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What do you get when you take two young children, a bunch of creative
teachers, eleven combined years of elementary school, and a sentimental mom
who is also a "pack rat"? To put it simply, way too many saved school
projects and crafts taking up precious space and causing clutter!!
I faced this dilemma first-hand when it came time for us to pack and move
into our first home a month ago. I could not believe the amount of
miscellaneous useless stuff of all varieties that we had accumulated over
the past few years, but the biggest eye-opener was seeing all the schoolwork
that I had saved.
That's when I promised myself that I would change my policies on keeping
these adorable creations. Here are my new rules...
- If it's adorable to look at, it gets a week on the bulletin board or the
fridge.
- If it's touching to read, it can stay on the coffee table for a week for
family and friends to read and enjoy.
- If it was created on the computer, then I don't need to keep a hard copy
of it, because it can be re-printed at any time if I really wanted to.
- If my child is really attached to it, they can have it for one week to
display in their own rooms.
- If it doesn't qualify for the one-week reprieve, it goes in the garbage
can after we admire it together. (If child is younger than 10, this part can
& should wait until after bedtime to avoid pleading eyes and tears!)
- When the one-week reprieve is up, I might do any of the following, as long
as the item moves on to another location outside my home:
- - Take a digital picture of it to look at for years to come.
- - Take a regular photo and use photos to create a scrapbook of memories of
school projects.
- - Send it to a family member who lives far away and would appreciate
feeling closer to the kids.
- - Send it a friend or family member who could use a reason to smile.
- - Send it to a military member overseas to show our appreciation.
- - Use as wrapping paper for family gifts, or use the item itself as a gift
if it's really nice.
- - Drop it off at a senior citizen home to bring a smile to a resident who
may be feeling lonely.
Now I have to find the time to apply the above rules to the boxes of
schoolwork that I already have saved, and I have to commit myself to follow
through during future backpack-emptying routines. I know that many of you
are silently admitting that you have the same problem stashed in the top of
a closet, or shoved in a box under a bed. No more excuses - let's get
started, moms!
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