I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard another mom sigh and say, “My middle schooler hates writing!” Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. I know I have. With my oldest, and now with my youngest. The truth is, most kids don’t actually hate writing. What they dislike is sitting in front of a blank page without knowing what to say, or being asked to write in ways that don’t feel meaningful to them. They don’t hate the act of putting words together—they just don’t feel inspired or don’t know where to start.
As a homeschooling mom, I’ve had those moments when my kids groan at a writing assignment. I remember my son slumping over the table, pencil dangling in his hand, declaring, “I have nothing to write about.” At first, I worried that maybe he just wasn’t a “writer.” But what I learned was that he didn’t actually hate writing—he needed to find joy in it, and he needed a few tools to unlock the creativity that was hiding inside. When I gave him 100 writing prompts to choose from and told him he could pick one and respond however he wanted, he did just fine.
If your middle schooler seems allergic to writing, you’re not alone. Let’s explore some practical ways to help them not only survive writing assignments but actually begin to enjoy writing.
Encourage Reading to Build Writing Skills
The best writers are almost always readers first. When your child is exposed to good stories, interesting facts, and compelling ideas, it naturally shapes how they think and how they express themselves.
In our house, we’ve had times when a well-written book sparked more writing than any assignment I could ever give. After reading Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief, one of my daughters decided to write her own “fan lit” completely unprompted by me. It wasn’t an assignment, she wrote because reading inspired her imagination.
Encourage your child to read a variety of genres: fiction, biographies, poetry, even comic books. The broader their exposure, the more fuel they’ll have for their own writing.
“Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.” Proverbs 10:14 (NLT)
Knowledge fuels creativity, and reading is one of the richest wells of knowledge. Using a reading log to help them track their reading can help you know which direction to go with next books to suggest.
Incorporate Writing into Daily Tasks
Writing doesn’t always have to mean essays and reports. Sometimes the best way to spark a love for writing is to make it part of everyday life.
Ask your child to write the grocery list, a note to Grandma, or the instructions for a game they’ve invented. My oldest daughter once wrote an entire “debate” for why she should be allowed to get a lizard, complete with pros and cons of pet ownership and the research of proper husbandry. She didn’t even realize she was practicing writing skills—she was just trying to get a pet.
You can also encourage journaling, recipe cards, or even writing out the family’s weekly menu. When writing becomes useful, it stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a tool.
Explore Why Your Child Feels This Way Toward Writing
Sometimes kids resist writing because of deeper struggles. Maybe spelling feels impossible, handwriting is messy, or they’ve had a peer or adult criticize their writing harshly.
One of my daughters once told me, “I don’t like writing because I’m not good at it.” That broke my heart. She had confused “not knowing how yet” with “not capable at all.” I had to remind her that writing is a skill you grow into, just like learning to ride a bike or play an instrument.
Take the time to talk with your child. Ask questions:
- What part of writing feels the hardest?
- What kind of writing do you actually enjoy (if any)?
- How do you feel when you’re asked to write?
Understanding the why behind their dislike can help you better support them in moving forward.
Show Them the Joy of Writing
Writing can be a beautiful outlet for thoughts, emotions, and even prayers.
Think about David, the shepherd boy who grew up to be king. His psalms are essentially journal entries filled with praise, lament, and raw emotion.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NKJV).
That’s writing born from the heart.
Share with your child that writing can be freeing. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes the act of putting feelings into words helps untangle what’s going on inside. Invite them to try writing letters to God, stories about their day, or even silly poems that make them laugh. Journaling is writing, so the simple act of giving them a journal and encouraging them to write in it at bedtime and telling them that their journal is between them and God is encouraging them to write.
Make Writing Fun for Your Child
If your middle schooler thinks writing is boring, it might be time to switch things up. Writing doesn’t have to look like a five-paragraph essay. Let them try:
- Short stories with wild characters
- Jokes or riddles they can share with friends
- Comics or graphic stories with drawings
- Poetry (yes, even silly rhymes)
- Song lyrics (middle schoolers are often full of emotions that spill beautifully into music)
Let them explore different themes and genres, too. When kids see writing as play, it no longer feels like punishment.
Create a Rewards System
Motivation looks different for each child. Some kids love stickers, others want extra screen time, and some thrive on praise.
