and what a smart and understanding daughter you have to have thought of it in the first place. This certainly can alleviate some problems that may arise and can be a fun way to interact with the entire family.
What an adorable idea! My three year old would love this. I was recently at Michael’s and they have little cardboard mailboxes. I bet that would really hit the spot with the little ones, letting him decorate his own mailbox lol. I might have to go pick one up and give this a shot. (#SITSSharefest Visit!)
What a cute idea! I’d love to implement this when I have kiddos 😀
Oh my this is a wonderful idea! I never thought to do something like this. I love how this helps with communication as sometimes when kids get older they less communicate their feelings or wants very well. I know my 14 yr old is less communicative than my 8yr. What a great idea. I think my kids would love to do something like this.
This sounds fun! My 4-year-old complains that she never gets any mail either. This is a great family activity!
This is such a fantastic idea and i can imagine all the creativity it has spurred in your home. I love the idea of creating our own boxes and using it to deliver all sorts of ingenious things… 😉
Elizabeth
What a neat idea!!! My boys both love to receive mail and this would be a great way to encourage sharing and creativity. Thanks for the inspiration!
i love this idea! i may even have us make these tonight!
This is SUCH a beautiful idea! I pinned it to my “children” and my “parenting” boards on Pinterest!
This is just so darn cute!! I LOVE it!
This is such a sweet idea! Thanks for sharing via Mommy Monday! Pinning this
OXOXO
What a cute idea! I remember wishing I got mail as a kid too. Oh the things we wanted as a child!
Thank you for linking up at Rock-A-Bye Parents Sunday Parenting Pointers linky party! I’ll be pinning this to the parties Pinterest board. I hope you come share a post again tomorrow!