As parents, we often find ourselves holding onto our children’s childhood memorabilia. Is it merely for the occasional stroll down memory lane, or are we planning to pass these items down to them in the future?
Consider a hypothetical future scenario: You hand your grown daughter a carefully curated box filled with her cherished childhood items, eagerly anticipating her joy as she uncovers each treasure. Instead, she recoils, exclaiming, “Ew! Are those my baby teeth? That’s so creepy! Why would you keep those?” Suddenly, the box is snatched from her grasp to prevent her from discovering the umbilical cord preserved in plexiglass—definitely not the reaction you envisioned.
A friend recently shared a similar experience (thankfully minus the umbilical cord incident) when her father presented her with an envelope containing her 45-year-old baby teeth. This made me reflect: if we are saving these mementos for our children, shouldn’t we consider what they might actually find valuable decades down the line?
With that in mind, I decided to declutter my home of various items. I approached the task with the perspective that everything I save for my children may eventually be theirs. The question loomed: will they truly cherish these items?
During my decluttering, I stumbled upon several items I’m confident my children will never miss after I dispose of them:
- An unused newborn diaper—kept as a reminder of their infant size.
- 27 toddler-sized shirts, which I clung to, reminiscing about the memories tied to each one, only to realize I can’t recall who wore what.
- Standardized test results from grades 4-8. What was I thinking? Did I believe they would need these for college applications?
- Two recorders from 4th grade. If I found their performance grating back then, why would I want to hear it again?
- Report cards spanning from kindergarten through high school—while I was distracted by nostalgic notes from loving teachers, the rest were recycled.
Artwork has also piled up, and although my husband wished I’d photograph each piece for an album, I haven’t even completed my 19-year-old’s baby book. How much of this can I realistically keep?
However, I’m not entirely heartless. There are many items—perhaps too many—that I will retain regardless of their future interest: photographs, performance playbills, newspaper clippings, a lock of hair, handmade cards that evoke emotion, treasured books, and select toys. I refuse to discard all of their toys.
I vividly remember when my mother gave away my Barbie dolls while I was at college; I was devastated. Despite my parents’ rationale—having not touched them in years—I lamented the loss of my childhood memories. Ironically, the single Barbie I managed to keep was quickly dismembered by my boys, but still…
To gauge what my children might value, I allowed them to sift through the items I planned to discard. Surprisingly, they were uninterested in most, particularly their baby teeth. “Why would I want my baby teeth?” my youngest remarked. “That’s so creepy!”
In conclusion, while we may hold onto countless items from our children’s early years, it’s essential to consider their future feelings toward these keepsakes. For additional insights on fertility and family planning, please explore our resources on boosting fertility supplements and visit Make A Mom for more information. Additionally, for those interested in home insemination, check out At-Home Insemination Kit and Johns Hopkins Fertility Center for excellent resources.