Preserving Memories without the Clutter

The reason it is so hard for mothers to let go of the toys, clothes, and boxes of papers their children have long outgrown, is that letting go of this stuff is the emotional equivalent of letting go of the children themselves -- and it's a rare mother who wants to do that!

Creating a photo album/scrapbook "Memory Book" for each child is a good way to create order and preserve the memories, without holding on to lots of clutter. Artwork, newspaper clippings, sports certificates, programs from music and ballet recitals, can all be included. Those who aren't interested in a major "scrapbook" project can use plastic page-protector sleeves in a simple 3-ring binder.

Favorite stuffed animals, clothes, or other toys can be passed on to your now-grown kids if they want them. Keep a snapshot of 3-year-old Junior with his favorite stuffed bear, and let the bear go. You can even take a photo of it now, if you don't have an old one, and put the picture in the Memory Book, instead of keeping that musty old bear in a box in the attic.

These Memory Books make a wonderful gift to pass on to your kids at the next birthday or holiday season.

"Going through the Clutter Free program made some big dents in areas that I refused to touch before."
~ Clutter-Free Forever! support group member