What to Do with ALL That School Work

I had the same problem. I used my photo scanner and photo coppied it all and put it to a disc. Then threw the papers away. I kept the large pieces of art work in a safe place. framed some. but most of all the math work went on a disc then in the permanent filing cabnet...lol.. i do have tons of people around me who say that is too time consuming and its much easier just to toss it after keeping it a week. I felt guilty doing that though.. What ever you decide is right for you will be fine. Good luck and best wishes.

Hi K., I learned a great idea...using poster board and colored duct tape. I made a huge open-top envelope for each child by closing 3 sides using the colored tape. They can each draw / decorate the front of theirs. I keep some artwork and very few papers from each year in them. You can even save their year-end report cards in them too! I have a place atop my bedroom closet shelf where I keep these. In the dining area where homework is done, I have a wall where I hang/ display some of their artwork, and certificates they get for such things as "student of the month", etc. My kids are now in grades 6 & 3, plus I have a new baby. Hope this helps. ~M.~

Put what fits into art portfolios. They are large books you can find at craft stores. Also, have your daughters help you sort. Ask them which are there favorites and which ones they could live without. Then, set a limit of the number of boxes & portfolios you are going to keep. If you have 10 and have room for 5, that's your number. Don't budge from it. Hope this helps.

I have to say that I too have done the same thing...saved EVERYTHING...I've now gone through and thrown most of it away. I have 3 boys (16, 14 and 11 months). Someone gave me some advice a long time ago that I'd like to pass onto other Moms like yourself...which obviously I never utilized!
When your child comes home with artwork, good grades, papers etc...take a picture of your child holding these things. It shows how big they were, what you child looked like and it's much smaller to store!

take some of your favorite pics and date them
and display them as art work in your house..
and there is know way to keep everything
so each month take 5 things and store them

but displaying them in frames make wonder gift and decoration

Morning K.-
It can get daunting! Here's some tips:
~ Go out and buy artwork portfolios (they sell these at all the office supply stores), and pick one color for each kid. Get one for each grade/year.
~ Anything to big to fit: take a picture. Kids love getting the picture taken while they hold the cardboard structure or shoebox or yarn puppet, etc. Then the photo goes in that year's artwork portfolio.
~ Pick one "masterpiece" of the year to get framed, and 3 recent favorites to hang on the fridge/breakfast room wall.
~ Get your older kids help to decide what (for now) can get tossed. Kids love giggling over their earlier schoolwork and art!
~ Label the portfolios and store them vertically: and gone are all those boxes!
warmest, S.

Hi K.~

I have 3 boys ages 8, 5 and 1. I noticed the same thing about 2 years ago with my oldest, there was just so much stuff. What I did was take pictures of all the things he made at school, got them developed and put them in an album just for him. A photo album takes up a lot less room then bucket/bins full of all their art work and projects. I have recently started one for my 5 year old. I have a bucket that I put everything in then at the end of the year I start taking the pictures of everything. Hope this helps some :-)
T.

I saved alot of my girls things,, i bought 3 ring binders, bought some clear sleeves, bought some nice paper and decorations ,, and made them scrap books to give them when they are older,, they love them,and it keeps their things from getting ruined.

My friend's mom (who is a teacher) matted and framed some of the kids' artwork and hung it up in their rooms or used it as an inspiration to decorate a room in the house. Good luck!

K.

There are a couple of great products at www.onceuponafamily.com/English

We have an Artwork Portfolio and a School Years Album to help create memories out of all the great things kids do and make! The creator of Once Upon A Family had the same questions that you had above, so I thought I'd pass these option on to you! Check out the website, there are pictures there too! :)

Good luck!
A.

Product # CC007
School Years Album
May be personalized
SCHOOL YEARS PHOTO & MEMORY ALBUM This 9” x 12” album was designed with 50 acid-free pages to hold all the special memories from your child’s school years. Create a tradition by sitting down with your child at the end of each school year and pick out four or five of your favorite writing assignments. Place them in this book with the class photo. This new family tradition is a wonderful way to review what your child has accomplished each year.
Price: $46.00

Product # CC021
Artwork Portfolio

ARTWORK PORTFOLIO Show your little “Picassos” just how much you value their artwork by keeping it all in this beautiful but sturdy 20 ½ ” x 26” portfolio with protective sides. Treasures such as these should never be stored in drawers or attic boxes where they can get lost or damaged.
Price: $42.00