Advice for a New Parent
Write an open letter to a new parent, offering insights and advice from your own experiences. Include both the joys and challenges of parenthood, and try to give a balanced view that prepares them for this new phase of life.
Suggested length: An essay or article: 800 to 2,500 words
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Use one example from your own life.
- Open with a specific story, then widen out to the big idea.
- Write for a curious friend, not an expert.
Writing essays
A mind at work, one subject at a time.
An essay collection gathers short nonfiction pieces: personal, critical, funny or all three. What ties them together is the writer's voice and way of seeing.
What readers expect
- A distinctive voice
- Personal stakes
- Surprising connections
- Pieces that stand alone
A tip before you start
Follow a question, not a thesis. The pleasure of an essay is watching someone think.
More Parenting and Family prompts
- A Guide to Screen TimeCreate a detailed guide on a specific aspect of parenting, such as handling tantrums, fostering creativity, or managing screen time, including both…
- Parenting Across GenerationsChronicle the changes in family dynamics from your childhood to the present moment, analyzing generational differences and similarities in parenting…
- The Family Baking TraditionWrite about a baking tradition in your family. How has it evolved through generations? Reflect on what's changed, what's stayed the same, and what…
- The Moment I Became a ParentDive deep into the moment you first realized what it truly means to be a parent. Describe the situation, your feelings, challenges, and revelations.…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
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