We once set up a simple system: every finished writing project earned a small reward, whether that was choosing the family movie, staying up 15 minutes later, or a special treat. Over time, my kids stopped caring about the rewards because they started enjoying the satisfaction of completing a piece of writing. But the rewards got them moving at first.
Even God recognizes the power of reward.
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 (NKJV).
Teaching our kids perseverance with small rewards now can help them learn to enjoy the bigger fruit later.
Teach Your Child That Writing Can Be Freeing
Writing is a safe place to say what you can’t always say out loud. For middle schoolers, who often feel like their emotions are bigger than their vocabulary, this can be incredibly freeing.
Encourage them to write in a private journal where no one else will read unless they choose to share. Give them space to express sadness, anger, joy, or confusion. Sometimes I’ll even say to my kids, “If you’re upset and don’t want to talk yet, write it down.”
When my daughter was having a tough time, she poured her heart onto paper. Later, she said, “I feel so much better now.” Writing helped her process the situation before she ever spoke a word about it.
Share Your Child’s Writing (With Permission)
One of the biggest motivators for a middle schooler is knowing that their words matter. When your child writes something meaningful, ask if you can share it—with family, at church, or even in a homeschool co-op newsletter.
Always ask their permission first. The goal is to encourage, not embarrass.
Help Them Pursue Publication (If They Want)
Not every child will want to take their writing beyond the family circle, but for some, the thought of seeing their work published is thrilling. There are magazines, contests, and even online platforms for young writers.
Our co-op has a paper that is written, edited, and published by students. If your child shows interest, research opportunities together. Even self-publishing a small booklet to share with friends and family can be a confidence boost.
Use Writing Prompts
Sometimes all a child needs is a good starting point. A blank page can feel intimidating, but a prompt gives them a launchpad.
You can create entertaining writing prompts at the dinner table or find books full of them:
- “If you could invent any new holiday, what would it be?”
- “Write a story where your dog becomes the president.”
- “Describe what life would be like if school happened at night instead of the day.”
As I mentioned earlier, I created a list of 100 writing prompts for my son and then used them with my oldest daughter, and now will use them with my youngest daughter.
These 50 Middle School Writing Prompts for Fall are the perfect solution for righ tnow. Each prompt is designed to spark creativity and help kids see writing as fun rather than frustrating. From describing the crunch of autumn leaves to imagining a world where fall lasts forever, these prompts encourage storytelling, journaling, and critical thinking in ways that feel natural and engaging. Best of all, they’re ready to print and use right away—making it easy to add a little inspiration to your homeschool or classroom this season.
Call an Audible
Sometimes, even with your best efforts, your child still struggles to find joy in writing. That’s when it might be time to call an audible. Just like in football, when the quarterback changes the play at the last minute, you may need to change things up and bring in some extra help.
Creative writing classes or fun electives—whether in person at a co-op, through your local library, or online—can make a world of difference. Kids often respond differently when another teacher brings fresh energy, new ideas, and group activities that make writing feel more like play than work.
This year, my youngest is taking an expository writng class and a media arts class that has a storytelling component at our co-op. Both were selected to help her overcome her disdain of writing.
One mom I know signed her daugher up for an online anime illustration course. Now her daughter is coming up characters and crafting dialogue bubbles. Writing is exciting when presented in a new format.
Think of electives like songwriting, journalism, blogging, or scriptwriting. These options can open your child’s eyes to new ways words can come alive. And sometimes, having peers in the mix gives middle schoolers the nudge they need to put pencil to paper (or fingers to keyboard) with enthusiasm.
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (NLT). Being in a setting where they can share ideas, laugh at silly stories, and encourage each other can sharpen your child’s skills and rekindle their spark for writing.
Just Between Us
If your middle schooler “hates writing,” take heart. They probably don’t hate it at all. They just need inspiration, encouragement, and a little creativity. Writing isn’t just about grammar and structure—it’s about expression, imagination, and even connection with God and others.
Give your child permission to find their voice. Show them writing can be playful, purposeful, and deeply personal. And remember, the goal isn’t to raise the next Shakespeare—it’s to nurture a lifelong love of words and the confidence to use them.
“Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” Hebrews 13:16 (NLT).
Sharing our words—whether in stories, notes, or prayers—is one of the many ways we can do good in the world.
So next time your child moans, “I hate writing,” smile and know the truth: they’re not against writing, they just need a spark to light their imagination. And you, Mama, are in the perfect place to help kindle that fire.
