Preschoolers and Peace - The Paper Trail

The Paper Trail • Jul. 22, 2006

Cristy is a neat mom I know from church. Her blog is specifically written for and about families with autistic children, as Cristy's son Scotty has autism. She emailed me the following questions last week:

Dear Kendra,
I have been meaning to write this question up in your blog but always
forget.
I want to get your advice on all those papers, worksheets, artwork
that your children have done. Where do you put them?
Do you just keep a few in your folder? What about those notes and
lesson plans you write?
We use notebooks a lot. They have 5 notebooks each every yr., and I can't bear to throw them away. Do you keep any?
I'm attempting to unclutter our homeschool before we start school
again...
Thanks,
Cristy

Hi Cristy-

Papers...ugh... worksheets are saved in their binders throughout the year (one binder per subject per child). Then at the end of the year I scan the best worksheets and schoolwork onto my computer into files. At the end of sixth grade, each child gets a disc containing the best of each subject for grades K-6. This also serves as a record of their work, and a disc takes up far less room than binder upon binder of paperwork.

As for artwork, I tend to display what they've lovingly given to me but then when they give me new stuff I discretely toss the old. I use some of their larger works for wrapping paper or little notes to grandparents, and I am entering some of their work in the fair this year, as well. I keep only the most sentimental items in a folder labeled with each child's name, but I am super discerning about this because otherwise the folders would be inches thick! So I'd say each folder contains 5-10 pieces of artwork.

I keep lessons plans and schedules stored on my computer for future reference, but the hard copies are usually displayed in one or two places in our home: on the fridge, on the hallway bulletin board, on the school room bulletin board, and on my clipboard that gets carried around the house with me.

I am a notorious tosser. It is not hard for me to get rid of stuff, so I know that for people who love to hold onto things, it's tougher. But think about what you have from your childhood- how often do you really look at it? I have two things from my childhood school years that mean something to me; the rest was tossed long ago and for that I am grateful.

Always here to help!

Kendra

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Sharing Thoughts

OH, I just read through your blog... - Jul. 22, 2006

Shared by MrsIncredible

and you have some great ideas that will really help me! Can I put you on my friends list? Stop by my blog sometime, I love visitors and I just love your ideas!
Thanks!
-Jen

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Untitled Comment - Jul. 23, 2006

Shared by Anonymous

Whew! I'm so glad I'm not the only one who tosses out children's artwork! I had begun to think I was a terrible mommy just because I can just toss it in the trash without much regret. :D I do keep some really special ones, and I allow each child to keep a binder of their favorites.

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I have enjoyed reading your ideas! - Jul. 23, 2006

Shared by mom2two

Kendra,

Wow, you have some great ideas! I stumbled across your web site and blog somehow. I have known the Hectors for years now and have recently met your friend Lisa. We are also using Mystery of History and just love it. If all of you ever have a park day, we would love to join you!

Yvonne

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Great system - Jul. 24, 2006

Shared by Witness7

I am a paper pack rat (never know when this may be needed) but utilizing my comuter more efficiently is something I will have to look into.

berta

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Encouragement for the non-tossers out there! - Jul. 24, 2006

Shared by Anonymous

Tossing "precious" things is the very best way possible to make things special.

Firstly, if everything is special, then nothing is special. If you want something to be special, you absolutely have to make some things "not special."

Secondly, tossing things gives you the freedom to actually enjoy what's left. A 3-foot-high pile of special things is overwhelming, but a 2-3-inch file isn't. For a long time, I had a large box of memorabilia from my high school days (my mom was a saver). A few years ago, I went through and tossed 9/10ths of it. Most of it was junk! What remains are the highlights and the treasures. Recently, I pulled out my small collection to share it with my husband. It was so fun to be able to spend an hour looking through this little stack of my favorite things. I doubt I would have been able to hold his attention (dedicated though he is) through the original pile!

Thirdly, tossing stuff means you no longer have to clean, organize or store it! That alone is a great motivator. Who needs more housework??

If you're one who really has a hard time letting go of stuff, try making a "transition zone." Clean out your records and put them in a box in the garage with a destroy date on it dated for one week, month or year (whatever you're comfortable with). That will give you the mental safety-net of knowing you have a week/month/year to go back and retrieve anything you decide is special after all.

People think I’m crazy, but I also toss photographs. I go through the roll (or digital files) and toss (delete) all but the best of the best. I’ve seen unmanageable pile after unmanageable pile of mediocre pictures my mom has collected. One look at those piles was enough to convince me that I wanted to do it differently. I’d rather have a few, stellar, organized photos, even if it means tossing a friendly face now and then!

Hope that gives you some encouragement to get tossing.

--Rebecca R

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