This month, we piloted a special evening chat time. Participants could choose between either Wednesday, March 19th, at 8:30 p.m. CT OR Friday, March 21st, during our regular time of 11:30 a.m. CT. Writer, teacher, and author Kate Hopper shared how you can use your words in a powerful way during your preemie’s life. Kate joined us for both chats and shared how she used her personal writing experience as a healing tool, as well as some of the tips she covers in her book, Use Your Words. Whether you’re just starting your NICU journey, newly home, or beyond the stresses, writing can be a powerful way to cope with what life throws at us, and Kate showed attendees how to use our words for journaling, book-writing, keeping family updated, and more.
As an added bonus, chat attendees were told they could enter for a chance to win a copy of Use Your Words!
Here are some quick take-aways from the chats – be sure to click any of the active links in the images below to be taken to the Facebook thread where the chat occurred and to read the full threads.
- Journaling in the NICU and in general can be a healthy tool to not only keep records of your experiences, but also to help you cope.
- A great place to start is by using sensory details. Let your mind wander and don’t worry about getting it ‘right’.
- There are definitely guidelines to keep in mind when using other people’s names and whether or not you’ll share your writing with your preemie or not. Every one will have a different solution.
- It is never too late to start writing, and there are not ‘too many’ preemie/NICU related blogs or books on the subject. Everyone has a unique perspective.
Wednesday evening chat (PART ONE)
Friday lunchtime chat (PART TWO)