How To Keep A Memory Journal - Guide For Busy Parents

As a busy parent, you might feel like life is a blur of school runs and endless to-do lists. You watch your little ones grow and think everything is worthy of being remembered, but finding the time and mental energy to document those precious moments often feels impossible. 

Preserving memories, however, shouldn’t feel like a monumental task. We believe in small, intentional gestures that go a long way - that’s what a memory journal is all about.

Best Ways To Keep Writing On A Busy Schedule 

Between your job, house chores, and spending time with children, there’s little time left for anything else. However, we’re here to tell you that capturing those memories only takes a few minutes a week. Here's how to keep a memory journal going and become more present in your child’s life, even on an already packed schedule:

Guided Prompts Are Your Best Friend

You shouldn’t have to stare at a blank page wondering what to write. That’s overwhelming and a recipe for giving up!

That’s why, at Colour Chronicles, we create memory journals for parents that use simple, guided prompts and clear, intuitive layouts, taking the guesswork out of documenting. The journal is asking you the right questions instead of waiting for you to come up with things to write, making memory-keeping meaningful without spending too much time on it.

Set A Dedicated Time & Space

Let’s be honest - sometimes, if something doesn't have a time slot, it won't get done. We recommend dedicating 5-10 non-negotiable minutes to your journal every week. A time slot dedicated to you and unwinding from that day’s stress, where you can focus on writing down your thoughts. 

If you can’t use the same time slot every week, don’t stress. Just do it while waiting for the kettle to boil on a Saturday morning, or right after the kids are in bed, while the day is still fresh. This shouldn’t feel like a chore, it should feel like self-care, like time for yourself.

Keep your journal and a favourite pen in a designated space as well, to inspire you to pick it up.

Start Small

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to document everything. Even a short entry can become a meaningful memory later on. Always remember - partially filling your journal is always better than not filling it out at all.

What To Include in Your Memory Journal

Memory journals are perfect for capturing milestones, but they can be so much more than that. Here are some small things you can do to make each entry more purposeful:

Use All Five Senses

When telling a story, describe what you saw, heard, smelled, tasted, and touched to make memories more vivid. 

Instead of writing, "We went to the park," try to write about the sweet scent of cotton candy, how the warm sun felt on your skin, or the sound of your kid’s joyous laughter.

Include Visuals

Print a few photos from your digital library and stick them to your entries. Seeing the image alongside your handwritten memory is priceless and can help evoke even stronger memories down the line.

Incorporate Creativity

Although The Book of You comes with guided prompts, that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with it! Let your kid scribble something in (there are lots of benefits of journaling with your kid!), or tape a ticket from a recent outing together. These little additions turn your journal from a book into a permanent collection of treasured memories, and it doesn’t even take too long to add them!

 How To Stay Consistent

Consistency isn't about perfection; it's about habit. Here’s how to build a lasting memory journal writing routine:

Be Flexible

Don't be too hard on yourself if you miss a day; just get back to it when you can.

You might be thinking, "I've already missed the first few years, so what's the point?". The point is - it’s never too late to start recording memories. Our memory journals are flexible, and if you miss a week, you can always simply write about the most memorable recent moment. 

Use Reminders

If you’ve got a set time for your journal writing, it might be a good idea to set yourself a calendar reminder. In the midst of everyday rush, you may forget about it, but an alarm will give you the heads up you need to keep it going.

Reread Past Entries

Looking back at what you've already written can inspire new entries! Not only that, but as you flip back through your journal, you’ll be flooded with the emotions of those moments. This feeling of fulfilment and pride in what you’ve created so far will be all the fuel you need to keep going.

Colour Chronicles - Helping Busy Parents Stay Connected

Don't just live the memories - keep them! At Colour Chronicles, we help busy parents preserve the most precious memories through guided journals.

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 create a lasting family heirloom? Explore the collection of family memory journals today.