If there’s one thing motherhood has taught me, it’s that childhood somehow feels slow in the moment and yet it’s gone in the blink of an eye. One day you’re rocking a sleepy baby in the quiet hours of the night, and the next that same little one is riding a bike without training wheels or curled up with their first chapter book. The days are loud, full, and busy but they’re also slipping by quicker than we realize. And if we’re not intentional, those sweet little details can fade. That’s why I started a 5 year journal for my kids. It’s simple, it takes just a couple minutes each day, and it’s become one of my most cherished rhythms as a mom.
What is a 5 year journal?
A 5 year journal is a journal with one page dedicated to each date of the year, but with five separate sections for each year. That means you can write a short entry every day for five years, all in the same book. The beauty of this is that when you write this year’s entry, you can look back and see exactly what was happening on that same day in previous years.
Why a 5 year journal is perfect for parents
Keeping a 5 year journal for your children isn’t just about recording memories. It’s about preserving their story in a way that’s easy and meaningful.
Here’s why I love it:
- It’s Quick and Doable: You don’t need to write a whole page, just a sentence or two.
- It Captures the Everyday Moments: Not just the milestones, but the funny sayings, the sweet prayers, the messy moments you’ll want to remember.
- It Connects the Years: Reading back over previous entries reminds you how much your child has grown.
- It Becomes a Gift: Imagine handing your child this journal when they graduate, get married, or become a parent themselves.
How to start your own 5 year journal
- Choose Your Journal: You can buy a pre-formatted 5 year journal or make your own with a simple notebook (mine is from Sterling Ink).
- Pick a Time of Day: I like to write mine at night, after the kids are asleep, so I can reflect on the day (or last few days if I need to catch up).
- Keep It Simple: Write down one thing you want to remember: a question they asked, something they did, or even a prayer you prayed for them or a Bible verse.
- Make It Part of Your Routine: Keep the journal in a place where you’ll see it daily, like your nightstand or kitchen counter.
Why it matters in the long run
As moms, we hold so many of our family’s stories in our hearts. Life on the mission field or wherever God has planted you is full of moments you’ll never live again. Some are sweet, some are stretching, but all are threaded with God’s faithfulness. Keeping a 5-year journal has been a simple way for me to hold onto those memories, to slow down and see His hand in our days, and to create something my children can treasure long after I’m gone.
So tonight, grab a notebook, date the top of the page, and write down one little thing about your child. Do it again tomorrow. And in five years, you’ll have a treasure, one line at a time.
Let’s chat!