How to Create Matching Scrapbooks for Your Child and You

When children leave the nest or start their own families, they often want to take their baby books or childhood scrapbooks with them. Plan for this eventuality by creating scrapbooks for both parents and children so that your memories don't leave with your child.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Duplicate photos
• Color copies
• Two scrapbooks
• Acid free scrapbook supplies
• Baby book

1. Recognize that your child will enjoy and appreciate the scrapbooks you make of his or her childhood. It's likely that when the child moves out or starts a family, he or she will want to keep the scrapbooks.
2. Plan for this by creating two sets of scrapbooks. They need not be identical, but make them similar enough that you won't mind letting go of one.
3. Start this process from the very beginning with your child's baby book. If your child is no longer a baby, you could have the baby book you've made color copied.
4. Take two shots of moments you want to preserve, or make duplicates of photos you want to use in a scrapbook. Place one in each book.
5. Make color copies of other items you want to include in the scrapbooks, such as a card the child made for you.
6. Cut a little extra hair if you want to include a lock of hair in each book.
7. Customize the scrapbooks a bit. In the child's, use words like "you" and "yours." Make different covers for the books if you like.
8. Write down some of your memories in the child's book. You might remember the events of the child's first day of school, but he or she doesn't.
9. Label the scrapbooks with dates. You could also number them. Make sure both your books and the child's have matching volumes. This way, when the child is older and has moved away, you can look at the scrapbooks together over the phone and know that you have the same one in front of you.
10. Consider keeping a duplicate set as a secret. Present the books to the child when he or she moves out or marries.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to use only acid-free scrapbook supplies so that your photographs won't deteriorate.