A friend on Facebook recently shared about how her six-year-old son caught her throwing away some of his artwork. Several other parents commented about how their kids had caught them doing the same thing.
So what’s a parent to do?
Since my daughter just turned one last month, right now I can’t imagine ever throwing away any of her artwork. After all, she’s only done two paintings so far: one is front and center on our fridge, and the other is in a frame with a custom-made plaque. So the throwing-away-art days are in the distant future.
But considering how much artwork a kid produces throughout childhood, it’s inevitable that we can’t keep everything without violating fire code and having to rent some storage units.
So here’s my question: When the day comes where a parent must decide that some great masterpiece has to go, how do you chuck it on the sly?
Seriously, I’m looking for some creative ideas. I don’t want to have to post on Facebook some day about how Laura Marie caught me tossing her latest creation. Please hook a brother up with some ideas!
Surfing the Inner N8 
Keep all her stuff, and every month or two you get her to check out which ones should be kept and which you can let go – she gets to keep control of what’s meaningful and you won’t have to keep everything. As an adult who enjoys painting I did the same with my own work after a year – it feels good.
Step 1: Throw.it.away.when.she’s.in.bed.
Step 2: Immediately take trash out to curb.
And trust me, if she’s a Training Station kid, you’ll soon enough find plenty of artwork you have to dispose of! Remember that it in no way makes you a bad Daddy. 🙂
Thanks for the ideas. But I’m still leaning toward keeping absolutely everything forever and ever!
Take lots of photos and create a Flickr scrapbook.
Keep ones that you particularly like or are particularly meaningful and either frame or scrapbook them.
Bind some together into a book, and give them to the grandparents.
Transfer them somehow on to fabric and sew into pillows or a quilt.
More ideas here: http://simplemom.net/what-to-do-with-kids-artwork/
from Lesley (the one from Australia.)
Thanks for your help, Lesley! Good to hear from you! 🙂