Product Review: School Years Memory Keeper [Hardcover-spiral] (preschool+)
A place to keep your child’s memories
My mom is a top notch record keeper. I suspect some of her habits may stem from being a former Family Services caseworker, but some of her collections of information have to be ingrained in her inner being (Me mummer? I know you read my blog. Let’s remember the next time we talk to discuss your note taking background, okay? I am interested!). I used to joke with friends that I was destined for greatness or notoriety since I was so well documented. We are talking pre-interwebs here so you young ones bear with me. My mom even made her own daily calendars with scrap paper, a ruler and pen to make perfect little boxes that she filled in on all of our activities, or lack thereof – Daily. Yes, folks, that is commitment.
So what does all this record keeping on my life do for me as an adult? For one, it gives me insight into my childhood. It tells me that in 1986, my notoriously loner child self had a sleepover with my neighbor, Amanda. It tells me that I was one of the worst players on the worst tee ball team in our village, the Reds, which was sponsored by our local beer and wine carryout. {Side note: That mattered little to me because Bradley was on my team and he was really silly and cute.} It told of my difficulties moving to a new school in fourth grade and hating my teacher who pushed me into being in a school play as one of the lead characters. It mostly shows me that my mom cared enough to make these records for me.
My favorite item of my past historical documents is my School Days memory book. My mom has it all filled out; each student’s name cross referenced with the class picture, a complete assessment of the teacher and filled in interview questions by my reporter mom about my future careers that go from sweet (a momma as a kindergartener) to sassy (a bum as a high school freshman). I could never be as organized or fanatical a recorder as my mom, but I knew I wanted to do a School Years memory book for Brooke as she goes through school. It had to be a hardcover and non-electronic record. I don’t mean to sound dated, but I am very old school about information. My great-grandmother kept money in her mattress to have when the banks failed and I keep my important documents on paper for when the internet crashes. However, I used my internet to search for this type of memory book and after much research I stumbled across the School Years Memory Keeper for Brooke.
School Years Memory Keeper had all of my very specific items I wanted for a school memory book for Brooke that included:
- Encompasses all school years from preschool to 12th grade. The fact that they make school memory books that only go up to 6th grade is strange to me.
- Includes lots and lots of pockets for keepsake items like artwork and report cards. This one offers 24 pockets.
- Has fill in story prompts and questions for both the parent and the child to fill out.
- Offers many picture placement opportunities for individual student, full class and random pictures of the child throughout the school year.
- Gender specific. I wanted her to have a memory book you could see was for a girl.
My specifications may or may not fit your child and you may have to do your own research to find a school memory book that works for your specifications. School memory books should reflect what important information you want to capture on top of your level of commitment in completing a book until high school graduation. Some books offer fill in sheets with almost little to no writing and others are more like scrapbooks where you are responsible for the entire vision and end results of the book. I chose the School Years Memory Keeper because it was a happy medium to me on my commitment. Please note that this particular memory book is in soft pinks and pastels. There are plenty of great non-girly school memory books out there to fit your needs. Pocketful of Memories: School Memories by the same author is one that comes to mind that is non-specific in gender.
No matter which book you choose the caring and commitment you put into the record of your child’s schools years will be appreciated. I know I am so glad that my mom did a School Memory book for me and I know that my daughter will appreciate the same when she is my age. Perhaps our well written life stories will serve as great time capsules to the future Momma’s Bacons of my family.
Check out the Publications International (PIL) online Bookstore: This bookstore offers an interactive science library, All Ages Brain Game books, Kid’s Learning library and the fun Look and Find Books. I know I have been eyeing the Watch Me Grow Deluxe Scrapbooking Kit by Eric Carle.
School Years Memory Keeper [Hardcover-spiral]
List Price: $14.98
Momma's Bacon 