Email journaling — a digital diary for your child

by

I started a journal for my toddler again, this time in the form of an e-mail account. It was inspired by a Google ad I saw sometime ago. In essence it’s email journaling — e-mailing your child today so he can read your letters to him in the future when he’s grown up.

Dear Timmy, Let me tell you a little bit about myself… I’m small, about 5 feet tall. My hair falls down to my shoulders. I think my upper body strength has improved over the past 3-4 years from carrying you.

Dear Timmy, You are in my arms as I send this letter. You’ve been sick for 2 days now. Still feverish. Be strong, baby bear. I love you.

Dear Timmy, You just had your first plane ride! When the plane landed, Daddy suggested having your picture taken with the pilots. We did just that! They were very friendly. See the pic attached.

I tried the handwritten journal approach, but always end up with a half-filled notebook or worse, misplacing it. Since I’m online most of the time anyway, digital seemed the best way to go. I’ve shared the e-mail with close friends and family too so they can write to Timmy. I own the account now but will turn it over to him when he’s much, much older.

Dreamy

Childhood flies by so fast, and there isn’t enough time to tell him all the stories I have. Nothing tops storytelling face to face, but it’s also helpful to have a quick and easy way to preserve memories and pass on stories. Email journaling has been cathartic for me too. I hope Timmy enjoys reading letters from family! They may be dated but the stories they tell are priceless, timeless.

16 Comments on Email journaling — a digital diary for your child

  1. Faye
    July 1, 2013 at 11:33 am (11 years ago)

    sounds like a great idea! how did you do it? create an email account exclusively for him and send emails to it? my online diary for now is really just the blog. but i couldn’t update it as much as i can, an email journal would be more private.

    Reply
    • Toni
      July 1, 2013 at 11:45 am (11 years ago)

      Hi Faye! Yes, I created an email account exclusively for those e-mails. It’s still in essence my account, since I think there’s a Google policy that you can’t open accounts for folks under 13 years old. That’s why I’ll turn it over to him when he’s bigger.

      I like email journaling because it’s more personal. I like that he will get to read the emails on his own, meaning before anyone else could get to read it. As you said, the email journal is more private. I’m after that as well.

      Another way is to create a domain for your child, e.g. http://www.deartimmy.com, but I’m not too fond of maintaining a site. Extra effort. I’m on e-mail most of the time anyway and I enjoy writing letters, so email journaling was the best fit for me. That and I can email images and videos too!

      Let me know what you decide! Whether it’s via the blog or email, the intent is the same — sweet and thoughtful notes for our children to enjoy in the future. :)

      Reply
  2. Aimee Diego
    July 1, 2013 at 1:09 pm (11 years ago)

    Wow this is such an awesome idea! I’d love to give this a try. Thanks for sharing Toni! :-)

    Reply
    • Toni
      July 1, 2013 at 6:55 pm (11 years ago)

      You’re welcome, Aimee! Let me know how it works out for you.

      Reply
  3. Chrissy
    July 1, 2013 at 3:45 pm (11 years ago)

    I love this idea Toni! :) I’d want to try this too!

    Reply
    • Toni
      July 1, 2013 at 6:58 pm (11 years ago)

      Hi Chrissy! Super. Go, go!

      Reply
  4. Ma. Teresa Grech Quiatchon Racal
    July 1, 2013 at 3:55 pm (11 years ago)

    nice one… but with my 2 older daughters, I made them already a scrapbook, each… but my youngest wala. hehehe! most of her pics is on the usb already… but with this, I might try this with my youngest…. 😉

    Reply
    • Toni
      July 1, 2013 at 6:59 pm (11 years ago)

      Why not all of them? 😉

      Reply
  5. ceemee
    July 1, 2013 at 5:18 pm (11 years ago)

    Love this idea, Toni! Google won’t erase it somehow, right? Did you use gmail?

    Reply
    • Toni
      July 1, 2013 at 7:00 pm (11 years ago)

      I did use Gmail. I’m crossing my fingers it won’t get erased! I have records naman in my outbox if that happens. But that’s why I’m managing the account for now, checking on it once in awhile to ensure it doesn’t stay dormant. :)

      Reply
  6. Kathy Ngo
    July 1, 2013 at 6:14 pm (11 years ago)

    Wow! I have a handwritten one for B. :) I’ll give it to him when time comes.

    Reply
    • Toni
      July 5, 2013 at 10:46 am (11 years ago)

      I hope these kids appreciate what we do. 😀

      Reply
  7. Jess
    July 2, 2013 at 6:19 am (11 years ago)

    I love writing letter to my daughter! I have kept a journal while they were still in my womb and collected letters from damily as well. But I never thought of this before! This is great because now, I can also attach photos and videos! I will definitely try this! Thank u for sharing!:)

    Reply
    • Toni
      July 2, 2013 at 7:01 am (11 years ago)

      Awesome, Jess! Enjoy!

      Reply
  8. Kat
    July 3, 2013 at 6:28 pm (11 years ago)

    Thanks for sharing Ms. Toni. I’m newbie in your blog,
    I’m your fan na po :)

    I’m gonna try it now 😀
    Godbless

    Reply
    • Toni
      July 4, 2013 at 9:42 am (11 years ago)

      Hi Kat! So good to meet you. Balik ka ulit! :) Take care!

      Reply

Leave a reply to Toni Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *






CommentLuv badge