Journaling about your mom can have profound effects on your mental, emotional and consequently physical health. The truth is, fostering better mother-daughter relationships isn’t always easy. Setting time aside to address the relationship with a journal might help more than you know.

Journaling is a coping mechanism and inward retreat for many who wish to get thoughts out of their heads. Journaling about motherhood, and childhood, helps you honestly reflect without judgement. Guided prompts may help you understand new perspectives and ideas. Ideas, emotions and thoughts such as nuturing your inner child and setting boundaries may arise while journaling about your mom. Whether the relationship is healthy, toxic or somewhere in between, the most important thing is not to restrict your emotions or writing. You should freely explore how you feel. There is no expectation to dismiss abusive behavior or take accountability. The prompts are created to help deepen understandings of mother-daughter dynamics, and unearth your unmet needs and desires.

Grab a Journal for These Prompts On Building A Better Mother-Daughter Relationship

1. How would you describe your relationship with your mom?

2. Has your relationship always been this way?

3. If you could change anything about your relationship with your mom, what would it be?

4. What would you say is a positive aspect of your relationship?

5. Describe your ideal mother-daughter bond in three words.

6. What is your favorite memory of your mom?

7. Do you have any examples of mother-daughter relationships that inspire you? What do they look like?

8. Is there anything you wish you knew about your mom’s childhood?

9. What was your mother’s relationship like with her mother or mother figure?

10. Is there anything that you haven’t said to your mom that you wish you could say?

11. What assumptions exist in your relationship with your mother?

12. When was the last time you had an intimate moment with your mom? What was it like?

13. When was the last time you traveled/visited somewhere new together? How was the experience?

14. What was the last thing your mom taught you? 

Prompts to Focus on Yourself

15. How do you feel about the idea of ‘becoming’ your mother?

16. Who are the aunties and mother figures in your life that you admire?

17. List what you have observed about yourself while parenting.

18. Has motherhood changed your relationship with your loved ones?

19. Has being an adult woman without children changed your perspective of your mom’s journey?

20. What is something you can let go of today?

21. What is something positive about yourself?

22. Write a manual for how others can make you feel loved in motherhood. Did anything surprise you?

Prompts on Resources and Support

23. What helps you maintain inner peace when things go sour between you and your mom?

24. Who do you confide in when things are tough between you and your mom?

25. Would you approach a conversation about therapy with your mom?

26. What resources do you have that your mom did not?

27. Were you raised to prioritize self-love and your needs?

28. How can you compassionately communicate your needs to your mom?

29. Write a letter to your mom about creating a happy home.

31. What can you do to nurture your inner child right now?

32. What have you learned about yourself from journaling about your mom?

33. What is your hope for your relationship with your mom?

Now that you have a wide selection of prompts, the page is all yours. Its great to follow up journaling with a conversation with your mom! If not, journaling should make it easier to understand your personal observations and responses now.