Dude Diary..
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
April 4, 2013 12:25pm CST
My 10 year old saw this book at a book store awhile back, and really wanted it. Hubby and I thought it was sort of pointless at the time, so did not buy it. For Easter each of the kids got $20 from Aunt Doris, and the 10 year old asked to buy the Dude Diary, so I ordered it online for him and it just came in the mail today.
It's sort of interesting.. it's not like an actual diary. More like an activity book. It asks questions like "What would you rather have?" and gives multiple choice options like have a 2 headed pet snake, ride the batmobile for a day, trade places with a movie star for a week.. things like that. One page allowed him to create a remote control for his world and he could make the buttons do whatever he wanted, like mute his brothers or fast forward through school.. of course it's for pretend. Another page was for him to create a list of rude people and what they did that was rude.. and then the winner of rudeness.
I guess all in all it's not too bad.. he gets to vent some frustrations to this book in a way, and do something a little creative. It's interesting and it's going to keep him occupied for awhile. He's very happy with it.
Have you or your kids ever had a Dude Diary or something like it?
1 person likes this
11 responses
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
4 Apr 13
No, this is the first time I have heard of this book and thoroughly approve. The fantasy is good plus allowing him to express himself creatively. I am sure that he will so enjoy it. Of course, the fact of listing for example a list of rude people, allows him to to express himself fully about them and work through any feelings he may have. Your son is a very clever boy
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Apr 13
That's what I thought too. The fact that it locks is what I think really made him want it.. but it also has the good points of venting frustrations and being creative. He loves it, he keeps showing me the pages and how funny they are.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
4 Apr 13
Oh it locks? Privacy is very important here and I can understand why it would please him. I am glad that he shares with you too. What a great kid
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Apr 13
Yep.. he needs his privacy with so many other kids around. He's not showing me anything important yet.. just some of the funny stuff.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Apr 13
Nope, but I could see Cary liking something like that.
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
4 Apr 13
Fantastic!! I think it's awesome that your son wanted this activity book and was still thinking of it when he had the opportunity to buy something for himself. The whole concept of journaling, or getting clearer with ourselves on the inside, seems to always be directed at girls. I think that's a great loss to boys. They are equally creative, insightful, and in need of a variety of ways to express themselves. Not all boys are going to want to "vent" through sports all the time... or video games... or other ways that are commonly accepted. The fact that this Dude Diary encourages your son to think about how he sees the world around him, to consider many different options and ideas, is excellent! I'm glad you supported him and helped him to buy it
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Apr 13
Yeah, boys at that age have a lot of stresses.. the tween years, not quite a teen, but not really a kid anymore. It can be a difficult time. This book will help him sort through some of it.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Apr 13
Yes I think there was a girl's version, but my daughter wasn't interested in it.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 Apr 13
Might be a cute gift for grandchildren.. they make them for girls too.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Apr 13
I think it's always helpful for kids to write about their emotions, helps them get in touch with them better.
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
4 Apr 13
No my kids have not gotten anything quite like that, but they both have written quite a bit off and on over the years. I love the idea of this book and it sounds like a perfect "educational" but fun thing to have. It says a lot that he wanted to spend his Easter money on it.
@Pegasus72 (1898)
•
8 Apr 13
Yes I believe they have. The girls all liked things like that, or book all about themselves or our family.
@polaroidsredwine (509)
• United States
5 Apr 13
Ah yes, these are fairly common - I remember seeing these sorts of things stuck in at school book fairs when I was younger. There are girl versions, too! They can be pretty fun and some of them are even like activity books to share among friends. They're entertaining, but I was always more for an entirely blank book to use as a diary since it gave a lot more freedom to write and doodle whatever I wanted on whatever subject(s) I chose.
@maxfashioned (188)
•
4 Apr 13
Where did you find a book store? I thought everything was done online these days.
