When something concerning happens — a missed exchange, a conflict in front of your child, a worrying statement — what you write down in the next few hours can matter months later. Here's a simple method you can use every time.
Date, time, location, who was present. Do this the same day if at all possible — records made close to the event are far more credible than ones reconstructed later.
Write what you saw and heard in plain language. Quote exact words when you remember them. Compare:
Observable changes only: "Maya didn't speak on the drive home and asked to sleep in my room." Not: "Maya is traumatized." Judges and evaluators trust parents who observe carefully and don't diagnose.
Photos, screenshots, voicemails, witness names and contact info. Keep originals unaltered — see organizing evidence safely for how to preserve metadata and share clean copies.
Keep entries somewhere that timestamps them and shows they haven't been edited afterward. A paper journal works. A system with tamper-evident records works better.
HERESAI gives you a structured incident tracker with timestamps, evidence attachments, child-impact notes, and court-ready reports.
Start your case file — freeHERESAI is an organizational and educational tool. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney or legal aid organization.