As parents, we often find ourselves wondering why we cling to our children’s childhood treasures. Are we holding on to them for those nostalgic moments when we dig through boxes or do we genuinely believe our kids will cherish these keepsakes when they grow up?
Imagine, years down the line, you present your adult daughter with a carefully curated box of her childhood memories. You anticipate her joyful reaction as she uncovers the gems of her past. Instead, she gasps and snaps the box shut, exclaiming, “Ew! Are those my baby teeth? That’s so weird! Why would you keep those??”
Not the response you were aiming for, right? Before she can glimpse the umbilical cord encased in plexiglass (yes, you read that correctly), you snatch the box away, realizing she probably won’t appreciate that either.
A friend of mine, Lisa, shared a similar tale, minus any preserved umbilical cords. Her father handed her an envelope stuffed with her 45-year-old baby teeth, prompting a mix of confusion and horror. This made me consider: if we’re saving these items for our kids, shouldn’t we be more discerning about what might actually mean something to them decades later?
Thus began my mission to declutter our home of what I affectionately refer to as “random mementos.” With a discerning eye, I scrutinized every item through the lens of “Will my kids actually want this?”
During my decluttering spree, I stumbled upon some real treasures I’m sure my kids will never miss. For instance, an unused newborn diaper (clearly kept to demonstrate that my child once fit into something so tiny). And then there were 27 toddler-sized shirts—yes, 27! At some point, I was probably too attached to let them go, but now I can’t recall who wore what.
I also found standardized test results from grades 4-8. What was I thinking? Did I believe they’d need these for college applications? And then there were two recorders from 4th grade. I dreaded listening to them back then, so why would I want to relive that?
Report cards from kindergarten through high school were another rabbit hole. I got lost in the nostalgia of comments like, “Your child is a gift!” and “He brightens my day!” Those went into the keep pile, while the rest got recycled.
As for the artwork, let’s just say I didn’t document every piece for an album. I’m still working on my oldest’s baby book after 19 years, so clearly, I’m not one for scrapbooking. How many drawings can one person realistically keep anyway?
Now, I’m not heartless. There are numerous items I’ll hold onto, regardless of my kids’ future preferences: photos, programs from performances, newspaper clippings, a lock of their hair, heartfelt cards that still make me tear up, beloved books, and a few cherished toys.
And speaking of toys, I refuse to toss out all of them! My mom gave away my entire collection of Barbie dolls when I left for college, and I was devastated. Sure, I hadn’t touched them in years, but that didn’t matter. I dramatically lamented about losing all my childhood memories, especially if I had a daughter one day who would want them. Ironically, the one Barbie I salvaged was quickly dismembered by my sons.
To ensure my boys don’t have any unexpected attachments beyond a few stuffed animals and Lego creations, I let them sift through the piles of items I intended to discard. Surprisingly, their reaction was one of indifference, especially regarding their baby teeth. “My baby teeth? Why on Earth would I want those? That’s just creepy!”
It seems I may have overestimated their interest in their past.
In summary, while we often save our kids’ things with the best intentions, it’s essential to consider what they might actually appreciate in the future. A little decluttering could go a long way, not just for us, but for them too. If you’re curious about home insemination, check out this insightful article on cryobaby at home insemination kit. If you’re looking for tools to aid in self-insemination, this fertility syringe kit might be just what you need. For more information on pregnancy resources, visit Johns Hopkins Fertility Center.
Keyphrase: Why Do We Save Our Kids’ Stuff?
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