Journaling

My former boss gave me advice that I will be forever grateful for…  create a journal for each child.  Now I don’t invest the time or resources on making this all cutsey.  I would never get around to journaling if I waited for just the right paper or matching stickers.  These journals have become literally a “scrap” book where I paste in things like Brayden’s very first drawing, his sparkly Band-Aid and what I learned from him through his visit to the doctor’s, a mini envelope of his hair clippings, funny stories, and gifts and talents I observe in him.  Every now and then I’ll order some Costco prints to be delivered to the house and then I’ll simply glue them in – hopefully adding in some captions.  I like to keep the journals OUT, somewhere where I’ll see them regularly to easily update.  I also keep a stash right by them where I can throw things I want to sometime glue in.  I’ve heard of some moms having a binder for each child with sheet protectors where they can quickly slip in journal worthy items to later “scrapbook”.   On our fridge, it helps me to keep a list of journal entry ideas as I think of them so I don’t forget when I sit down to write.  They have already become such a treasure in our family. I feel like this helps fortify their sense of identity and it makes for a fun Sunday activity to flip the pages.  As our kids grow up and get married, I plan to give them their journals as a wedding gift!  If you already have older kids – don’t worry about catching up the last several years – just start now.  Don’t stress about it being perfect or waiting until you have just the right pictures… Just start doing it, and you’ll be so glad you did!