A mom of three recently posed a question on my blog, “I am curious as to how you organize all the school papers and awards throughout 13 years!” This is a great question!
A masterpiece!
With my older two, I tried to make a scrapbook of their special awards, papers, notes from grandparents, etc. What I found was that some things they wanted to save were 3-dimensional. So, we progressed to a “scrapbook box”, using one of the containers with the hinged interlocking lids (sturdy, stackable, and the lids are attached, so never lost!)
An excerpt from fellow blogger mom Jennifer gives this slant on it
(http://www.ceomom.com/tips/722-organizing-kids-school-papers-and-projects)
While growing up, I had a very organized mom. She had a storage bin for each of us kids that she would put papers, memories, pictures, trophies, etc. in. Then one day when we were all grown up, she gave us the box. There was no scrambling to gather items – She literally said: “Here’s your box” and it seemed my whole life memories were contained in it. I loved it! I still have my box.
I have done the same thing with my girls. I have two storage bins in a lilac color, so I easily know which bins are my girls. When they do a project or a school paper that I want to keep, I scribble their name, age and date on it and throw it (yes, throw it) in the box.
I agree with Jennifer that noting a name, date, possibly a 2-3 word hint on the back (what the heck is this?) is a good idea.
If I were starting today and focusing on school papers, I would get one of the plastic file boxes http://bit.ly/4uYjEG and use hanging legal files http://bit.ly/fLk98 with expandable bottoms – one for each school year. This system will give you room for some larger, fatter items. If papers for the year exceed a folder, you can cull the best after the school year ends. That would be a great summer’s day activity with your child!
These are a couple websites that have storage solutions for larger art:
Schoolfolio – http://www.schoolfolio.com/products/single/index.php These are large, archival quality.
Potter Barn – http://bit.ly/2fkg3C Different sizes, not as large, acid free
If price is an issue – do the saving now, make notes on each piece, place in an inexpensive storage bin. You can always change/improve your system when you have more time, money, and energy. Enjoy these early years now!
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