A Mother and Daughter Look at a New Mother-Daughter Journal

Side by Side: A Catholic Mother-Daughter Journal by Lori Ubowski and Ava Ubowski has created a wonderful opportunity for my oldest daughter and I to connect regularly. Amid the busyness of trying to tend to the needs of four kids at various ages and stages, it's easy to overlook the individual. This journal has forced me -- in a good way -- to focus on my daughter alone for a little time each day. Visually, this journal is very appealing! My daughter Felicity, who is almost eleven, loves the hand drawings, splashes of color, and the fun presentation. The journal includes helpful prompts using saint stories and scripture. Some answers roll right off the tip of the pen, and others require us to think and reflect. The space for doodling and drawing is simply fun! When it's complete, my daughter and I can treasure this shared journal for many years to come! And more importantly, we can treasure the time we spent working on it together, getting to know one another and our faith better with every page. I foresee purchasing another copy of Side by Side in the future. My seven-year-old daughter is already asking if we can do a journal together as well! Courtesy of Ave Maria Press. All rights reserved.[/caption] My daughter Felicity had the opportunity to interview Ava Ubowski about her experience co-authoring the journal:

My mom and I started using a journal to strengthen our communication and relationship. We liked the idea of it, and the things it prompted us to write about, but we noticed that there was no mention of faith. That’s how we got the idea to write our own, but based on our Catholic faith and our relationships with Jesus.

We brainstormed different ways to do something creative together. Drawing, coloring sheets, crossword puzzles, and fun scenarios that mothers and daughters could do or plan with each other were some of the ideas we came up with together.

We gave up a little sleep now and then for late-night writing and scheduled time on the weekends in between family activities. On Saturdays and Sundays we would escape the noise of our house and work on our writing at different coffee shops and restaurants.

We each wrote a few paragraphs for our reflections at the beginning of each section, and my mom wrote out the stories of the saints and bible characters. We also wrote our own prompts for the moms or daughters, and we came up with the creative sections together.

We definitely developed a stronger relationship while writing the book and we had lots of fun and quality time coming up with the questions and prompts. I would say that we had a great experience writing it together.

It’s very exciting to have published a book at the age of twelve, and I’m still very surprised and grateful that we had the opportunity to write it. I am very hopeful that our book helps many mothers and daughters develop a better relationship with each other and with Jesus.

Would you like to purchase your own Side by Side Journal? Our friends at Ave Maria Press have a Black Friday sale, today through Sunday, November 25. Use coupon code BLACK18 to receive 35% off your entire purchase: that includes this journal, CatholicMom.com books, and any other books at AveMariaPress.com!)