How Can a Memory Book Help You Be More Present With Your Child

A busy schedule can make it hard to be fully in the moment for your children, but being present matters - it helps us build stronger bonds & create lasting memories, and helps our children feel truly seen and valued.

In a world full of distractions, a simple memory book can help you be more present for your child at every stage, from toddlerhood to the pre-teen years.

What Is A Memory Book?

A so-called ‘memory book’ is a guided journal, designed for you and your child to fill out together. It can be a dedicated space to put away distractions and focus on what matters most: you and your child’s relationship.

Inside a memory book like our very own “Book of Me and You”, each page offers prompts and questions that encourage conversations that might not happen otherwise. Questions like, "What's your favourite memory from this month?" can help you see the world through your child’s eyes. The book also includes space for drawings, photos, or special mementoes like ticket stubs or even dried flowers.

Become More Present In Your Child’s Life With A Memory Book

There are no rules to keeping a memory book - it’s all about you and your child, and turning a blank page into something uniquely yours. If the pull of modern life and busy schedules keeps you away from your child, here’s how a memory book can help you tune back in and be more present:

Keep Track Of Early Years

The early years are a blur of firsts - first steps, first words, and a lot more. A memory book can help you pause and cherish every single change, keeping a physical record of the little things you might otherwise forget. By taking just a few minutes each week to fill in a page, you’re creating a treasured keepsake you can look back on and reread together for years to come.

A Way To Schedule Time Together

The best way to ensure you keep working on your memory book is by turning it into a planned activity that both you and your kid can look forward to. By scheduling this time to work on the book, you can create a dedicated, phone-free zone where you can give your full, undivided attention to your child and your shared activity.

Deeper Conversations & Active Listening

The prompts in the book are varied and go beyond surface-level talk ("How was school?"). They require you to listen to your child's answers and thoughts, and encourage conversations about emotions, dreams, and memories, helping you gain a deeper understanding of your child's inner world. This can help you switch your focus from your own to-do list to your child’s feelings and experiences, fostering active listening and a higher understanding of their inner world.

Transform Moments into Memories

The act of writing, drawing, or adding a photo to the book allows you to pause and reflect on a specific moment. This way, you can appreciate and savour the small details of their childhood that might otherwise be forgotten. 

Later in life, you can both look back on those pages and reminisce about those moments. It can become a true mirror of the past, passed down through the generations. 

Much-Needed Validation

When you ask your child to share their thoughts and then record them in the book, you are showing them that their feelings, opinions, and experiences are important and worthy of being documented. This makes them feel seen and valued, which can make a world of difference in your child’s development.

A Positive Example

When you set aside your own distractions to focus entirely on the book and your child, you are modelling what it means to be fully present. This is a valuable life lesson for them to witness and learn from, one that they may, in return, share with their own children in the future. 

The Book of Me and You - More Than A Memory Book

‘The Book of Me and You’ is not just a tool for documenting memories - it can become a ritual for you and your child, a way to connect, away from the stress and distractions of day-to-day life.

All memory books in our collection are:

• Inclusive & fit for every kind of family, with prompts that make no assumptions

• Designed to be treasured forever as a record of your little one’s childhood

Ready to start your journey to a more present relationship? Learn more about our Parent & Child Memory Book and order yours today!