A few years ago, I bought each of my kids a domain in their name.
As we get closer and closer to Wall-E times, I assume calling dibs on a url is a smart move. In fact, each year, as I click renew, I scream out YOU’RE WELCOME to a trio of confused toddler faces who have no idea how thankful they should be to me right now.
You’re welcome kids, I’m the reason you aren’t going to be www.JoodGibbonz45.wu.
I mean, it’s the least I can do, I’ve never been a great scrapbooker, or getter of things off memory cards, but they’re getting older, and I really want to make a point to keep memories for them down the road.
Which is when I got the idea to open email accounts.
So fine, most of their photos happen to be taken with my iPhone, that doesn’t mean I can’t preserve the moment for them to look back on to cringe or tell me they hate me for.
I opened each of the kids a gmail account (there is an age requirement, so I had to use my own birth year), and shared the addresses with family members, so whenever the mood or moment strikes, we can fire off an email to Jude, Wyatt or Gigi.
A funny story, a silly cell phone picture, a million I love you’s, it doesn’t matter, one day I’ll give them the password to read all the memories the account holds.
And yeah, there are virtual scrapbooks and memory sites and crap, but it doesn’t get any simpler than sitting next to the soccer field, taking a picture, and clicking send.
This is their scrapbook. It’s not frilly, or shiny or glittery, but it’s the best reflection of our lives right now; digital, in transient, fast, fun as hell.
I must have the same kind of crazy because I’ve done the exact same thing. I hated that their email address might have numbers or be some crazy amalgamation of various letters of their names that don’t spell out their ACTUAL names.
What a great idea! I wish I could have done this for my kids…. Of course, the whole world wide web thing was so new when they were born it may not have been feasible….
I am the worst mom ever! Neither of my kids have domains or emails. Or scrapbooks. The future therapy bill just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
P.S. That last pic made me get all verklempt and mistenhausen.
Both of my kids have email, but they occasionally actually read theirs. They are 10 and nearly 14. The electronic scrapbook thing is a cool idea. I should start saving that to a thumb drive somewhere…
Awwww, I love that you are just a big ball of mush, deep down! This is so sweet.
Ahem…don’t, like, tell anyone.
I did that right when I got home on Saturday night! :) Now…to send them some email!
Oh, and my kids DO have regular email accounts that they have access to – only family has it. They hardly check it, but they do think it’s cool.
Best. Idea. Ever.
Brittany, this is the most wonderful, amazing idea. I regret that I didn’t think of it. My daughter is nearly 15, so it’s a little late for me as she already has her own email, facebook, twitter, and tumblr. I have boxes of pictures of her that I dont know what to do with. Scrapbooking them would take time I don’t have. Maybe, I’ll open her a email account and just start scanning and pouring them in her email with a thought or two about them, and give it to her as a gift when she graduates college, gets married, or has kids of her own. ….Jesus, I need a drink.
I love this. Now I want to set up gmail accounts for my kids too!
This is a fantastic idea.
Too bad my son is now 22! Fab idea. Also, thanks for making my wildly hormonal self get all teary with those entries!
I did the same thing!! However, I emailed my oldest from being in the belly all the way through the end of her 1st year. Then I … well … I tapered off. 2nd baby didn’t even get a full year. But I still email tidbits here and there. I have a private blog for them too. Must dust that off as well. Thanks for the motivation! xo
I *love* this idea! I have a password-protected blog for my kid where I write schmoopy baby letters and post photos, but I love the idea of just firing off a photo and email. Totally stealing! (And PS, god your kids are cute)
You. Are. Brilliant.
Fucking hormones. *sob*
best idea ever.
I am so doing this.
That is awesome!!!! What an cool idea! Man, I suck as a mom!!! BTW…Gigi is a total Mini-Britt and is fucking adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!
Such a genius idea. I think I’ll have to borrow it. There are so many times I just want to remember a moment and I assume my brain is some miraculous organism that will capture that moment and let me access it forever. This will be way easier than that half filled out baby book I have.
Just out of curiosity, is there a reason you picked gmail over any other email server?
No. It’s a familiarity thing. I use gmail and love it and google across the board, so I went with what I know:)
I think my husband bought our daughter’s name domain when she was born, but I just started an email address for her a few months ago. I’ve been meaning to give it to other family members so they can send her notes, too.
First, I thought who the h. would really open email accounts and domaines for their small kids.
But I actually like the idea, after reading your explanation. :) Like you say, it’s just a click and woooh your kids got a nice memory of themselves.
That’s genius! I’m inspired to start one for my son!
This is fucking badass and and I’m sorry that my kids are already 4 and 16 months and I haven’t started yet. Today! IT starts to-Day
This is such a great idea! Kudos to you…your kids have a really awesome mom. <3
I created a gmail account for Goose when she was just over a year old, but never came up with the brilliant idea to actually SEND her emails with pics, notes, whatever like you are doing. That’s going to change starting now!! Thanks for sharing your brilliance :) Once Duckie is born I’ll set up one for him/her as well :) this is a wonderful (and EASY) idea!! much easier than the scrapbook I’m working on for Goose… she just turned 3, and I’m still working on her first year of life… *sigh*
This is the BEST idea. I saw a commercial once of a guy who did this for his daughter and it totally made me cry, but I never thought to actually do it for my kids. Frickin genius over here…
As an IT babe by day I suggest logging into the accounts every so often. Even reading one then marking back to not read. Wouldn’t want it it get deleted or made inactive. Love the idea!
I have Dear Kid emails set up for both of mine (only done recently), and I love it, but I never thought of sending just random every day stuff. Mostly I send them apologies after I’ve majorly screwed up.
Awwww. My eyes are welling with happy tears over these photos.
My heart just exploded into a bajillion pieces when I read this. Love!!!
By far the COOLEST baby book replacement idea. This is AWESOME!!! Not only that but the one thing the future generations will get from this age is the lack of usernames, you’ve already held at least email ones for them… Great idea…I’m off to email this to some of my girlfriends that say they don’t have time to do a baby book!
I absolutely love this idea! So precious!
This is so beautiful and sweet. I’m a sarcastic, abrasive cynic…until it comes to my son.
I cried. It may be because of the Blue Moon or the vodka cranberries, but I cried. I’m doing this. Thank you for the idea.
My kids have e-mail accounts, too. They have to, ya know, for their iTunes accounts.
This has to be one of the best ideas I have ever heard. I don’t even have kids but I want to register email accounts for other peoples’ children now!
What a wonderful idea. That last photo and message made me all teary-eyed.
That is a genius idea and you needed to publish this post about 5 years ago…just sayin’…
love it.
That is an awesome idea!!!
Sometimes your posts make me tear up…damnit
I’m sure it’s been said a million times already, but what an awesome idea!!
That is such a fantastic idea!