Annual History: Our daughter's mother-in-law "requires" a one-page history for each of her children and grandchildren at the end of each year. The parents write a history-overview of their year as a couple/family, plus approximately one page for each baby and toddler. Grandma Jensen then wrote one for each of her other grandchildren by interviewing him/her when each was visiting. She would ask them questions, while she was sitting at her computer, and would type their responses in their own words.
Then each year she prints them all, puts each in a plastic sheet protector, and gives them to each family to add to their loose-leaf binders. This is a terrific idea--it is not overwhelming to do one year at a time--and the memories are fresh. She captures the age, stage, and personality of each child as they develop from year to year.
The resulting histories of the little children alternate in making you laugh and cry.
Samples:
Janika - age 8
Jase - age 6 Janelle - age 1
Cottonwood 13th Ward: Our stake president's wife said she starts a journal for each of her children when they are born. She writes in the journal until the child is old enough to take over writing in it.
Another sister expanded on this idea: Have the expectant mother start the journal when she discovers she is going to have a baby------have her write her feelings of excitement, love, and joy as the pregnancy progresses.
I have given a journal as a baby-shower gift---including the above suggestions.
I have given a journal at the birth of each of our grandchildren, writing my feelings in it first. Sometimes when visiting through the years, I'll ask the grandchildren to bring their journal out and I will write a little bit in it (and help them write a bit about their current life).
Before giving the journal at the birth of each grandchild, I'll tape in the front cover a shiny new penny, nickel, dime, quarter, etc. with the year of their birth on.
Journal Idea shared:
A mother shared this idea that worked well in her family. She started a shared journal with one of her daughters. She wrote a letter to her daughter in the journal, then left it on her daughter's pillow. Her daughter then wrote back and left the journal on her mother's pillow. You don't have to write in it every night. It has been about 3 months since she last wrote in her daughter's journal (moving, working, that sort of thing that ruins time schedules). It is a good way to give a little bit of extra attention to a child who needs it, a way to express love to your child, and also a way to discuss problems. It's different than a regular journal and so should probably be done in addition to it. She said it has given her a better relationship with her daughter (age 9, the type of child for whom the quote is: "Those who seem to deserve love the least need it the most").