Note from Katie: After my post about birthday letters, Alexis mentioned that she journals for her kids. My book loving heart loves this idea! I wish I had thought of it, but I am very pleased to have Alexis share with us today how she does it. If you are not a writer or a book lover, maybe this will spark an idea about some other way you could preserve memories for your family. I'd love to have you share your ideas with us in the comments!
I started scrapbooks for two of my older children when they were newborns in hopes of creatively documenting their childhood. Hope along with a pile of colorful papers and pictures is all it turned out to be. Truth be told I failed miserably at scrapbooking. It isn't my preferred outlet for creativity and the demands of having little ones pushed my hopes of scrapbooking their childhood to the side long ago.
Once I realized that scrapbooking was not going to be an effective method of preserving my children's childhood memories I brainstormed other ideas that might serve the same purpose but that which I might be more successful at maintaining over the longterm.
I have always enjoyed writing, it comes quickly and easily to me more often than not. With this in mind I wanted to try my hand at journaling as a way of preserving their childhood memories.
Ten years later, we have been blessed with a few more children so my stack of journals has grown.
I have thoroughly enjoyed writing my thoughts, prayers, hopes, wishes, and dreams for each of my children in their respective journals. I also include important events in their lives just like typical baby books. Unlike baby books though I am able to add more detail and emotion to the events. From time to time, I also include pictures of the type you might find in scrapbooks.
I enjoy reading back through their journals from time to time. These journals have become a mini time capsule if you will, a memory filled book preserving each of my children's childhoods.
My plan is to give my children their journals on their 18th birthday. Although, one of my older boys, the curious one by nature regularly sits and reads his journal. He thoroughly enjoys recounting events that happened to him when he was younger and loves looking at all of the pictures I've accumulated in his journal over the years.
Ideally, I aim to write in each book one or two times every month. Realistically though, I am thrilled if I add a journal entry every 2 months – life has a way of being very busy.
If you enjoy writing or blogging, you might just enjoy preserving your children's childhood memories through journaling.
You can find lovely journals to fit any personality (and even sketch journals) at Amazon.com, CBD.com, Barnes and Noble, Family Christian Stores, or your local craft/hobby store. You can also upload photos and create a digital scrapbook/memory book at sties like Shutterfly.com or Snapfish.com
Alexis is a veteran homeschooling Mom of 7 who enjoys gluten free and vegan cooking. When she isn’t homeschooling or caring for her large family she enjoys blogging about healthy living at Health Matters. Life Matters. In her spare time she enjoys photography, the beach, and a good book.
Durrani says
so loving to read this article.it also remind me my memories of childhood time.i also remember my school days.really so much amazing.thanks for sharing it