[Giving Up Easily] How I, a Failed Parenting Diarist, Keep Up with 'One-Line Memos'
To all the new moms who are about to welcome a baby and are thinking, "I'm going to keep a parenting diary."
Or to all the moms out there who bought a cute diary but gave up after three days.
(That's me!)
You want to record those irreplaceable moments, don't you?
Those cute cheeks that look like they might drop at any moment.
The day they rolled over for the first time while I looked away for a second.
That day when the separation anxiety was so bad I hid in the kitchen and cried.
The time they told me, "I love you, Mommy."
Photos and videos just get buried in your camera roll.
That's exactly why you think it would be nice to leave something behind in writing, right?
That's why, as a lazy person myself, I want to wholeheartedly recommend the "One-Line Memo."
"Diary time" is impossible
Trying to carve out "diary time" every day in the midst of a hectic life?
No way, no way, no way.
My husband says, "Isn't it fine if you just write in it occasionally?" but it feels a bit sad to see all those blank spaces in the diary I went to the trouble of buying.
In the end, I feel a little down that I couldn't write in it every day.
Plus, if you aren't used to keeping a diary, don't you feel like you have to write something lovely and heartwarming, like, "Went to see △△ with 〇〇-chan today, and they looked so happy. Let's go again!"?
If I'm not careful, I'll just end up writing "Went to the support center" every single day. Haha.
With a "One-Line Memo," quick and simple is fine
My memos are honestly like this. (Partial excerpt)
Subjects and predicates don't matter.
[2023]
9/23 Neck supported?
9/30 Night feedings 5 times (rolling eyes)
12/11 Seems to like pumpkin
[2024]
4/28 First tulips
6/8 Smash cake all over their body
11/13 High-speed crawling after 8 months of experience
[2025]
4/7 Dressed up for entrance ceremony
9/15 Chased by sheep at the zoo
12/12 Can't sleep without holding Mommy's hand
It's just a single line, but I can clearly recall the scene of that day.
Memories I thought I would never forget are naturally brought back to the surface when I reread these "One-Line Memos."
It's just one line. But it's a significant one.
The benefits of one-line memos
You don't have to do it every day
Because you write it compactly, gaps don't stand out
You don't have to worry about how to start
It's easy to look back on
Your true feelings for the day remain exactly as they were
You can use your favorite notebook or a memo app on your smartphone.
Even if you can't 'record things meticulously,' the greatest advantage of being 'easy to continue' will be on your side.
It's not too late to start today
For moms who think, 'They're already 1 or 2 years old...', it's perfectly fine to start today. It's never too late.
When you are together all the time, it can feel like every day is just a repetition. But a year from now, you will surely see their growth.
Even if it's not perfect, and even if you don't summarize it neatly, your words from today will surely create happiness in the future.
Why not just quickly jot down today's entry?
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Thank you for reading!
As a former healthcare professional turned stay-at-home mom, I write about caregiving, parenting, and the complicated aspects of life.
I cover everything from serious topics to a bit of lighthearted fun, so if there is a theme that interests you, please take a look at my other articles.