Dear Kiddo: Making Memories That Will Last a Lifetime

From pictures and video to scrapbooks and blogs, there are many ways to record events and memories of your kids. But the one that means the most to me is a simple letter.

When my first child was born my husband and I wrote her a letter when we were in the hospital. The letter detailed the day’s events and recorded our thoughts and feelings about her birth. We also wrote about her and what her arrival meant to us. A quick re-read of the letter takes me back. It helps me remember the name of the nurse we liked the best and how excited and sleep deprived we were. Thanks to the letter, we won’t forget, and one day, she will know.

Each year on her birthday, I write her a letter. I include all of the little things about her that she is doing, the words she knows, who her friends are, her favorite toys, and funny things she has done. For example, she calls her little brother “son” like we do.

The letter doesn’t take long and it’s just once a year, so it is easy to do. It is my opportunity to tell her in my own words how grateful I am that she is my daughter.

Of course, I do the same thing for my son and we have electronic files for each child with birthday letters in them. I also keep a hard copy as a backup.

One day, when they are old enough, they will get the letters. And I plan to continue to write them for the rest of my life.

What are some ways you record memories of your kids?

Heather Robinson is a mother of two and the author of TheMommyhood, a blog dedicated to tips and solutions for busy moms.