I received my first Mother’s Day cards from my two year old daughter this year. The cards are so adorable! So adorable in fact that I just had to hang them on my fridge. What? Me? The professional organizer hanging clutter on her fridge? Yes! Yes I did. I just couldn’t resist hanging up these adorable cards. However, Mother’s Day has come and gone and now I have to figure out what to do with them. I know! I’m gonna TRASH THEM! Yup. I’m gonna dump those precious cards…but not before I take a digital photo and upload them to my Picasa Web Albums where I can keep the memory and not the clutter.
I’ve been accused in the past of not being sentimental (try telling that to my hope chest that’s still storing about 50 notes my sister passed to me in between classes when we started high school together). The fact is, I am sentimental but I’ve learned to cherish the memories rather than the physical objects. After the 20+ moves I’ve made in my life, I’ve learned how to keep only those items that I truly adore and want, rather than things I think I’m obligated to keep.
Many of us feel this sense of obligation, especially when it comes to our kids. It’s very tough for a parent to throw out their children’s creations. I admit it…my heart swells with joy every time I get a new piece of art from my kids and I, too, have a hard time throwing their creations away. But then I asked myself, “Why am I keeping this? Am I planning on giving it back to my kids when they are grown? Would they even want 18 years worth of stuff? Am I going to give it to someone else? Or am I just going to store it forever?” I quickly come to the conclusion that I don’t need the clutter and neither do my kids.
Now, not all is doom and gloom when it comes to these creative works. I’m certainly not suggesting you throw out everything. I do recommend, however that you be a little more selective. Here are a few ideas on how you can organize, sort and display your kids’ artwork while controlling the clutter:
1. Get the kids involved and give them ownership in the process! I remember sorting through 3 years worth of my son, Matt’s art and schoolwork. First I gave him a heads up that we were going to sort his stuff (I didn’t want to spring it on him at the last minute). He was a little nervous about the idea of throwing things out, but once we got started and he was given the authority to choose what to keep and what to toss, he did a great job and cut the pile down by over half. I asked him later how he felt about the process and he told me he felt really proud of what he accomplished and that he was able to make room for new stuff (which we went through and purged again). I was so proud of him!
2. Go digital. Scan artwork or take photos of your kids holding their artwork. Compile them in an online photo album or create a screensaver slideshow on your computer for you and the kids to see.
3. Assign a storage bin for each kid and put it where you regularly sort through homework and paperwork. Have them store their artwork in their bins until you sit down to purge/clean it out (monthly or at the end of the school year). Recommend keeping no more than 10 favorite pieces per year.
4. Get a picture frame where you can display / store multiple pieces and rotate them.
5. Save your favorite pieces for a scrapbook. Perhaps you could dedicate 3-5 years worth of art for each scrapbook. Be sure to store these particular pieces right away with your scrapbooking supplies.
6. Use a small, portable hanging file box for each kid with a folder for each year of school (along the lines of item #2) . This works primarily for flat artwork. And remember…be selective. Keep no more than 10 of your favorites for each year.
7. For those not-so-flat pieces…use a bigger storage box. Again, be selective. You may want to purge it every year so you won’t have to get another box to fill.
8. Go vertical. Hang a clothesline along a wall in your kid’s room to proudly display their work.
9. Give away artful creations as gifts to grandparents and other family and friends.
10. Use flat artwork as wrapping paper. Again, keep these with your wrapping supplies.
11. Create greeting cards. If possible, fold flat pieces in half and have your child write a message inside to send to a loved one.
12. ???? I don’t know. What’s your favorite way to store, organize or display kids artwork? Would love to hear and share your ideas.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Instead of a clothes line, I hung a decorative looking curtain rod and used the curtain clips to hang the art work.
Love that idea too! As a matter of fact I’ve got some old brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze curtain clips…may have to consider using them for my daughter’s artwork. Thanks!!!
Checkout also http://www.keepy.me (my company) great way to save and organize kids artwork school work and mementos
{ 2 trackbacks }