Welcome back to the journaling corner of this blog! I am a huge fan of writing in general, specifically journaling, especially for children, preteens and teens with big feelings.
Journaling has truly never failed me or my clients. While it may take some getting used to, dedicating just a few minutes a day to journaling can make a huge difference in how kids approach tough situations, cope with anxiety, and even how they feel about themselves. I often encourage my clients to put pen to paper, but journaling doesn’t have to look one way. The notes app on the phone, a quick voice memo, or even sketching can count.
The key is finding a format that feels natural and accessible, truly anything that will inspire us to journal. If your child is afraid to make mistakes, even small situations can start to feel really high stakes. Getting an answer wrong can become, “I’m not smart.” Making a mistake at practice can become, “I’m bad at this.” Sometimes, kids can get so worried about doing something wrong that they avoid trying altogether.
Journaling can help kids slow down and explore what they’re afraid will happen if they make a mistake, what they’re telling themselves about it and whether there might be another way to look at the situation. It gives them a place to get their feelings out before they become stuck in the story anxiety is telling them.
Journaling has no rules, which is exactly why it often works for sensitive, big feeler kids. For kids who already put pressure on themselves to do things “right,” it can also be one space where there really is no right answer. Many kids don’t open up in direct conversations, but they will write, draw, or doodle thoughts they can’t always say out loud. It gives feelings somewhere to go instead of staying stuck in their mind or body.
I’ve put together journal prompts specifically for kids who are afraid to make mistakes or put a lot of pressure on themselves to get things right. Feel free to use these as-is, adapt them, or even turn them into drawing activities.
Journaling Prompts for Kids Who Are Afraid to Make Mistakes:
What would happen if you made a mistake?
How can making a mistake actually help you?
Who helps you when you’re upset over a mistake you made?
What do you worry might happen if you make a mistake?
Think about a mistake you made recently. What actually happened afterward?
Write about a time you made a mistake and everything still turned out okay.
Can you make a mistake and still be smart, talented or good at something? Why or why not?
When has someone you look up to made a mistake and what did they do to recover? (think about your favorite singer, actor, athlete, influencer, etc.)
What is something you might try if you knew you didn’t have to be perfect at it?
What does making a mistake make you think about yourself? Is that thought always true?
A Note for Parents:
If your child is afraid to make mistakes, gets frustrated when something doesn’t come easily or puts a lot of pressure on themselves to get things “right” — you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone. Journaling can be a small but powerful way for kids to explore their feelings and build confidence in themselves outside of getting everything right. There’s no perfect way to do it, so just giving them space to try is what matters most.
Journaling isn’t about convincing your child that they’re wrong or telling them that mistakes don’t matter. It gives them a safe place to explore what happened, what they felt, what they were afraid the mistake meant and what else might be true. They can write a few sentences, draw a picture or even use the prompts as conversation starters with you.
But if you’re looking for more support, I am here to help.
I work with anxious kids and teens to help them understand their emotions, manage the pressure they put on themselves and feel more confident even when things don’t go perfectly.
If this post felt familiar, therapy can be a supportive next step — even if you’re unsure whether it’s “serious enough.”
You can reach out to me here.
After you contact me, I’ll email you back with next steps and we’ll figure out together if it feels like the right fit.
You can also learn more about therapy here:
• Therapy for kids
