As parents, we often find ourselves holding onto our kids’ childhood keepsakes. But why? Are we planning to sift through boxes of memories to reminisce, or do we envision giving these treasures to our children when they’re older?
Imagine this scenario: years from now, you excitedly present your grown daughter with a box of her cherished childhood items, anticipating her delight as she explores the contents. But instead, she shrieks and slams the box shut, exclaiming, “Ew! Are those my baby teeth? That’s so weird! Why would you keep those?” Not quite the heartwarming moment you imagined, right?
A friend of mine, Sarah, shared a similar experience when her dad handed her an envelope filled with her 45-year-old baby teeth. It got me thinking: if we’re saving these items for our kids, should we be more mindful of what they might actually want in 40 years?
Determined to declutter, I went through my own stash of keepsakes with a mindset of, “Will my kids actually want this?” Here’s what I found that probably won’t be missed:
- An unused newborn diaper, which I saved to show how tiny they once were.
- 27 toddler t-shirts—yes, 27! I clearly couldn’t part with them back then, but now I can’t remember who wore which.
- Standardized test results from grades 4-8. What was I thinking? Were they going to need these for college applications?
- Two fourth-grade recorders. If I didn’t enjoy hearing them play then, why would I want to hear them again?
- Report cards from kindergarten through high school. I’ll admit I got lost in nostalgia over the early ones, especially the ones that said, “Your child is a gift!” The rest? Recycled.
And then there’s the artwork. I haven’t taken photos of their creations to make an album, and frankly, I’m still working on my 19-year-old’s baby book!
But don’t worry, I’m not heartless. There are plenty of items I’ll hold onto whether my kids want them or not: photos, performance playbills, newspaper clippings, a lock of hair, handmade cards that tug at my heartstrings, and of course, some beloved toys.
I learned my lesson when my mom gave away my cherished Barbie dolls while I was away at college. I was devastated! My boys, however, seemed indifferent when I asked them what they wanted to save. “Baby teeth? That’s just creepy!” my youngest remarked.
So, as we navigate the clutter of our children’s belongings, let’s be intentional about what we keep. If you’re interested in understanding more about family planning and home insemination, check out this excellent resource. And if you’re looking for the right tools, you can find a great selection at Make a Mom.
In summary, the next time you consider keeping that old item, think about whether it will truly matter to your kids in the future. After all, what seems precious to us may not hold the same value for them.