The Experience Sampling Method (ESM) offers unique insights into the dynamic, real-time experiences of individuals within their natural environments. This paper presents a literature review of ESM applications in family contexts, with a particular focus on the use of mobile diary apps for data collection. Families, with their fluctuating routines, emotions, and relationships, present a suitable, yet challenging setting for ESM studies. We analyzed 19 ESM studies in family contexts, identifying key success factors and common obstacles in study design, execution, and evaluation. To enrich our findings, we conducted two expert interviews with researchers experienced in ESM, uncovering best practices related to participant engagement, data privacy, and technological considerations. Based on this combined analysis, we propose recommendations for future ESM studies in family settings, emphasizing the importance of adaptive questionnaire design and compliance strategies, for example. This work highlights the potential of mobile ESM tools to improve the ecological validity of family research while addressing challenges such as participant burden and data protection.