An October 2018 study conducted by Arizona State University concluded that teens and pre-teens who feel connected to their parents experience lower rates of depression and are less likely to engage in high-risk activity.

This study reveals that it is more important than ever for parents to build an honest and close relationship with their children. Yet, the busyness of daily life often leaves little room for the kind of talk that draws parent and child together.

From Me to You by Mark and Susan Merrill, are unique conversation journals created to inspire truthful and engaging dialogue while providing straightforward ways to prompt conversations that might not otherwise occur. These journals invite parents and children to answer questions like:

• What do you think makes you unique or special?
• What is one thing you would like to learn? Why?
• When was the last time someone hurt your feelings? How did you respond?
• If you could solve one problem in the world, what problem would you solve?
• How are we alike? How are we different?

Co-author Mark Merrill founded the parenting organization Family First alongside his wife and co-author Susan. At Family First, both Mark and Susan encourage parents to raise their kids not by being controlling or removing obstacles from children’s paths, but by strengthening the trust and communication between parent and child. These journals are designed to further foster that connection, creating opportunities for parents to open dialogue with their children.

As parents and children pass this journal back and forth, they’ll create meaningful moments together as they experience connecting conversations, a renewed relationship and joy-filled journaling.

About the Authors

Mark Merrill is the founder and president of Family First and its programs: All Pro Dad, iMom, and The Family Minute with Mark Merrill. His MarkMerrill.com blog, the Family Minute Radio Program, and the Family First Podcast deliver marriage and parenting advice to thousands of people every day.

He’s the author of All Pro Dad—Seven Essentials to Be a Hero to Your Kids, Lists to Love By for Busy Wives and Lists to Love By for Busy Husbands, both co-authored with his wife, Susan. He speaks on family issues all across the country, and has appeared on Fox & Friends, Today, CBS, and ABC television stations.

Mark and Susan have five children, two sons-in-law, and two dogs. In the 27 years since he and Susan started Family First, Mark has dedicated himself to doing his best to love his family well and encouraging others to love their families well, too.

Susan Merrill is Family First’s Director of Digital Marketing. She co-founded Family First and its programs: All Pro Dad and iMom with her husband, Mark Merrill 27 years ago and is the co-host of the Family First Podcast.

She is the author of The Passionate Mom, and the coauthor, with Mark, of two marriage books, Lists to Love By for Busy Wives and Lists to Love By for Busy Husbands.

Susan spends her days creating content that will help families love well. She and Mark have five children, two sons-in-law, and two dogs.