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What better way to commemorate your child's life than to write thoughtful notes each year in a birthday card. On his actual birthday he may be more engrossed in the gift than the attached card, but perserverance in the tradition of marking the passing of years with written notes will garner wonderful mementos your child will treasure long after he has outgrown or used up the birthday gift.

Here are some suggestions for appropriate content in the notes for the different stages your child will go through:

* Toddler years

Your note in your child's birthday card might include mention of what gift he received, the theme of his party and who was invited. You might also want to recap your child's accomplishments during the previous year. For example, you could state how proud you are that he became potty trained, or how impressed you were when he gave up his "blankie."

* Primary Grades

The tone of your note will again voice pride in your child's achievements. You might reminisce in writing about how many times the tooth fairy visited that year, or how many inches taller he grew since the previous birthday. It will be fun for your child to read your notes when he is older. He will be able to actually piece together a small history of his formative years.

* Junior High

Your notes in these cards might make note of his independence and blossoming work ethic. His successes and accomplishments again should be noted with comments about your pleasure with his maturity and talents. Reiterate any awards or special recognition he may have received.

* High School

Incorporated into these birthday cards can be acknowledgment of your teenager's ability to be his own person and not allow peer pressure to dictate his behavior. Again, lavish praise for his maturity and ever increasing good judgment.

* College

These messages will stress pride once again and also include commentary about how much he is missed on the home front and all the reasons why. Respect for his burgeoning independence will be entwined in these notes.

In all the stages of your child's various birthdays, in additon to the above suggestions, obviously you will be including messages of unconditional love and never ending pride.

Early on you can provide your child with a "memory box" where he can store the cards from you as well as cards received from friends and extended family. You will discover over the years there will be many milestones which will create impetus for reading his birthday messages over and over. Most of the time

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