In this guest post my cousin Janna shares her ides for organizing her a child's artwork and school papers.

About five years ago, on a cold winter day, I decided to sort and organize my daughter’s school artwork, journals and special homework assignments. It was one of a number of projects I needed to tackle to prepare for our upcoming home remodel.

As you can imagine, it was a delightful trip down memory lane, but a sad one too.

Imagine my guilt as I forced myself to cull through all of the “special” pieces, making piles to save and a pile to toss.

I kept thinking about a large envelope I received when I graduated from high school. It was from Elizabeth’s mom, my aunt Janet.

It contained artwork, letters and other special mementos I had sent to her during my childhood. I remember receiving that envelope and how fun and funny it was to look through it.

I still have it. And every once in awhile, I run across it in my family archives desk. I pull out its contents and have a good laugh.

Over the years, I too have saved a few special things from nephews, nieces and small cousins. I plan to do the same for them, a lovely family tradition – don’t you think?

It will be up to them to decide what to do with it.

And that’s the point. No matter how hard we try to clean up, sort and organize, there are some things that are just too difficult to decide upon.

Janet’s solution was perfect. She did her best, culled out her favorites and sent them back!

I am forever grateful for her thoughtfulness and her forward thinking.

Coming Next: Part 2 – My system for organizing the artwork

-Janna

Organizing Tips