| If there is one story my kids love to hear | | | | detail as you can. |
| again and again, it is the story of their | | | | |
| birth. But they are interested in more than | | | | What are your memories of your spouse or |
| the birth statistics. They want to know how I | | | | partner? What feelings washed over you when |
| felt. They want to know how much their new | | | | you were together with the baby for the first |
| presence in the world meant to me. | | | | time? |
| | | | |
| The most meaningful baby albums, scrapbooks, | | | | Were there any feelings of fear? If so, what |
| and journals go beyond the details of | | | | were you frightened of? |
| birthweight and time of day to capture the | | | | |
| true emotion behind the birth. | | | | What advice would you now have for mothers to |
| | | | be? |
| Here are some questions to help you remember | | | | |
| the details, whether it was yesterday or | | | | Reflect on how you told distant family |
| years ago. | | | | members about the birth. |
| | | | |
| When responding to each of these journaling | | | | Recall how you felt upon seeing the other |
| prompts, do not do so directly on the pages | | | | members of your family. In what special way |
| of your scrapbook. Write the answers in a | | | | did they each bond with the baby? |
| journal or even a piece of scrap paper first, | | | | |
| and make sure to keep your pen moving across | | | | Describe the tiny hands and feet of your |
| the page. If you get stuck, write "I | | | | baby. |
| remember" and then write the first thing that | | | | |
| comes to mind. | | | | Which baby gifts were particularly |
| | | | meaningful? Why? |
| Try not to think too hard about what you are | | | | |
| writing. Just try to just keep that pen | | | | How did your pets respond to the new baby? |
| moving, and do not cross out anything. You | | | | |
| will edit your journaling later and choose | | | | What was the first song you sang to your |
| which details to include on your scrapbook | | | | baby? |
| pages. The most powerful words and emotions | | | | |
| often are not the first to flow from your | | | | Tell the story of bringing the baby home from |
| mind. | | | | the hospital. What was the first thing you |
| | | | remember doing? |
| Sit with these questions and journal your way | | | | |
| to poignant memories and the most sentimental | | | | Do you remember when you were first all alone |
| of scrapbooks. | | | | with your new baby, in your home? Describe |
| | | | how you felt. |
| What do you remember about your surroundings | | | | |
| at the time of the birth? What was the | | | | What values do you most wish to pass on to |
| temperature like? The lighting? Detail the | | | | your new baby? |
| sights and sounds. What small, specific | | | | |
| details can you recall that really bring the | | | | What dreams do you have for him or her? |
| memories home? For me, it was the cherry | | | | |
| Popsicle the nurse wanted me to eat and the | | | | What traditions would you like to instill, to |
| coffee my husband was drinking, the smell of | | | | mark the occasion of this birth each year? |
| which made me so nauseous that my nurse made | | | | Maybe you will write your child a heartfelt |
| him take it a trashcan clear down the | | | | letter each year on this day, or take a photo |
| hallway. What was it for you? | | | | of your child wearing the same outfit. A |
| | | | daughter may wear your wedding dress; a son |
| What about the process of childbirth did you | | | | may wear the high school letter jacket of his |
| find surprising? (I know, the answer is | | | | father. |
| "everything!" but try to find some | | | | |
| specifics). You will notice that the more | | | | In what way are you proud of yourself, as a |
| specific the memories you recall, the more | | | | new mother? |
| poignant they will be to those who shared the | | | | |
| experience with you. | | | | How did the instance of becoming a mother |
| | | | change you? How did your worldview change |
| Describe the feeling when your baby was first | | | | upon becoming a mother? |
| placed in your arms. Think about the | | | | |
| experience in terms of a snapshot. Imagine | | | | How did your relationship with your own |
| someone had taken a photo, just then. | | | | mother change? Was there a shift in |
| Describe the photo. What one or two details | | | | perspective? |
| most stick in your mind about the experience? | | | | |
| | | | Using the above questions as a guide, try to |
| Who were your first visitors? | | | | open up and go beyond the surface of the |
| | | | moment. Writing about the birth experience |
| What was your first meal after childbirth? | | | | will help you tap the true bliss of this |
| | | | birth. For many of us, this is the most life |
| What was it like to feed your baby for the | | | | changing moment that we will undergo. Make it |
| first time? Make a mental snapshot of those | | | | last for generations. |
| first feedings and describe it in as much | | | | |