Starting your Child’s Scrapbook – Making Memories Last

A child’s scrapbook is among the most prized possessions a parent can own. Whether you have only one child, or several, it is likely you will want to capture many of those first time memories forever in an album that will preserve them for many years to come. There are several ways to do this, and you may even consider starting a separate album for different segments of your child’s life. Below are tips that will help you chronicle those precious moments so you can view them over and over again.

Begin with a baby book. The baby book will include items such as baby pictures, locks of your baby’s hair, cards you received before and after the birth, and various journal entries made by you, the proud parent. You can begin making these entries during your pregnancy as a way to express to your unborn child how happy you are about his or her impending birth. You can also include when he or she began to walk, talk, and memories of the first birthday.

Begin a toddler book. Since most children are quite active during this stage, you will probably accumulate a variety of photos to fill this album. Continue making journal entries that help the pictures tell a story in such a way that anyone reading it can easily imagine being there. Write down particular words or phrases spoken by your child as a way to preserve the adorable moments that seemingly slip away so quickly.

As your child gets older, construct an album that will include numerous art projects, drawings, and stories your child has created to give it that personal touch. Be sure to photograph important moments such as graduations, special parties, or any other important occasions. Encourage your child to become involved in the scrapbooking process by choosing pictures and suggesting ideas. This will add personality and really make it one-of-a-kind.

Lastly, create a scrapbook chronicling his or her junior high and high school years. Here, include pictures taken at school functions and family events, providing appropriate captions for each. While this part of the process may not be appreciated while it is taking place, it may be something to look back on when your children have offspring of their own.

Present your child with these albums at a time you deem appropriate. If he or she has taken an active part in the process over the years, it is likely these albums will have been viewed many times, and may be a requested keepsake. If you wish to keep copies of these albums, consider duplicating each album as it is created. After all, your child isn’t the only one who will wish to look back on all the special times.