Write your baby story
using a storymap
This story map will help guide you as you write your baby story. By combining stories and photos of your baby you will create a valuable treasure that can be shared for many years to come.
What is a story map?
Each scrapbook page is an entity in its own right, but put a number of them together and as you flip through the pages of your album you can see the "big picture".
In order to tell your story effectively you need to plan first and this is where a story map can help. It will help you to keep to a theme, not to meander off course. You can use a variety of graphic organisers to plot out the pages you wish to include in a visual manner or just set them down in an outline. The choice is yours. Let's look at how to do this in more detail...
How to create a story map
The following simple steps will help you create the map for your story.- Print out this page so that you can answer the questions below in your own time. Some of them may require a little research. Enter the answers into your own story map.
- Next look back at your answers. Do you have photos that illustrate each part of the story? Collect them all together, along with any memorabilia such as the baby's hospital name band or a copy of their birth certificate.
If your photos need scanning into your computer, now is the time to do this. They may also need some restoration or color correction if they were taken some time ago. If you will be doing traditional scrapbooking then you will then need to print your photos.
Now it is time to put each page of your baby story together. Choose your background paper or papers, arrange your photos on top and add journaling to tell this part of the story, Add extra embellishments to create an attractive page, and when complete, slip it into its rightful place in your album.
Suggested baby story map pages to include
Theme: Family History
Here is your chance to give some background information about the baby's family, and the mom and dad's romance.
- How and when did the baby's parents meet and fall in love?
- Where did the family live when the baby was born?
- How many children were in the family before the baby was born?
- What do the baby's parents do for a living?
- How do they spend their spare time?
- Are there any funny stories in the baby's family?
Baby Story Theme: More About Family Life
Now write about family life before news of the baby came.
- What do the baby's parents like to do as a couple?
- What was the family life like before baby made an appearance?
- What goals did the family have at this time?
- Does the family have special reunions or other get-togethers?
- What are the names of grandparents and other relatives?
- What do the baby's siblings or cousins like to do for fun?
Baby Story Theme: The Baby is Coming
Describe how everyone found out about the baby.
- When did the parents find out they were expecting?
- Who did the parents tell first?
- How did siblings and relatives react to the news?
- Are there any funny stories or thoughts related to the announcement?
- What plans were made for the baby's arrival?
Baby Story Theme: The Excitement of expecting
Here you may showcase the joys and wonder of expecting a baby.
- Did the mother have any interesting food cravings?
- What were the reactions to the ultrasound scan?
- When did the baby first move in the mother's tummy?
- Did the mother work during the pregnancy?
- Did the parents have any expectations for the baby?
Baby story Theme: Friends and Family
This is a great place to express gratitude for those who helped prepare for the baby.
- Who helped prepare for the baby's arrival?
- Did friends or relatives throw the mother a baby shower?
- What gifts did the mother receive in celebration of the baby?
- What names did the parents have in mind for the baby?
- Is the baby going to be named after anyone special?
- Were there any predictions made about the baby?
Baby Story Theme: Baby Arrives
Describe the anticipation and excitement of delivery.
- What began to happen when the mother went into labor?
- What happened during the delivery?
- Who was there for the delivery?
- Where and when was the baby born?
- What type of birth was it? Were there any complications?
- What were the parents' first thoughts and words after the birth
Baby Story Theme: Vital Statistics
Here the story shifts to the baby!
- What was the weight and height of the baby?
- What comments did people make about the baby?
- Who did the baby look like?
- What color was baby's hair/eyes at birth?
- Who gave the baby his or her first bath?
- What was the name of the midwife who delivered the baby?
- What was the name of the baby's doctor?
- Was the baby born at home or in hospital?
Baby Story Theme: Baby's First Day
Preserve your memories of baby's first day on this page.
- How long did mother and baby stay in hospital?
- How did the father and any siblings survive without mom around?
- How did the newborn react to his or her parents?
- Are there any funny stories about the baby's first day?
- How was the mom's recovery?
- What outfit did the baby wear on that first day?
Baby Story Theme: Good Wishes and Visitors
Here you might want to highlight special visitors who came to see the baby.
- Who came to visit the baby?
- Will the baby have godparents? If so, who are they?
- What reactions did visitors have to the baby?
- Were they any special or important phone calls?
- Were there any surprise visitors?
- What special messages were sent for the mother and new baby?
Baby Story Theme: Finally Home
Document baby's homecoming and other exciting events.
- What did the baby wear home from the hospital?
- Did the baby share a room with anyone?
- How did the siblings,if any, react to the new baby being home?
- Where did the baby sleep on his or her first night home?
- How did the family's life change with the new baby?
Summary
With the answers to the questions above, and photographs and memorabilia at hand, you can create your own special baby story.
Have fun!
