Preserving the Memories of Early Childhood

After nine months of pregnancy that seemed to drag on and on, new parents can be lulled into the idea that there are always more chances to preserve the memories of their child's first year of life. The noises a newborn makes will still be there tomorrow, and the days after. It is only after each period of an infant's development that parents look back and realize that they never got those little coos and grunts on tape, like they had been meaning to. The best way to prevent the loss of these special times in your child's life is to be prepared, and to make a habit of preserving memories as they happen.

The easiest way to start this is to write in a journal. Start this habit during pregnancy. Not only is it a great way to preserve those memories too, but starting a new habit while adjusting to parenthood is next to impossible. Jot down little events from the day, stuff that made you laugh, what you were unsure of, and anything cute your baby did. This will give you something to do while waiting for your new bundle of joy to fall back asleep at 3:00 in the morning. Months from now, it will be hard to remember the blurry first weeks at home, and you will thank yourself for the keepsake of what those days were really like. Also, as you become more confident in your parenting techniques, it is nice to look back and see how far you've come.

Make sure you have a decent camera, and that you know how to use it. Whether you use digital, or are still using film, pictures are one of the best ways to preserve memories. There are a lot of great shots you can get before you even leave the delivery room. One of the most memorable is of your baby being weighed for the first time. This combines a picture of your very new baby along with the exact weight. This picture is priceless, and would be great to use for birth announcements. Other great shots include the first bath, and a picture of your doctor, who has been so much a part of your life recently, holding the child they helped bring into the world. Try to take a picture of your child once a week, at least for the first few months. It is amazing how much they will change.

Another great way to preserve memories is through scrapbooking. You do not have to be an crafty person to enjoy scrapbooking. If you can cut on a line and use glue, you have all the artistic ability you need. These pages don't have to be works of art; and what you can capture in a scrapbook goes past what pictures can tell you. Celebrate new accomplishments, daily life, and everything else that makes up your baby's life at any given point and time.

If you can afford it, the purchase of a camcorder will give you one of the best ways of looking back, by being able to see and hear what your child was like at each stage. Record more than first steps and first words, because those things are easier to remember than how he or she played with a toy, the before bed battles, and the interactions with other family members. Keep the camcorder in easy reach of where you spend the most time during the day. It is more likely that a camcorder will be used if it is kept on a shelf in the living room as opposed to in a closet somewhere.

One of the biggest surprises of parenting is how quickly a child grows up. Habits that have seem to be an integral part of who your child is may be outgrown and left behind sooner than you think. If you are still waiting for the arrival of your baby, get in the habit now of recording memories. If your child is already here, now is a great time to start. Make preserving memories a priority, especially during the first few years of life. It is the best gift you can give yourself as a new parent.