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The little things
worth a line.

50 starting points for a childhood memory journal. Pick the one that feels like your day. A single sentence is enough.

You don't need to write a lot. A single honest sentence — "she called every bird a tiny airplane" — will mean more to you in five years than a paragraph written out of obligation. Pick any prompt below, write one line, and get back to your day.

The little firsts

1. The first time they reached for you across the room.
2. Their first real belly laugh — and what caused it.
3. The first food they loved (and the first they spat right back out).
4. First word, or the sound they use instead of a word.
5. The first time they slept through the night (and how you felt).
6. First steps, first wave, first "no."
7. The first time they tried to help you with something.
8. A new sound they practised over and over.
9. The first game they understood how to play.
10. The first time they said someone’s name.

Funny things they said and did

11. A word they say wrong — write it exactly how they say it. You'll want it later.
12. The name they invented for something ordinary.
13. A tiny act of stubbornness (the blue cup and only the blue cup).
14. Something they did that made a stranger smile.
15. A "conversation" you had that made no sense but felt like everything.
16. Something they thought an everyday object was called.
17. A question you had no idea how to answer.
18. Their explanation for how something works.
19. An outfit they chose all by themselves.
20. The voice they use when talking to a toy.

The ordinary Tuesday

These are the ones that blur fastest — and the ones you'll treasure most.

21. What they were obsessed with this week.
22. How they fell asleep tonight.
23. A small thing they did that felt so them.
24. The song, book, or show on repeat right now.
25. Where they wanted to be carried, and where they wanted to run.
26. A smell, a sound, or a light in the room you want to remember.
27. What breakfast looked like this morning.
28. The thing they always notice on your usual walk.
29. A little ritual you do before leaving the house.
30. What they carried around with them all day.

Milestones and growing up

31. How old they are today, in your own words ("14 months and fearless").
32. Something new their body can do this month.
33. A fear they had — and the moment they got a little braver.
34. Who they're becoming: kind, funny, serious, wild.
35. A habit you hope they never lose.
36. Something they wanted to do without your help.
37. A new friend they mentioned.
38. A favourite thing that has quietly changed.
39. A moment they showed someone else kindness.
40. What they said they want to be when they grow up.

The feelings (yours, too)

41. What you love most about this exact age.
42. A hard day, honestly — and the small thing that got you through it.
43. Something you want them to know when they're older.
44. A moment you thought, "I never want to forget this."
45. What you hope they'll say about their childhood one day.
46. Something they did that surprised you.
47. A moment when you saw yourself in them.
48. A moment that reminded you of someone you love.
49. What made both of you laugh today.
50. A small thing you learned from them.

A few tips

Write it the way they said it. Their own words are part of the memory. Add a photo if you want. A line can stand on its own too. Come back whenever you like. You can save an older memory with its original date or start with today. There is no catching up required.