I went and found some examples to document with my tips for childhood documenting. Maybe it'll inspire you?
1. No photos: I used the witch element to tell the story of my grandma and her broom present. It's a funny, silly story, so the cute witch fits.
No photos, lots of journaling: I used a few elements, but a lot of word art to go with the scrapping theme. But the page is really focused on the journaling. This would work for many stories. Hospital stay? A few hospital elements, and the story as the main focus.
No photos, the elements again highlight the story. This is about my love for Princess Belle. I could have used a photo from the Internet, but I like the journal cards because to me, it keeps the focus on the words and doesn't become another Disney page.
2. Stand in Photo: This story is about my childhood, and traveling around by car. I learned about math, and roads, and directions as a kid. The photo was a random one I took on a road trip. It works with the story even though it was taken decades later. Road signs haven't changed much.
Stand in Photo: My story starts in high school. I don't have a photo of watching Breakfast at Tiffany's or any other movies mentioned. But the happy pink photo works to talk about pink and the journal card was the start of this story.
Stand in Photos: A two room school I went to. These photos are from the historical society. They aren't exactly what was there in 1988, but it still helps tell the story, so I used them. Old newspapers, historical societies, and other internet resources might have something you can use.
Stand in Photo: Google maps I did have an old photo of the house. But, you could totally grab an image from google maps for both. I actually told 2 different stories on this page. The one on the left is about running around the property and cross country. It connects for me, because I see the driveway in the house picture and remember those runs. But, nothing on the page would connect it for anyone else - and that's okay! It's my memory, not theirs.
This is also a google image photo: (also, I love that I left that post it note of stories I still need to tell!)
3. Reuse a photo. There is nothing wrong with reusing a photo, especially if you only have a few, but want to tell the stories. I've reused a photo of two to tell a different story. If you don't care, then do it! I don't, because my focus is the story. I'm okay with having the same photo tell a different story. Especially since it'll be different design layout, product (probably), and maybe even a different crop! I've told a few stories about my sister who died at 6 months old with one of the few photos I have of her. I don't remember her really, because I was only 2, but when my mom shares stories, I like to document them. And it's repeat a photo or use an above trick. Otherwise, it'd be a cemetery photo, and I use those for other stories.
Sorry so long! Hopefully it gives you some ideas.
