Would you read your child’s diary?

[Littlelife43]

Just curious- would you if it was easily accessible to you? I definitely wouldn’t even if I was curious.
my mom read my diary when I was around 16/17 and totally misinterpreted what I had been writing about (she assumed I was having sex with a certain boy when I wasn’t) she got herself so worked up about it she had to take a few days off work. I ended up coming out as gay not long after that but she still maintained I had done it anyway She made me feel so dirty and when I think about it I still feel so annoyed. Even though it’s 25 years ago. I challenged her on it a few years ago and she stood over doing it as if it was her right as a parent.

No I wouldn't.

Never.

No, absolutely not. I have never snooped in my DDs' rooms, ever. When I was 15 I realised Dad had snooped, and I made a solemn promise to myself that I'd never do it to my children.

No, it's a huge invasion of privacy and really disrespectful.

I did once, yes.
My teen has an incurable health condition. I thought she was experiencing a recurrence of symptoms; however she denied this absolutely. This reflected her desire not not have to deal with it I think. I went to her dairy to see if she was in fact getting unwell again. Her diary confirmed that she was in fact very unwell and as a consequence of reading it I made contact with her consultant and she was called in for a check up which resulted in 6 months of hospital treatment. So I don't regret it though I accept it was a breach of privacy.

Not if everything in their world was ok and I didn't have any concerns.

If I did have serious concerns and talking wasn't helping, yes I would. Nothing is more important than my child's emotional and physical welfare and if a bit of snooping meant I could help and understand them I would do it.

Yes - if I'm concerned about their welfare

Absolutely not. It's a complete breach of trust and invasion of privacy.

No, I simply wouldn't betray their trust like that. Not every child keeps a diary, there's no aspect of parenting that would require me to violate their privacy like that.

No, I really wouldn’t.
I’m pretty sure that my mum read my diary and looking back I also think my big brother had a read too. I’d never betray my child’s trust by doing that.

Yes of course I would if it would help protect them or be positive for their welfare. Just like I'd check phones.

No. I know where DD’s diary is but have never read it.

No unless there was incredibly serious issues going on

Only if I was really concerned about something.

For those saying yes, I wonder where your threshold is regarding 'being concerned for their safety'.

That wording covers all manner of sins. They have a boyfriend, they go a bit quiet for a few days, they get a B in maths, they snap at you...

Sounds like a justification for anything.

No. I couldn't break their trust or privacy like that. I don't look for a diary and I've told them that I wouldn't read one if they had one.

My mother regularly read everything and anything she thought might be personal or private and used it against me. In fact, she found an old teenage diary if mine a couple of years ago and used it to create a massive argument.

I couldn't make my children feel that way.

Of course not.

My mum did this to me too. I hated her for it and 20 years later still haven't forgotten it even though our relationship is better. I would never do it to my children because I know how it feels

Nope. Though appreciate it is tempting

No way. As an adult you should know to respect people's privacy. I could imagine a child reading their parents diary if they came across it though.

Anything affecting their mental well-being really. If they seemed depressed, overly anxious, aggressive.
Basically, if I was worried about drugs, bullying and abuse mainly.
I don't care if it's a breach of their privacy. My priority would be to get them well again.

A 7yo? Yes, probably.
Over the age of 10 ish, no. I probably wouldn't like what I read!

My dd attempted suicide twice.. I found a note book in her room. Didn't hesitate to read it. Enabled us to seek cahms help faster knowing what she was feeling.. Luckily she has been much better since. Been 2 years since the last attempt.. If you see signs. Please look.
Also check laptops if any worries.. Dd had been accessing sites that encouraged suicide...

Absolutely not. People put their inner most thoughts in a diary. Things that they may never want to share with anyone. Such a huge breach of privacy and trust, no way could I do that.

Just want to say my parents used to ransack my room and read my diary when I was fucking 23!!!! And then angrily interrogate me 😑