<p>Over the years, we’ve accumulated lots of papers (drawings, stories, schoolwork, cards, mementoes) from our kids, and I’m wondering if anyone has good suggestions for ways to keep these organized so that they can be stored but also taken out and looked at occasionally. Any ideas for de-cluttering (I.e., deciding what to throw out) would also be very welcome! </p>
<p>I am having the same problem! I would love to hear any suggestions!</p>
<p>My oldest was a prolific artist and refused to throw away anything he had drawn on. For a long time, I kept everything of his - which filled 2 lateral file cabinets before he was school-aged. Luckily I tackled all that years ago. </p>
<p>When I purged and organized I only saved unique drawings, school artwork/projects, stories, essays, and cards (like Birthday) that had personal messages written in them. I tossed all busywork school stuff like class notes, quizzes, tests, etc. I kept at least a few handwritten pieces from each grade of school so the kids could see how their writing ability developed over time. It was extremely hard to throw out precious pictures of pirates, dinosaurs, etc. but there were soooo many!! I saved the best/cutest/cleverest and pitched the others. Some people will suggest taking photos of everything before you pitch it. I didn’t do that.</p>
<p>I use a mix of things but for standard sized papers, an expandable file folder, the kind with the bottom, hold quite a lot of pages. I write my kid’s grade and name on the outside and try to save a max of 4 inches thick of papers each year. I have kept the folders in order in file cabinets or large plastic containers with tight lids. I also have a file for each kid that has their school pictures, team photos, report cards, awards, etc. that is separate from the schoolwork folder. </p>
<p>I should add that I made decisions on their younger age stuff (they didn’t want to) but since middle school I have had them go through their folders/notebooks/binders each year to pick a selection of keep items. I usually look through it with them. In high school, most years there were a couple of regular folders worth of essays, papers, tests, etc. but much less to save in general.</p>
<p>Great suggestions – thank you!!</p>
<p>Scan them and save them someplace…either on computer or on a disk. </p>
<p>My mother years ago took all our kids’ artwork and had it bound in books - one for each of us - then she gave it to us. I have mine in the closet. </p>