Is it okay for a teenager to not show parents her journal?

Question

Should my parents be hurt that I don't let them read my journal? They think it means I don't trust them and I think it is irritating my Dad.

To clarify, they aren't sneaking around trying to read it or anything... they just feel a little put out that I won't let them read it and they don't understand why it's so private.

Answer 1

A journal is about your personal thoughts. If you share it, you will not write what you feel, you will write what you want others to read.

Answer 2

YES!
I have been journaling for like 4 or 5 years now and my parents are completely OK with it. My Dad makes jokes about "checking my spelling", but he doesn't feel irritated by the fact that I don't show it to him-same for my mom. I mean, journaling is the only way where I can say what I want and stuff.
I think you need to talk to your parents and explain that your journal is very personal to you and you would like to keep it private. Explain that you do not talk bad about them or anything, so they have no reason to worry about what's in there. Tell them that you trust them but you would like to have something that's just between you and nobody else.

If that doesn't work, do what I did: At my first year of journaling, I didn't want anybody to know. (I wanted to keep it as confidential as possible for some reason.) So, I'd sit in on the sink with in the bathroom with the door locked and act as if I was using the bathroom or washing up. Sometimes I'd even run the water from the faucet.
Other times, I'd wait for when nobody was around and I'd act as if I was on the
phone or sleeping and I'd write.
You have the right to keep a journal and a right to keep it personal.
You have the freedom of speech and should be allowed to express it in a journal that is between you and only you.

All the best!!!

Answer 3

Hi,

I think your journal should be something that only your eyes should ever see! The whole point of keeping a journal is to get out feelings that you couldn't otherwise. If you are aware that your parents are going to be reading the journal, then you won't be able to write how you normally would if you knew that only your eyes would read it. Just because you don't show it to your parents doesn't mean that they shouldn't trust you... Just tell them that you want to be able to go somewhere to confide all of your secrets, as this is what a journal is for. You parents have to realize that you need some space too!

Good luck. :)

Answer 4

They have the "right" to read your journal if they think they need to, but if a teen is not having problems it is better to let them have privacy.
It sounds like you get along pretty well with your folks. Tell them it's just stuff you don't want anybody to read, it's not a matter of not trusting them at all. Tell them that when you were younger you didn't feel this way but as you're getting older you feel embarrassed to have people read your stuff, and you feel like you want more privacy. Hope this helps?

Answer 5

There's nothing wrong with you not wanting to show your journal to your parents. A journal is all about your inner most thoughts, feelings, etc. I am sure they want to see it because they are concerned and want to ensure you are happy. I think you need to say to them that if you were ever in trouble, or if you felt as though you had a serious problem, that you feel comfortable enough to talk to them. I think that would help alleviate their feelings of being 'put out'.
Continue keeping your journal....it's a great way of expressing yourself. Good luck!

Answer 6

yes its o.k. i mean that is where they keep their secerts and their feelings and ideas and all that stuff that teenagers go through, i mean when there ready to show you they will i just hope that there is a good realtionship between the teenager and the parent, where the kid knows that they can talk about anything, cuz there could be some things going on and the only person ho knows about it is the journal so maybe you should let them know we can talk and you will listen and be there for them and then they will want to open up, remeber when you were a teenager all that stuff you had to deal with could you talk to your parents about it?? good luck

Answer 7

Of course its ok for you not to let them read your journal... its supposed to be a way for you to express yourself without anyone judging you or correcting you. sometimes putting things on paper helps to sort out conflicts... or even a way to keep a special day or moment on record....as for your parents just explain to them that the only things that are in your journal is your feelings about a particular day. and that if there is anything important that you would like to talk about you would be able to talk them about it. which is always nice for us as parents to hear.

Answer 8

It is not OK to just follow your heart. You need to obey your parents and right now you are being disobedient. You need to give your journal to your dad like he asked. If they didn't love you they wouldn't bother with it's contents. When they read it then they can know how to help you in your life. You need to trust your parents and be open with them. People here should not be any judge of whether your parents should be hurt or not. Right and wrong is not a democracy. Your parents are your parents and you should obey them and honor them. You will be blessed to do this.

Answer 9

It is ok. Your parents don't mind too much but they only want to know more about you and your thought and feelings so that they can get along with you better and understand you better. If you don't want to show them your journal, they shouldn't be hurt. That is your privacy.

Answer 10

Depends whats in it. I always kept secrets from my parents.
If there is something embarracing in there and you dont want to show them, either explain in a casual way first, then when they see it they wont laugh and stuff.
If you want to keep a secret from them, be creative. I pulled papers out of my journal, and made a seperate "journal of secrets" where I kept all the stuff I never wanted my parents to know. Now Im thankful, because my parents would have murdered me.