Writing With My Kids: The Joy, The Chaos, The Magic

Writing with your children isn’t like sitting down with a team of professional writers. It’s louder. Messier. A little unpredictable. But it’s also one of the most rewarding things we’ve ever done.

At Genius Reading, our books aren’t just written for kids — many are written by kids. My children are full of wild, brilliant, and totally unexpected ideas. Writing with them brings a level of creativity I couldn’t reach on my own. The process might take longer, but it’s worth every minute.

Here’s how it usually starts. One of them has an idea for a character. Maybe it’s a raccoon who loves crab cakes or a video game creator who wants to be rich. We sit down together and start building that world. I ask questions like, “What’s the problem they’re trying to solve?” or “What’s something funny that could happen to them?”

Sometimes, they have full scenes in their heads. Other times, we hit a wall and get stuck. That’s when we take a break — we might draw the character, go outside, or just talk about something else. The story always finds its way back.

Writing with kids also means learning to listen. I’ve had to let go of my adult sense of "how stories should work" and let their creativity lead. And honestly? Some of the best moments in our books came straight from their minds.

Sure, there are challenges. Sometimes we disagree on a plot point. Other times they lose interest halfway through and want to start something new. But in those moments, I remind myself — this isn’t just about finishing a book. It’s about bonding. Creating something together.

And when we finally hold the finished book in our hands — their names on the cover — the joy on their faces makes all the chaos worth it.

So if you’re a parent thinking about writing with your kids, here’s my advice: Start small. Don’t worry about structure. Just have fun. Let the story grow as it wants to. You might be surprised at what you create.