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Kids journals are a life-saver! It is the no-guilt method to baby books! Are you frustrated that you are behind on your scrapbooking for your kids?
Do baby books make you crazy? Are you like me and started a scrapbook for your first child but that’s where you got stuck and stopped?
Then you are NOT alone and you need to try this no-guilt method instead!
I Was Given A Treasure
Several years ago I was given a real treasure! I was given
She had written some things when I was a baby. I didn’t care that is wasn’t complete, I was just so happy to see some things my mom had written about me.
I really would have enjoyed knowing how she “felt” about everything, how her pregnancy had gone, how delivery her delivery went in her words, but I was just grateful to have the few things I did in her own handwriting!
My mom passed away about a month after I turned 13 and I really don’t have the best memory, so receiving this baby book was a real treat!
My Mom’s Handwriting and Words Mean So Much
It’s really interesting how much it means to me to have her words written in her own handwriting about me. For me, it was kind of like getting a hug from her because I felt the love in her words. My book is truly a treasure to me!
It also occurred to me that someday when I am gone, that my words will mean so much to my children. What will they want to know? What could I record now that would be a treasure to them later?
Even if we feel like our kids know how much we love them, we all have doubts, bad days and we forget! So reading how much you are loved is a timeless gift that keeps on giving!
The idea for my “kids journals” began when I realized how much my mom’s words meant to me. My children will someday be grateful for my words whether there is a lot of them or very little of them.
Use a Simple, Inexpensive Composition Notebook!
Let me explain these “journals”. They are a simply made journal from a composition notebook (#paid Link) with 3 sections in them.
The Sections
The first section is for “Dates to Remember”, the second section is “Special Moments” and the third section is “Journal”.
You could create whatever sections make sense to you. It doesn’t matter how you decorate them either….or even if you do decorate them. That’s not what’s important. (In hindsight, I wouldn’t glue things on the front that can get rubbed off when you stack them in a drawer. oops!)
What do You Write?
In the “Dates to Remember” section, I write information like when they got their first tooth when they took their first step, baptism date and any other important dates I want to remember, or I want them to know about someday.
This is also where I “stick” those cute little stickers they give you at the doctor’s office that tells how they are growing. I also write nicknames. You could write favorite toys, food, friends, etc.
Just Write What You Can!
If you are starting this late, just write what you can remember. The most important thing is to just start somewhere. These can be very sweet letters written directly to them, or it can be like a journal entry you are writing about them. You could also write it like a “story” about them.
However you decide to write doesn’t’ matter.
What matters, is the memories you are leaving for your children to enjoy.
In the section for “Special Moments,” I write funny things they say or do that I want to remember, or a special event we went to and what happened. These are the “moments” that make life so special and that need to be recorded.
You Can Record Your Child’s Birth Story
In one of my daughter’s “journals,” I recorded the story of her birth. You could also include “favorites” in this section if you wanted.
In the “Journal” section, I write about them and how they are growing or how much they mean to me. A lot of the time, I write letters directly to them that tell them how much I love them and why.
There are so many special moments that happen when you are raising a child, that recording them is a blessing to you and to them. It helps me to “look” for things to write about.
When Do You Give It To Them?
My kids call them their “journals” and they will ask me if I have written in them lately? I have decided that they won’t be allowed to read them until they leave home or get married or maybe even later?…..
You might decide to give them a “glimpse” when they are going through a hard time, or let them have full access to them. That’s really up to you and how you feel about it.
To my children, it’s kind of like a “mystery” book I am writing about them that they will get to read someday. They all look forward to reading them.
The Truth
The truth is that I haven’t been as good about writing in them as I had intended, however, they will have so much more than I have written about me and for that reason alone, I don’t have any guilt about them. This will be a priceless gift to them someday.
This is something I feel strongly about and I just keep writing in them when I can. I am so glad that I started them and that I have written some things in each of their journals. (I have eight!!… which
There is No GUILT because they will be Grateful (Believe Me!)
They will be so grateful for every little bit! This is what keeps me going. It also helps me not to be discouraged about them. You just start where you are right now!
What I love the most about it is that there is NO GUILT involved!
Whatever you write is more than what they would have had, so just keep writing when you can!
Make them Yours, Add Pictures, and Whatever You Would Like
Add pictures if you want. Write a letter to them. Update medical issues. Write down funny things they said. Stick important programs in there.
Just do the best you can and write when you can. NO GUILT!
I like to write in them on Sundays, it gives me a chance to reflect on things they have done lately that I may want to record. I’ve even encouraged my husband to write in them because they will love to know what Dad thinks too!
Start Now, and K.I.S.S.
I think the most important thing to remember is to just start where you are and keep it simple sweetie!
If you have a minute later to “go back” and record some things, then go for it.
The intention is NOT to record every detail of their life but to record your feelings towards them and special “moments” that need to be remembered and treasured. Begin now, and “write” a treasure for their future! They will thank you someday!
Happy Writing with NO-Guilt!
~Amy
