How to Use This Book This book was designed for parent(s) to record the facts, details, and experiences of (and hopes for) a new baby's life. Here are some tips for how to get the most out of your time with this book: 1. Get started before baby arrives! Try to begin as soon as you have this book in your hands. Go through the whole book in advance of baby's arrival and fill in what you can; you know you will be busy soon. Keep this journal somewhere accessible to complete a prompt or two whenever you see it. 2. This book is intended to be used by families of all kinds. We have used the pronoun "we" to refer to baby's parent or parents.
If baby has one parent, you can put additional photos on the second parent page or fill in the information with a godparent or close friend who has a role in baby's life. 3. If there are fewer siblings than the space allows, use the extra pages to include more photos. You might have pets instead of other children, or other people close to you, so feel free to use the sibling pages to honor those important relationships too. 4. Set calendar reminders ahead of time for the down-the-road prompts, letters from others, and annual birthday check-ins. 5. Skip questions if they are holding you up.
You do not have to fill out all of the prompts! They are here to inspire, not to slow you down. If you are not ready, skip it; if it isn't pertinent, let it go. 6. Allow yourself to take several passes at each section. You might find it helpful to jump around and answer just a few prompts or questions from each section in one sitting and return another day to fill out others that speak to you. You can also ask others close to baby to help contribute as well. 7. Use the "More to Know" pages after each section to write more, add your own prompts or important information, or paste in family photos.
8. Use the Family Tree to collect information that is important to you about each family member. You could note the date of their birth or death or the location of their birth. 9. Revisit and add to this journal over months and years.