Mar 13, 2025

Making Memories with The Book of You

Imagine opening a treasure chest of memories, with written stories and pictures of your child growing up, full of your child’s laughter ready to burst out from between the pages. That’s the beauty of a memory book! But for a lot of parents, the task of putting one together can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What should you include? And how do you turn it into a genuinely special experience?

So whether you’re a journaling pro or a busy parent just trying to capture those fleeting childhood memories, this guide’s for you. We'll guide you through the steps to your unique memory book, making it a joint effort that brings you even closer to each other. (And by the end of this post, you’ll feel inspired to get started on this sweet adventure with your child!)

So, pull out your favourite pen and let the memory-making begin! Prepare to make a memory that you and your little one will treasure for years to come.

Capturing Milestones

When you capture important milestones, you are storing memories that will be cherished for years. You will have a beautiful story of their growth through childhood.

First day of school

The first day of school is a pivotal moment in your child's life. Capture this milestone by including:

A photo of your child in their new school uniform
Their feelings about starting school (excited, nervous, eager)
The name of their teacher and new friends they've made
A small memento, like their first name tag or a drawing from that day

Sports and extracurricular activities

Document your child's passions and hobbies as they grow:

Photos of them in uniform or performing
A list of skills they've learned or improved
Quotes from coaches or instructors about their progress

Family days out and holidays

Preserve the magic of special times spent together:

Photos of favourite moments or landmarks
Brief descriptions of new experiences or adventures
A list of family traditions started or continued

Personal achievements

Celebrate your child's growth and accomplishments:

Academic achievements (writing their name, learning the 5x table, creating a volcano)
Photos of completed projects or performances
Personal goals achieved and new skills mastered
A timeline of significant "firsts" (first steps, first bike ride, first lost tooth)

Encouraging Self-expression

Drawing and colouring sections

One of the best ways to help foster self-expression is by incorporating drawings in your memory book. These allow children to creatively express their ideas, emotions, and experiences through visual representation.

Writing prompts for older children

For older children who can express themselves through writing, the writing prompts can help spark creativity and encourage deeper reflection. Some more ideas for writing are:

"My favourite memory from this year is..."
"If I could have any superpower, it would be..."
"The person I admire most is... because..."
"In ten years, I hope to..."

Include favourite quotes or song lyrics

Providing a space for children to include their favourite quotes or song lyrics in the memory book is another great way to personalise it and give insight into what helped shape their personality and interests at different stages of their lives. This can be done by:

Asking kids to explain why they chose specific quotes or lyrics
Decorative elements to make these personal selections stand out

In the memory book, opportunities for self-expression will reflect your child's unique personality and growth over time.

Incorporating Photos and Memorabilia

When you add photos to your memory book, select photos together that highlight big events. Select candid images that capture your child’s personality and activities. Consider including:

First-day-of-school photos
Birthday celebrations
Family days out
Milestones such as learning to put shoes on themselves, reading their first book, or learning how to ride a bike

Creating photo collages

If your child doesn’t enjoy writing, they can build a visual narrative with a photo collage. Here are some suggestions for making engaging collages:

Pick a theme for each collage (think summer adventures, school year highlights)
Mix photos of different sizes
Make the images pop with colourful backgrounds
Add captions/stickers for explaining context

Making it Collaborative

Inviting family members to collaborate

When creating a memory book with your child, making it a family affair makes it even more special. Invite grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins to join this beloved project. Here are some ideas for involving extended family:

Send around a group email or create a shared online document for family members to post their stories and memories
Have a family night of working on the memory book together
Arrange video calls with far-flung relatives to recite their contributions out loud

Taking turns writing and decorating

To make the book really collaborative, you can alternate writing and decorating between you and your child to make filling in the memory book more fun. By doing this, you and your child can freely express your creativity. Here are a few ways to make this experience fun:

Create an arts and crafts space

Schedule working on the book together

Let your child decide which pages they want to decorate or write on

Not only will you make a cherished keepsake, you are also teaching your child about the importance of shared experiences.

Revisiting and adding to your memory book over time

A memory book is a living document that can develop with your child. Make it a tradition to:

Use at birthdays/ special occasions and review the book together
Add new entries, photos, or mementos each year
Once they are old enough, let your child write in their own thoughts and reflections.

The Book of You will serve as a time capsule of your child’s early years that they will treasure as they grow older. By taking care of it, sharing it with those you love, and continuing to add to it, you are creating something your family will treasure for years and years to come.