Once upon a time I was getting tired of reading the same dino, paw patrol, or tractor book.
So I opened ChatGPT and worked with it to craft an amazing 10 minute story, putting my son as the main character in a hero's journey that teaches him a valuable lesson about mindfulness, effort, and listening to nature.
Over time, I started improving the prompt to where it includes all his closest family and friends as main characters, gigantasarus always makes an appearance, and I try to weave in some surfing and jiu-jitsu (activities he's loving right now.
It's fun because the story is a surprise to me as I read it to him (often just print it out on paper so I'm not looking at my phone) I find myself cracking up because of all the familiar people and places mentioned.
It's become one of my favorite rituals -- and something my son looks forward to every night.
If you want to try it, here’s the prompt I refined after a few experiments.
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Paste this into ChatGPT:
Write a 10-minute bedtime story for a [age]-year-old named [child’s name]. Make them the main character and hero of a classic hero’s journey—with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
The story should:
Be imaginative, magical, and age-appropriate
Include a recent event from their real life: [insert recent event or memory]
Teach gentle lessons about mindfulness, putting in your best effort, and our connection to something greater than ourselves (nature, spirit, etc.)
Also teach one new word
Feature their favorite animal: [insert animal]
Include family members: [list family members]
Include friends: [list friends]
Include their favorite toy: [insert toy]
Include their favorite food: [insert food]
Include their favorite sport or activity: [insert activity]
Take place in or near: [insert environment or location]
Be funny, meaningful, and full of heart
Be written simply enough to read aloud at bedtime
End the story with a moment of reflection or calm—something that helps them feel safe, inspired, and ready for sleep.
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Have fun.
ai parenting storytime chatgpt mindfulness
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