The Best of COF--Preserving Memories

Reader Response

Heather asked, "What are some good ideas for saving memories, especially during your child’s younger years?"

The readers responded!

One thing my mother did when we were younger that is fun to look back on is our baby books. For one of my brothers she used a baby book from the store and then for my other brother and I she used a regular photo album and included photos, cards, clippings of hair etc. along with monthly updates on what we were doing and saying. Stories about things we did with our siblings, friends or family were especially fun to go back and read.

Hanna

I would write things on a calendar that I kept in their room, so every time I was either changing their diaper, putting them to bed, nursing them, or whatever, I would remember to write down what happened that day.Write down ordinary things and every-day happenings that you think you'll NEVER forget because you WILL forget them!! (speaking from experience...20 years later) Take pictures! Buy a Date-Back Camera (old school) or use the date setting on your digital camera. You will love it in later years when you can't remember the date! And of course....scrapbook those pictures and get the journaling/writing done NOW! Because, once again....you WILL forget!
Becky

I personally love scrapbooks, because they are like a journal with pictures. Plus, it allows you to be creative and incorporate small mementos. So for those of you with babies, you could add locks of hair, hospital bracelets, etc.

Karen

　
　
Make a memory box for each child that you have. I have heard of some people saving Sunday school papers, papers from school, coloring pictures and etc.. Also, make sure to scrapbook every picture and if you aren't a scrapbooker, then just put them in an album. Your child will really appreciate it when they get older.
Sherah

Take pictures!!!! Lots of pictures!!!!!!!!!!!! Share stories about your children to others and that way you will better retain them.

Jenna

　
Establish a "tradition" in your home. It can be something as small as a favorite dessert on special occasions or a meal that signifies this is as set apart. During grade school, we established a "special night" after a semester of school was completed. Even though Mason is now 14 years old, we still chuckle over his dinner menu for special nights. It was jerky, Ramen Soup, Jello, and carrot sticks. Even though we didn't do this, I wish I would have taken a picture of them cooking and serving the food, even a pic of the plate. Then set apart a photo box, label it "special nights" and put the pics in. If this tradition started in Preschool-High School it would be a wonderful photo display of them growing up over the years.
My son has now graduated to Crab Legs, Apple Nut Salad, and Garlic Bread!

Suzee

A great way to keep memories is by writing daily in a journal. You can simply write about what happened that day. It doesn't have to be about monumental events, but about the little things. Later on, when you look back, you'll be glad you captured the everyday things that made that time in your life special.
Ashlee

When I was little, my mom used to take a picture of

the same activity every year. Like apple picking, a special time with our grandpa, or with our dad in the garage and then she would cut it into a circle, glue it onto the top of the inside of a canning jar lid and glue onto a long thick ribbon and hang them in the hallway. It was fun to see each year how we had grown. That was her "cheap" way of displaying some of our family pictures!

Holly

I’ve heard that you should take a 30 second video of your baby each week on the video camera so that at the end of the first year, you have a 25 min. video of their growth and development. A shorter video will be more likely to be watched down through the years than if you film countless hours of footage. You could continue this practice all through childhood.
Lindsey

I'm definitely not shy on taking pictures! I take rolls and rolls of film as well as video!

Kristin