Loved As You Are

Have you ever felt like your voice wasn’t heard or you weren’t seen?

Same.

This is the inspiration for this journal - my labor of love and healing.

My name is Eileen Grimes and I'm the author of "The Us Journal.” I was born into a big family and though loved, felt the frustration of being unseen as the middle child in a family of six children. I constantly questioned how I fit in and couldn't seem to find my voice.

When my son was born, the ground beneath me shook, rattling me awake. I like to say my son woke me up and my daughter lit the fire under me. Over the years, I’ve worked hard to listen wholeheartedly, build my inner self, and tune my introspective skill set to strengthen my identity, survive, and thrive. With this newfound learning and wholeness of my own, I wanted to support my children in feeling whole and enough from the start. This was where the foundation of the journal was forged. Whether drawing together, holding open-ended conversations, or simply making jokes, I wanted to make intentional time for each of them to feel seen and loved, just as they are. I began piecing together the journal then set it down to rest.

Then BAM, a pandemic crashes into our world. My children were out of school and the entire world took a collective breath. I took this as a moment to pause and evaluate my life and career. Over the course of 2020, I took time to reflect on the legacy I wanted to leave for my children and from that came an intentional focus on adding to and spreading kindness and connection. While maintaining a full time job as the main financial support, I carved out intentional time to create my heart's work. I created an intention-full and collaborative journal for all parents, regardless of gender, to forge wholehearted connections with your 5-9 year old's. I wish I had a journal like this when I was a kid. It’s a great way for parents to connect with their kids - and for kids to feel heard, seen, and loved

The Us Journal is a culmination of so many values—strong parent-child relationships, promotion of small authors, and independent publishing to name a few. If you're looking to forge a lasting connection with your child and build their self-esteem, look no further. The Us Journal guides parents and kids in building deep and loving bonds.

Creative prompts to write and draw invite kids to discover more about themselves—their likes, their fears, their hopes and dreams—while parents get to join in the fun with written responses of their own! Whimsical art and inviting, full-color designs adorn the pages, and with a sturdy hardcover binding, this is one journal your kids can treasure forever. Share your jokes, trade your secrets, and create some one-on-one moments of screen-free joy with your kids—it’s time to get the conversation started!

This is not a one and done product either. This first journal is targeted to start conversations with younger kids and plans for a series with teens and beyond are underway. With the rate of youth mental health disorders increasing, I wholeheartedly believe that increasing the ability to connect wholly with our youth is essential.

Why not help make a world where we connect intentionally with a tool prepared and ready? I am grateful for all your support and belief that we can make the world a little more kind, connected, and loved!!