4 years ago
Friday, January 4, 2008
What to do?
To go along with one of my New Year's Resolutions (be more organized), I was cleaning out my catch-all drawer at the computer. I found all of Caden's art projects from school. I don't know what to do with all of it. Do I save it, thinking one day he'll get a kick out of seeing his art projects from when he was 3? Or do I toss it? This is a question I'd like feedback on....do you save or toss? And if you save, what do you save it in? These projects aren't all in a nice 8x10 size - some are really big. Suggestions?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
One suggestion I've heard is to keep 1 project a month and put it in a binder (fold it if necessary) and then take pictures of the other stuff and also put it in the binder. Since I'm not to this stage yet, I'm not sure if that would really work or not. Good luck on the organization, I'm going to add that to my list, esp. now that I'm in an even smaller space!
I really like the taking a picture of it idea. But, unfortunately I threw most of the early stuff my kids did away. Once they started preschool, I got a big portfolio for each of them and then divided it into sections for each year. I pick my favorites and file them in there with their school picture and class picture for the year. I fear by the time they reach college my house will be overflowing with their school stuff.
i do an expandable file folder, one that has 15-20 sections, one that has a nice stiff exterior with a flap that latches over the top-i got mine at walmart, and then each year gets a section. so keep some, toss the others, and if need be fold it. that way everything is all in one spot all the way through elementary and on through highschool (if they desire to keep stuff when they are that old) it is where i put all of the stuff i don't know where to put. certificates for things, etc... just limit yourself to that one section and as they get older you can train them that they can't keep everything so have them decide what to keep and what to throw away, and just remind them they can only keep as much as a section can hold.
I helped Marissa with her kid's stuff and narrowed down what she wanted and put it all in a binder, mounted on construction paper or cardstock. When the things were too big, we either cut them up and saved the best parts, or just folded them. It wouldn't hurt to ask for his opinion too. I'm sure he has some that he loves and some that he doesn't really care. My mom kept a lot of my stuff and I think its fun to look at. She had a binder too. I think that she fit all my elementary school stuff in one binder and that has been plenty.
One way I display art projects (to make the kids feel good about themselves) is by taping them on the door from the garage to the kitchen (a nice way to decorate the garage). The kids get excited about seeing their masterpieces up, but it is conveniently hidden! When a new one comes home if there isn't room on the door something has to come down! I save the really really special ones in a box, but the others "disappear" when little ones aren't around. Hope this helps.
The "Older" Sunshine
I'm not at that stage yet either, but I'm all about digitizing things-scan it or photograph it. That way you can make it whatever size you want and it will last a long time. You can also photocopy (shrinking as needed). I know that won't work for everything though so that is where you set limits - 1 binder, box or whatever. When it gets too full you re-evaluate what stays or goes. As time passes it might get easier to discard some things. My mom kept some things, but not everything. I do appreciate the ones she kept although I really don't look at them that often and I'm certainly glad she didn't keep everything.
I just read in the parenting magazine this month that you could make a calendar out of the best ones each year and that way they are being displayed but in a non messy way. Just a thought. Good luck!!!
I joined the blogosphere! You guys inspire me. I need your chocolate eclair cake recipe!
Post a Comment