I suck at scrapbooking.
Don’t get me wrong, I make amazing and beautiful pages. But what I really suck at is actually carving out the time to set out my stuff and work on the scrapbooks for my kids.
I figured, the books were really for me anyway, right?
So then, I switched the digital albums. Way better because you don’t have to see my messy writing and I can mess with them while I am pretending to work (the same time I update my son’s baseball team stats and Christmas shop).
And even still, sometimes there are small memories when I am not at my computer and I want record them in the moment, so that the worrying and nagging thought in the back of my neurotic mom brain that I will forget, will subside. I worry I will forget what my daughter smells like fresh out of the shower, or the overwhelming pride I felt for my son when he hit his first homerun.
Or that somehow, they will forget. Forget how much I loved them. You know, I am fully aware that the day will come when they decide to spend a few years hating me. My son is 11, everyone tells me that day is right around the corner.
So, now, I email them.
After all, it’s 2011, emailing is the new scrapbooking.
I set up email accounts for each of my kids, like dear_daughter@gmail.com, etc. And now I send her emails. All the time. I email pictures of her with her best friend and why I love the friendship that they have. Knowing that it is not likely that they will still be friends in 20 years. But today, I love their little bond. I love their honesty and the way they look out for each other. Or when she got her first report card, or was in the school play.
I email my son when I see him love and care for his sister. I send him pictures of him taking care of his dog or working with his dad. There was the time their great grandma died. I want them to know just how amazing she was. How much they loved her. And how very much she loved them. They were too little then to really remember her when they are adults.
Some emails are super long. Some are just a picture and one line. The emails serve as a dialogue that I would have with them when they are 30, and we are friends sitting on the porch with a glass of tea.
And one day, when I know they are old enough to appreciate them, I will give them the email address and password. The emails will be there, waiting for them, in date order. I hope they can read through them and laugh and enjoy every moment of entry.
More than anything, I hope it reminds them that I loved them every day of their lives. That I was present, and that I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Curvy Girl Guide Contributor, Tracey, lives in Southern California with her perfect husband and two perfect kids. When she is not busy being perfect, she works full time, raises her kids, feeds the dogs, volunteers at school, serves on the board of her little league and coaches her daughters softball team. She also is quite busy redefining the word “perfect.” And to all those girls that made fun of her in school, they can suck it.
What a wonderfully touching post! Your children are very fortunate. Even without the emails, I’m sure they will know that they are loved and cherished but what a great way to give them a glimpse of the details of their childhood that they likely will have forgotten by the time they get to read them. I love the idea! I’m passing it on to some friends with small children. Much easier than scrapbooking.
Ok I have thrice failed at scrapbooking. THIS? I can do this! Love it!
What an amazing idea. I can only imagine what this will look like when your kids are grown up.
Love this. I too stink @ scrapbooking. I didn’t even do baby books for my kids. I know. But I can email with the best of them!!
What a beautiful idea!
Awesome. Maybe I can actually do this… I can’t even keep my digital photos backed up, let alone printed or put in any kind of book. Ugh, memories are such hard work.
I love this idea, I’m totally stealing it.
Best idea ever. I always think, “I’ll remember that,” but I never do.
I LOVE this! Best idea ever! Thank you so much for sharing!
I started an account for each of my kids after seeing this gmail ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4vkVHijdQk
It’s been fun so far. That is assuming they have email in 10 years
Isn’t that commercial great, Amanda!? Obviously, I wasn’t the only person or the first to think of it, but I am so glad that I do it! <3
I do this too! For me it was about avoiding the guilt associated with those hideous baby milestones books. Though I still have moments of guilt that I don’t email ‘enough’. Off to send an email right now….
Great idea! It will also be good for writing to your teens when they don’t want to talk to you!
Just had another thought . . . instead of emails, you could create blogs for each child and make each “letter” a new entry. You can adjust the settings of the blog to be private, by invitation only. To me, it would be safer this way, rather than to risk losing emails. You can even create books from your blog posts which would create tailor-made scrapbooks, complete with pictures! Be sure to backup your blog periodically.
I love this idea – and am setting up accounts today.
What a cute idea! I use my blog for the same general purpose – chronicling my daughter’s life – but I can’t capture every little thing. This is a good way to capture the smaller moments. I’ll have to think about it.
Also? I’m terrible at scrapbooking.
This is a really, really lovely thing you’re doing for your children!
I set up email accounts for my 4 boys years ago. I’ve not been too faithful about using them but this inspired me to do it more. Thank you.
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