Should parents read their children’s diaries? Some say, “Yes, they should”. If the child seemed to be having a problem and write it down in the diary, then if parents read it, it may help parents to know what they can do to give a hand. It could help a problem getting completely out of hand.
However, some people insist that parents should not read their children’s diaries. Children should be allowed a certain amount of privacy as adults do. If parents have a question about what’s going on with their children, it’s their responsibility to open the channels of communication in different ways than to invade their privacy.
I feel that it is unwise to read children’s diaries, no matter what the circumstances are. Many teens keep diaries for the reason that they have ‘someone’ to talk to, confide in and vent their frustrations without causing any problems with friends and family. If parents feel their children are in trouble, don’t invade their privacy — that will only make things worse. Instead, talk with them.