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Have you started your grandma journal yet?
I’ll be honest—making one didn’t even cross my mind until recently. I haven’t kept a journal since I was a kid with my little diary! But now that I’ve started one, I love it. I write down special notes, thoughts, and little stories about my life.
One day, I hope to give it to my grandkids so they can learn more about me. There are lots of fun and simple ways to keep a journal.
I hope these next few ideas will inspire you to start your own!
What is a grandma journal?
A grandma journal is a special book that you write in to one day give to your grandkids. You can fill it with letters, notes, and stories about your life. You can also use writing prompts to help you share fun memories or important lessons.
It doesn’t matter if you write in it every day or just once in a while. A grandma journal is a sweet and meaningful way to share your heart and stay connected with your grandchild.
Why start a grandma journal?
I want to answer questions my grandkids ask me—and add new ones as I think of them.
One day, they’ll be able to read it whenever they want. I hope it helps them feel close to me, even when I’m no longer here. I hope it becomes something they treasure and turn to whenever they miss me.
Some people choose to record videos or make digital journals. But for me, writing with a pen feels just right. Sitting. Thinking. And writing.
How to make your own grandma journal
Your grandma journal can be anything you like—a simple spiral notebook or a fancy leather-bound book. It’s completely up to you!
Use a blank-page journal like this one. Blank journals don’t have set sections, so you get to decide how to organize everything.
You can use the pages any way you want, which gives you the freedom to be creative and make it your own.
You can also try a pre-formatted journal like these ones.
This special kind of journal makes it easy and fun to write about your life as a grandma. It has helpful writing prompts and sections for different topics, so you don’t have to think of everything on your own. If you like having a little guidance and structure, this might be the perfect choice for you!
Once you have your journal, it’s time to start writing. You can begin by sharing a little bit about yourself and why you’re making this journal.
Write about your childhood memories, fun times with your grandkids, or special advice you want to pass down. The best part is that there are no rules. This journal is your own blank page, ready for anything that’s on your heart.
Prompts for your grandma journal
Need a little help getting started?
Here are some fun and thoughtful prompts to help you put pen to paper and begin writing in your grandma journal:
About you
- When were you born and what was life like?
- What did you do for fun when you were a kid?
- Who was your best friend when you were a kid?
- What did you do for fun in high school?
- What was your favorite food when you were a kid?
- What did you want to be when you grew up? What did you end up doing?
- What is your favorite thing that you’ve done in your life?
- What were your great grandparents like? What did you love to do with them?
- What’s something that you didn’t do that you wish you had?
- What’s something that you did that you wished you hadn’t?
- One piece of advice that you’d want to give them.
- What made you the happiest?
- What made you the saddest?
About your kids (their mom/dad)
- What did they like to play when they were kids?
- Did they fight?
- Tell me about a time when my mom/dad got in trouble. What did they do?
- What were there like as babies? Toddlers? Teenagers?
- What did you like best about being a mom?
- What was their favorite food?
About your grandkids
- Tell them about when they were born.
- Tell them your favorite memories of them growing up.
- What songs did you sing to them?
- What is your favorite memory of us together?
- Share with them your favorite recipe
- How did you find out that you were going to be a grandma? How did you feel?
As I write these things down, my eyes start to fill with tears.
Not because I’m sad—but because thinking about these questions helps me see how full and beautiful my life has been. And I know it’s important to share these memories with my grandchildren.
More specific grandma journal prompts
These prompts will guide you through different stages of your grandchild’s life, from the day they were born to the sweet (and sometimes silly) moments you’ll share together. Each one is a chance to write from your heart and create memories they’ll treasure forever.
The Birth Details
Start by introducing your new grandbaby! Write down details like the time and date of birth, weight, height, and hair color (if they had any).
Was anything special or unexpected about the birth? How did you feel when you found out your grandchild had arrived?
Are you still getting used to the idea of being a grandma?
The First Meeting
Describe how you felt when you met and held your grandbaby for the very first time. Where were you? What day was it? What happened during that special moment?
The First Weeks
As the first weeks go by, write about your visits, any special moments, and new things your grandbaby does.
Did you buy anything for them? What did you pick out?
The First Birthday
The first birthday is a big deal! Write about the party—who was there, what the theme was, the presents, and the snacks.
This is also a great time to start a birthday tradition just for you and your grandchild.
As We Grow
As your grandchild grows, your journal will fill up with wonderful memories.
Write about when they first crawled, took their first steps, or said their first words.
What did you do to child-proof your home? What were your thoughts and feelings as you watched them grow?
Visits and Trips
Write about your first visits together and any fun trips you’ve taken.
As your grandchild grows from a baby to a teen, your stories, thoughts, and memories will become even more meaningful.
Quotes
Kids say the funniest things! Keep track of their first words, the first time they called you “Grandma,” and any silly or sweet things they say.
Advice
Write a letter to your grandchild.
You can write before they’re born, while they’re growing up, or during special times in their life.
Share your feelings, what you hope for them, and any life lessons or advice you want to pass on.
Memorable Events
Use this space to write about special moments like baptisms, birthdays, holidays, family reunions, or their first car ride.
Include your favorite family traditions and anything you want them to remember about your family’s story.
Other ways to keep a grandma journal
We’ve talked about using a regular notebook to write down your memories. But did you know there are other fun ways to keep a grandma journal, too? You can use your computer or tablet!
One simple way is to open a blank page in Microsoft Word and start typing. Or you can try an online journaling site, like Digital Journaling, where everything is saved in one easy-to-find (and easy-to-share) place.
Another great option is a program called Storyworth. It sends you a question every day by email. You answer the question, and after a year, they turn all your answers into a beautiful book. It’s a special keepsake your family will love for many years.
Do you already keep a grandma journal? If not, maybe now is the perfect time to start! I really think it’s worth it. Writing down these sweet memories is like taking a little trip back in time—and I know my grandkids will enjoy reading them when they’re older.
So what are you waiting for? Go ahead—start writing today!
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