As parents, we often find ourselves hoarding our children’s childhood treasures. Is it because we want to glance through the boxes and relive those moments, or do we genuinely intend to pass these items on to our kids when they grow up?
Imagine this future scenario: You excitedly present a box filled with your daughter’s cherished childhood items. You anticipate her excited reaction as she uncovers these memories. Instead, she gasps and snaps the box shut. “Ew! Are those my baby teeth?!” she exclaims. “That’s so gross! Why would you keep those?!”
Not quite the nostalgic moment you envisioned. In a panic, you snatch the box back before she can discover the umbilical cord encased in glass. Clearly, that would not go over well either.
A friend of mine, Melissa, shared a similar experience. After her father handed her a packet containing her baby teeth from 45 years ago, she was less than thrilled. This made me ponder whether we should consider what our children might actually want to see decades down the line when we save their keepsakes.
With that thought in mind, I decided it was time for a thorough decluttering session. I examined each item with the mindset that anything I saved could eventually belong to my kids. Would they ever care about this pile of stuff?
Items I Discovered During Decluttering
During my decluttering phase, I unearthed some items I’m sure my children will never miss, such as:
- An unused newborn diaper. Apparently, I saved it to demonstrate that my child once fit into such a tiny size.
- A whopping 27 toddler-sized shirts! I must have been feeling nostalgic when I tucked them away years ago, but now I can’t even remember who wore which shirt.
- Test scores from grades 4 to 8. Was I under the impression they would need these for college applications?
- Two musical recorders from the 4th grade. I didn’t enjoy hearing them then, so why would I want to relive that experience?
- Report cards spanning from kindergarten to high school. I admit I got sidetracked by the early ones where teachers praised my kids, but the rest went into recycling.
As for the artwork, I confess I didn’t document every piece for an album. I am still struggling to complete my oldest child’s baby book, so creating albums isn’t my forte. Besides, how many drawings can one person realistically cherish?
That said, I’m not entirely heartless. There are several items I plan to keep, regardless of my kids’ opinions: photos, playbills from performances, newspaper clippings, a lock of hair, heartfelt handmade cards, beloved books, and certain toys. I refuse to part with all of their toys.
When I was off to college, my mother gave away all my cherished Barbie dolls, and I was heartbroken! Sure, I hadn’t touched them in ages, but I lamented about losing my childhood memories and the potential of having a daughter who might enjoy those toys. Ironically, the one Barbie I salvaged was quickly dismembered by my boys.
To ensure my sons didn’t have any unexpected emotional attachments, I let them sift through the items I was about to discard. To my surprise, they wanted nothing—especially not their baby teeth. “Why would I want my baby teeth? That’s so creepy!” my youngest said.
Life has its funny twists!
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In summary, as we sift through the remnants of our children’s early years, it’s essential to reflect on what memories truly hold value for them. A thoughtful approach to preserving keepsakes can lead to cherished memories for the future.