As a mother of a soon to be 1 year old...?

Question

I sometimes (quite often actually) get the frantic feeling that I am not documenting my son's life properly, or enough. I just all of a sudden worry that I dont have enough footage of him before he started walking, or writing down all those things that are "milestones"....he will be one year old in a few days... I can't shake the feeling. Anyone else ever feel this way?

Im only 18, I know I have a lot to learn, I see all these other mothers documenting every detail of their childs life, but I feel like I dont have the time to sit down and write all that out. I go to school full time and work part time, so every second I get with my son I dont want to waste it writing about him, I want to hug him and kiss him and play with him!!!!!!

*sigh*

Answer 1

What i did was made quick little jots on my calender and then when i had the time i went back in and filled out the baby book. its great and she loves to look at it now (shes 5 now)

Answer 2

I know how you feel, and as a mother of a 2 1/2 year old and a 14 month old, I can tell you that it's probably normal. I really don't think I can document enough, I wish I had every moment of every day to hold onto when they get older. I often look back and think, why didn't I take a picture of this or that? Or why didn't I write down the date when my child did something else? One great solution I have found is to keep an online blog. I use Yahoo 360, and it works out great because my family is all over the country and this way, they can still hear about my kids and keep up-to-date on the cute things they are saying or doing. I can always look back and remember little stories or see when they started a new skill, like putting together a peg puzzle. I only started it last July, but I wish I had done it from the beginning! Maybe this would be a good idea for you... give it a try! You can put pictures in there, too, and you can choose whether it is private or public. Good luck!

Answer 3

I feel the same way (my daughter is 17 months). I bought the memory book, but haven't updated it in a while. I also have no time, and would rather spend the time with my daughter.

This is what I have been doing. Instead of filling out the book, I send myself an e-mail that I title "Dear ____" (daughter's name), and write a letter to her- I'll write about the latest things she has been doing, and her favorite things, words she knows, etc. I figure at least I do have a record, and if I REALLY want to in the future I could use the info to fill out the baby book.

I also try to keep a camera in the same room I'm playing with her, or at least nearby. I have a digital camera that can capture video, and I find even though I have a camcorder I actually use the camera's video mode more than the camcorder (it's easier to use and smaller). Also remember to take pictures of things that are part of his daily routine- his favorite toy/stuffed animal, a picture of him in the bathtub, eating, and don't forget to take some of him with you (I always forget to do that and I have hardly any of us together!).

I think a lot of mothers go overboard with documenting everything, but if you just write down the major stuff (first words, age he cut his first tooth, walked, etc), and take at least a few pictures a month at the minimum, that should be enough. I know my mom did fill out a book for me, and I like to look back at it.

Answer 4

I feel the same way about my son. I didn't have a camera until my son was over a year old. And I have never had a baby book for him. His dr keeps the growth measruements and his weights, I don't even have copies of those, just a couple measurements on the wall. We moves in the summer so I lost a couple of those too.

I wouldn't worry about it. It is more important to spend your time with him while you can. The more time you spend with him the more memories you will have from these early years. I have been a stay at home mother since my son was born Oct 2004 and I still feel exactly like that.

Answer 5

I was 19 when my son was born, and I too felt that I didn't have enough physical things that document his younger years (he's now almost 4), but I learned that you can't document everything. Alot of the memories are in your head, and you have pictures and videos to help, but alot of it is still just the feelings you had or the baby had at certain times in his life. Those kind of things are hard to document. I have a baby book where it asks you specific questions about his younger years, and has places for foot prints, hand prints and pictures. And I have 2 full photo albums of pictures taken in the first year, and when I had them developed, I just wrote the time of year (Spring, Summer etc) and year and what was happening, and if anyone else was in the picture with him. That seemed to work, and I have lots of pictures to look at, as well as videos of special occasions (birthdays, Christmas etc)

Answer 6

I was just thinking that about my one year old. I feel like I don't take enough pictures of him, and it's been 6 mths since I even wrote in his baby book. Just jot down the important stuff before bed, and snap pics at parties, gatherings, and whatever you can do. Good for you for going to school and working. I had my first at 18 too and it's not easy.

Answer 7

Don't stress about it. I am a young mom too and find that I don't have the time to sit around with a videocamera and scrapbooking supplies. By spending time with your son you are creating memories that he will hold on to forever. They don't need to be in a book or on film. It is nice to take some pictures, just do it casually. Take him to the park and snap a few pictures of him playing, take pictures at birthdays and holidays. You don't need to have a daily record. Keep up the good work!

Answer 8

you can only do so much ! Just take as many pics as you can. i don't want to waste time writing down every little thing. when he's an adult is he really gonna care when he first sat up or got his first tooth? Think about it. Pictures speak a thousand words. Don't worry about writing down milestones. I am a single mother and I work full time. I take as many pics as I can. When i don't work my time is spent with him.

Answer 9

i know how you feel, i felt like that too. Dont worry, im sure that you have enough. i always thought that i didnt have enough of any thing, time, money, pictures, etc. now that they are older, i realize that they had the things that count. LOVE, attention, discipline, and me. When he gets older he wont care that you dont have all the pictures or videos, what he will remember is that you were there for him when he needed you the most. Just remember Love, hugs, kisses thats what he will remember. Good luck and enjoy him!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

i'm 25 i have a 2 yr old

we have no baby book and not many pictures

i cant tell you when she started walking or talking or any of that stuff

so dont feel bad it's not just you

and i agree it's a huge waste of time if it's the only time you have to spend with your child

i'd really rather experience it then write about it

Answer 11

I might not be much older than you, but I will tell you that children DO grow up quick, trust me. Just yesterday it felt like I was starting school, and now I'm almost done with school.

Take as much footage to make you happy while you still can. Before he grows all up and you begin to regret not having enough.