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Attention Moms and Dads! Here’s a sweet little tradition to start with your school-aged kids. Fair warning – it will take you about 18 years to complete. Keep reading along or watch this quick video tutorial for more details – I promise it will be worth it!

What To Do:

1. Choose your favorite children’s book. Go with something that has an inspirational and encouraging message that they’ll appreciate when they get older. I absolutely love Joanna Gaine’s, The World Needs Who You Were Made To Be. If you recall, we also used this book as party favors for Aanik’s first birthday. [link to 1^st birthday post]. The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Martin, is another great choice and I’ve linked more options here.
2. Include a letter that explains the book tradition and what the teacher is supposed to do. Attach the letter to the front cover or slip it inside the beginning of the book. You can also download a copy of my free letter printable!
3. At the end of each school year, hand a copy of the book plus letter to your child’s teacher for them to sign with a note, inspirational message, or favorite memory. They can sign directly in the book on any of the pages.
4. The idea is that by the time your child graduates from high school, they will have notes from all their teachers throughout the years in one book. Fast forward 18 years or so and you have the best personalized high school graduation gift that is sure to bring on some happy tears!

A Few Tips and Suggestions:

• Be mindful that the end of the school year is a busy time for teachers. Giving them the book at least 3-4 weeks before the final week of school allows them some extra time to finish this favor! You can even give it to them as early as Spring Break if you’d like.
• Include a small token of appreciation for teachers such as a $5 gift card for coffee or to Target. Not a must, but definitely a plus.
• Keep the book in a special bag or large envelope that you can store safely somewhere over the years. A canvas tote or padded mailer envelope would also work well.
• If your child has multiple teachers, select one or two that they tend to talk about most or seem to be their favorite.

You can find more pictures and details on my Pinterest and saved to my Instagram highlights!