Should You Write Letters to Your Future Children?

Writing letters to your future children can be a meaningful and impactful gesture. Here are a few reasons why you might consider doing it:

Personal Legacy

Letters can serve as a way to share your thoughts, values, and experiences, creating a personal legacy that your children can cherish. This legacy can be passed down through generations and serve as a connection to their ancestors. As your children grow up, they can read these letters and gain insight into who you were as a person and the world you lived in.

Emotional Connection

Writing letters allows you to express your hopes, dreams, and feelings for your children, fostering a deeper emotional connection. These letters can be like a window into your heart and mind, helping your children understand your perspective and the emotions you hold for them. They can be read at special moments in their lives, such as weddings or graduations, and serve as a reminder of your love and support.

Life Lessons

You can share important life lessons, advice, and insights that may guide them as they grow. These letters can be filled with practical wisdom, encouragement, and guidance that your children can refer to throughout their lives. For example, you might share stories from your own life, advice on how to navigate challenges, or guidance on how to build and maintain meaningful relationships.

Milestones

You can document significant moments in your life or in their early years, giving them a snapshot of their family history. These letters can serve as a chronicle of your family's journey, helping your children understand their roots and the legacy they are a part of. This can be especially valuable for adopted children or those who do not have detailed family histories.

Encouragement

Letters can provide encouragement and support during challenging times, reminding them of your love and belief in them. In times of uncertainty or difficulty, these letters can be a source of comfort and strength, helping your children feel supported and understood. They can serve as a reminder that they are loved and valued, even when things get tough.

Considerations and Advice

When you decide to write these letters, consider what you want to convey and how you want to frame your thoughts. Whether you keep them private or share them at specific milestones, they can be a treasured gift for your children in the future.

I wish I had done this. It occurred to me in my early 20s before I had kids. It was a desire to pass on what I strongly believed about interpersonal relationships and how we treat one another. Truth is, I believe my wife and I have done well without the letters. Two of my kids are in college, and the baby will graduate from high school next year, bound for college as well. We are very proud of them, and I’m not sure that the letters would have made a difference. However, they would surely serve as a wonderful memory. I now wish I had written the letters to myself so I could compare my thoughts at the time to what became reality, which is often divergent.

I would caution future parents to write about personal values and character. Avoid committing your future children to specific career goals such as becoming prime minister, president, or CEO. They will achieve their own dreams and goals based on the values you raise them with. Encourage them to follow their passions and aspirations, rather than predefined paths.

Okay, let me just be passionate for a second. HELL YES.

I personally would love it if my parents did this before they had me because it displays a different side of them—a younger side of them and the way they thought, the way they talked, how they felt back then. I think that this could be a show of your love for your future children and a lesson in life.

I would also love to write letters to my future children because I would like them to know what I am like now. If I tried to tell them myself, I may forget things that happened, or they wouldn't take me seriously. Letters can capture the authenticity of the moment, and my children can see the genuine thoughts and feelings I have for them, making it a treasured and personal gift.

In conclusion, writing letters to your future children can be a meaningful way to build a personal legacy, foster emotional connections, and guide them through life. Take the time to reflect on what you want to say and how you want to say it. Whether shared or kept private, these letters can be a valuable treasure for your children to cherish.