Her Story. — Mom, Tell Me Your Story Keepsake Journal

Start with one question over coffee.

We know our moms as moms. But before that, she was a little girl with a best friend, a teenager with a favorite song, a young woman with big plans. Most of those stories only come out if someone asks.

You don't need a big sit-down to start. If you'd like a simple first step, try this, this week:

• Make two cups of coffee or tea.
• Ask her one question. For example (our own example, not a question from the journal): "What was the house you grew up in like?"
• Write down what she says, in her words.
• Stop there.

That's the first page of her story. Her Story. gives you 80 more questions to ask.

80 gentle questions, in 10 chapters

Her Story. is a guided keepsake journal. The questions are in 10 chapters: where it all began, growing up, family roots, the teenage years, love & friendship, becoming a mom, work & passions, life lessons, just for fun, and for you, my child. She answers in her own words and her own handwriting.

Easy ways in

Favorites and This-or-That pages make it fun to start, and a "snapshot of right now" time-capsule page captures her life as it is today.

Family, recipes and photos

A family tree, two family recipe pages and three photo pages keep the family history and the dishes everyone asks for in the same book.

Words for each other

There's a page for your note as the giver, and a two-page letter from Mom to her child.

Two ways to use it

Give it to her to fill in herself. Or use it as a conversation guide: ask the questions over coffee and write her answers down for her.

A gift you can print tonight

It's an instant PDF, 58 pages, US Letter size. Print it on thicker paper and have it spiral bound at any print shop for a beautiful gift for Christmas, her birthday or Mother's Day. Print one for Mom and another for Grandma. It's yours to keep and re-download any time.

Giving more than one gift? Kind to Me. pairs well for a friend or sister. Any two guides get 25% off at checkout, no code needed. Looking for something for yourself? Find your guide with the 30-second quiz.

What's inside (58 pages, US Letter, instant PDF)

• 80 guided questions in 10 chapters: where it all began, growing up, family roots, the teenage years, love & friendship, becoming a mom, work & passions, life lessons, just for fun, and for you, my child
• A "snapshot of right now" time-capsule page
• Favorites and This-or-That pages that make it fun to start
• A family tree, two family recipe pages and three photo pages
• A page for the giver's note, and a two-page letter from Mom to her child

Who it's for

• Grown children who want Mom's stories saved in her own words and handwriting
• Anyone looking for a sentimental Christmas gift for Mom (or for her birthday or Mother's Day)
• Families who'd like the family tree and the family recipes written down in one place
• People who'd rather talk than hand over homework: it works as a conversation guide over coffee
• Anyone giving to more than one generation: print one for Mom and another for Grandma

It's probably not for you if you want a printed hardcover book shipped to your door. This is a printable PDF you print (and bind, if you like) yourself.

FAQs

Does Mom have to write in it herself?

She can, and her handwriting is part of what makes it a keepsake. It also works as a conversation guide: ask the questions over coffee and write her answers down for her.

Is it a good Christmas gift?

Christmas is one of the occasions it's made for, along with her birthday and Mother's Day. Write your note on the giver's page, print it on thicker paper and have it spiral bound at a print shop. Because it's an instant download, you can print it the same day; just allow time for binding if you want it bound. Planning the rest of the season too? Here's how to plan for Christmas early. Need more ideas for Mom? See Sentimental Christmas Gifts for Mom.

How should I print it?

It's US Letter size, so you can print it at home on standard letter paper. For a gift, print it on thicker paper and have it spiral bound at any print shop.

Can I give it to Grandma too?

Yes. Print one for Mom and another for Grandma.

Does she have to answer every question?

No one is grading it. One idea: start with the Favorites and This-or-That pages, or whichever chapter she'd enjoy most, and come back to the rest when she's ready.

How do I get it, and can I pair it with another guide?

It's an instant PDF download after checkout, and the link is also emailed to you. You can re-download it any time. Any two guides get 25% off at checkout, no code needed; Kind to Me. pairs well as a second gift for a friend or sister.