Who Needs a Baby Brag Book?

We all need a baby brag book. Even parents who think they don't need to brag about their children will someday find themselves pulling out a long string of photos for someone they barely know--perhaps outside a grocery store--or at the playground or the park. It could happen anywhere; but make no mistake--it will happen to you too. It is only human.

Both parents and grandparents have a long tradition of bragging about their children to anyone who will listen, and frankly, why shouldn't they? After all, it is only natural to be proud (or maybe even over-proud) of our children. Face it--at some point we have all done this (or will); it's simply part of the human condition.

Like every other parent on the planet, occasionally you will want to pull out your purse or wallet and display photos of your bundles of joy. But if you're going to show off your children anyway (and don't kid yourself--you are), you might as well make it a truly memorable experience. Creating a baby brag book is just the thing to present your children with love and pride.

Now you might be wondering, "What is a baby 'brag' book anyway?"  A baby brag book is a type of scrap book. Normally, a brag book tells a story. It could include an entire photo timeline for your newborns' first few months, beginning with the hospital ankle bracelet and progressing forward in time from there.

You can include anything and everything that will help you remember your baby's first days, so think about which items or photos have the most significance for you. You could even include poetry or a proverb to give your baby brag book a whole new dimension. What were you thinking the first time you saw your baby? Whatever comes to mind, write it down and include it in your book.

A baby brag book can serve a few different purposes. First and foremost, you can use it to share your joyful memories with others. But you can also use your brag book to create new memories, both for your baby and you. Adding photos of family members and friends holding the baby is a nice touch to make your baby brag book more enjoyable for others.

And just as with regular scrap-books, feel free to use any appropriate stickers to add a new dimension to the events captured in the photos. Call-out stickers are always funny add-ons to any scrap or baby book, for example. Adding baby's thoughts in a caption bubble will make your book lighter, with a silly side that the whole family will enjoy.

But whatever you do, avoid those plain and posed baby photos. Plain "vanilla" baby pictures have had their day and it's long gone (thankfully). Keep it light and have fun with creating your brag book. In end result will be a funny and poignant trip down memory lane as you baby grows. You'll both cherish the memories, and laugh at the silliness years from now--and after all, that is the real purpose of a baby brag book.