I’m an emotional person who can easily shed a tear. My heart swells at memories of my kids’ younger days and I genuinely appreciate who they are now. However, I’m not one to cling to sentimental items.
I frequently dispose of their artwork, never keep yearbooks or graduation programs, and donate baby clothes and sports jerseys. I simply don’t see the value in holding onto these things. I even discarded my own yearbooks years ago and have no regrets about it.
People often wonder, “What if your kids want these things one day?” That’s for them to decide. One of my kids enjoys saving mementos while the other is more like me—quick to toss things. If they want to keep items, I’m happy to provide a storage box; if it remains unused, it probably wasn’t that meaningful, and off it goes to the trash. Plus, my husband is the sentimental type, so at least one parent is still preserving their keepsakes.
Clutter increases my anxiety, and the mere thought of boxes filled with old papers in my kids’ closet makes me uneasy. When those boxes overflow into their rooms, hallways, and even the kitchen, it triggers my frustration.
That said, I do have some sentimental items that I choose to keep, like my son’s beloved blanket, a few charming pottery pieces, and videos that still bring me joy. I even had a tearful moment when I packed up my kids’ crib to pass it on to someone else, but I managed to move on.
What I don’t feel nostalgic about? The countless items like videos of my kids babbling, their elementary school t-shirts, participation trophies, and report cards. There’s just too much STUFF.
Here’s the reality: even if you think I’m heartless for discarding items from my children’s childhoods, everyone has to set boundaries. It’s impossible to keep every piece of paper, artwork, souvenir, and certificate. We all make choices about what to keep, and mine just looks different.
I am still very present in my kids’ lives, though. Instead of organizing all their projects and awards, I focus on creating and cherishing mental memories. I capture moments in my mind and revisit them often. I talk about these memories and write them down, allowing myself to feel emotional without clinging to physical items.
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Summary
This piece discusses the author’s struggle with clutter and their approach to managing their children’s belongings. While the author cherishes emotional memories, they are selective about what they keep, often donating or discarding items that don’t hold significant value. They emphasize the importance of setting boundaries around sentimental items while still being present in their children’s lives.
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