Child Creations: What To Do With Them, Before You Get Crazy

I’m on a kick these days- clutter makes me crazy.  My ADHD becomes unbearable in the chaos of paper, random bits of Calico Critters, Barbie fashion creations, school dioramas, class papers, lego creations- the list goes on.  My first inclination is to toss the lot, (I am a tosser to a fault- I call it “impulsive cleaning.”) My cleaning is almost a compulsion, I need to restore order to think and function as a sane mother and wife- or really do become what my kids call “The Mommy Monster.”   The distraction created by the clutter, muddles my thinking, distracts me so, I become irritable.

So what is the solution, short of tossing that beloved, hard-worked-upon-diorama in a fit of frustration, only to see tears well up in your child’s eyes, and guilt to consume you?

Take a picture! Take a photo of that favorite lego creation, Barbie fashion, or school project.  Print and frame.  Wa-la! You have cheap art too!

Frame it. This is an old one.  Take your child’s art and frame it.  Hang it in your hallway, laundry room, child’s room.

Scan it. Collect your child’s artwork  through the year, using the bucket method- paper comes in, goes directly into a folder with the child’s name on it.  One rainy day in the summer, scan the originals.  Arrange the scans on your computer to create one large piece of childwork, take the files on a disc drive to Kinkos and print. You have now created one large piece of child-work that could fit over your fireplace mantle, or make a big statement in your hallway!

Create a mobile.  Use smaller pieces of artwork to create a hanging mobile to hang in your child’s bedroom. Photo mobile clips can be purchased from eBay.

Create a collage.  Not computer savvy, work with your child at the end of the school year to use their favorite picture from the year-long collection, to make a major work of art.  Pick of few favorites and preserve the favorites in totality, or use pieces of their works to create a whole new creation using only archival glue and scissors.  Be sure to agree that the remnants go in the recycling bin.

…And just an aside, if Dads or a parenting partner are searching for a good Mother’s Day present, consider using these ideas to clear the clutter- and Mom will thank you twice!