Let’s face it, we all live pretty busy lives. Whether you’re a working mom or a stay at home mom, both leave us short on time, and making compromises in where we can put our energy is a necessity.
One of the things that is often left for later is preserving memories. We push it off for last or for another day because there are things that seem more pressing to get to like laundry, carpools and bills. But the truth is, preserving memories truly is something we should give some priority to because, ultimately, that is what we will cherish of the days gone by and it what will be our legacy when we are no longer here.
So how do we make sure that we take time and savor those moments and precious memories from birth through dance recitals, graduations and beyond? What are some ways that we can ensure that our thoughts are put down on paper, sharing how we feel about our child the moment we first see them finally walk? How do we pause, ponder and get it done in the midst of our overwhelming dish piles and carpool commitments?
Well, below, I have five quick and easy things that you can put into practice by chipping away a little bit each week which will make it possible to preserve memories rather quickly and without too much time dedication, but they result in a big emotional and sentimental impact for years to come.
Love Letters to Your Children
Create a journal for each child as they enter the family and begin to write letters to them. This can be done on a schedule (birthdays, important milestones, etc.) or randomly as certain moments strike you.
You can choose to write to all of your children at the same time so you do it across the board, evenly or on a whim as you feel inspired by their interactions with you and the world. Just make sure to have the journals accessible so as you feel inspired to jot down that little note of endearment, they are within reach.
The beauty of the journal is, it is done in your handwriting and your personal voice. In a time when technology and shorthand is everywhere, this journal takes you back to a more personal approach to affection through the traditional letter.
The letters do not have to be lengthy and sometimes the entries can be as simple as a list of “things I love about you right now”. You can make an entry be focused on a milestone they hit that you are proud of, or something you are struggling with regarding parenting them. This can truly be a reflection of your life with that particular child – the good as well as the challenging.
Project Life is a hybrid to the traditional scrapbook and photo album because it takes the two and blends them together. If you like to scrapbook but no longer have the time, this album is for you. It offers you a variety of photo pocket pages in different layouts along with predesigned core kits that are colorful and designed to please the creative soul of temporarily retired scrapbookers everywhere (ie: busy moms who just don’t have the time right now to put the time into traditional pages).
It’s a fantastic way to preserve memories and journal while you are in the throws of life as a busy young family. And if you don’t like to scrapbook but you love the idea of a photo album that has a little more to it than just photo pockets, this album is perfect for you as well.
Interview Your Kids on Their Birthdays
As your kids grow older, interviewing them on their birthday is an excellent way to capture them at each age. Ask them questions regarding their interests and perspective on the world. Be creative with your questioning. Use books like Listography for Kids each year to capture their youth in an interesting and varied way.
School Albums
Use keepsake albums and boxes with their report cards, class pictures, awards and other school and extracurricular activities saved inside. Place them in chronological order and make notations as you go along. Ask your child questions (much like the interview suggestion above) about their favorite parts of their school year or sports and make notes of that to keep along with it.
Books About Yourself
Preserve memories that are autobiographical in nature to leave behind for your children and grandchildren. Books like Listography that are quick to fill out when you have a moment or an “All About Me” journal that asks a series of questions centered around your life and experiences in life. This allows you to leave a legacy behind – a piece of yourself that may not otherwise be there. Your family will be grateful to you for taking that time out to preserve a piece of you within these books.
Taking a few minutes each week to preserve memories is important. Consider using one or a couple of the methods above to keep track of the things in life that pass all too quickly.
Which of these methods for preserving methods appeals most to you?Â
Image: Photon_de
