1986
Writing It Down for Mom
February 1986


“Writing It Down for Mom,” Ensign, Feb. 1986, 71

Writing It Down for Mom

Within our first year of marriage we were blessed with a baby. My husband had two years of university work left before he could become a pharmacist. In order to have enough money for him to stay in school, we decided I would work as long as possible, quit long enough to have the baby, and then go back to work until he finished his education. I remember the feeling I had handing my newborn baby to a babysitter when I went back to work. I cried going to work that day and had to fight back tears many other times. I prayed earnestly that the lady who watched her would give her the love, tenderness, and attention babies need. I also remember being very curious about what she was doing all day.

One year later, I was able to quit working. That was fourteen years ago, and to this day I feel bad about missing out on so much of my baby’s first year. When I remember how awful it was, I feel determined to help others who are in the same situation.

I tend children in my home. To help their mothers, I keep a daily journal for each child I tend and periodically give it to the mother to read. When the journal is full, I give it to her to keep. While this will never take the place of a mother’s journal, it helps. I write in it what the child did to occupy his time, cute things he said, the first word I heard the baby say, his physical progression, etc. This way, mom doesn’t miss out on quite so much. It also gives a written account for mom, dad, and kids to read years later.

It has been good for me as well, because, although I was a firm believer in writing in journals daily, I wrote in mine only every four or five days. Now, because of the commitment I have made to someone else, I also write in my own journal every day, so I won’t forget what my own six children are doing. Terrie Colleen Card, American Fork, Utah

Illustrated by Carol Stevens