Need advice... attention Moms

My daughter is away at camp. I am totally gutting her room. She's 12 1/2 and going into 7th grade. I'm taking all the little girl stuff out and off the walls. She has American Girl dolls, still had some Barbies, Bratz, Polly Pockets etc in her closet that need to go. I've taken 2 garbage bags out to the trash today! Where do girls get all the trinkety stuff?!!! Anyway, my question to you is..what did you save? I don't have room for a lot but I'm having a hard time parting with some of it. Did you save pictures from kindergarten? Their first doll? What's really important? Will she care when she's 30 that I saved all this stuff?

I'm doing this with Will's room next week. And I'm already crying. So I can't answer your questions. I can't believe he is 13.

I did this last year. I still have all his sports trophies and pictures, but all the little boy stuff is gone. I still have my favorite blankets, onsies, and baby clothes he wore, but all the little boy toys are gone. I gave them to a daycare here. It is sad, though to realize he is 13 and not a little boy anymore.

My daughter is away at camp. I am totally gutting her room. She's 12 1/2 and going into 7th grade. I'm taking all the little girl stuff out and off the walls. She has American Girl dolls, still had some Barbies, Bratz, Polly Pockets etc in her closet that need to go. I've taken 2 garbage bags out to the trash today! Where do girls get all the trinkety stuff?!!! Anyway, my question to you is..what did you save? I don't have room for a lot but I'm having a hard time parting with some of it. Did you save pictures from kindergarten? Their first doll? What's really important? Will she care when she's 30 that I saved all this stuff?

save American Girl Doll stuff...a few pics of kindergarten...things that mean something to you...will mean something to her one day. Things that mean nothing, and that she has not looked at in years...ditch!

I agree with Allifunn. My daughter is only six, her room is so small I have to do a regular purg or it would be coming out the door. I do hang onto her favorite stuff animals and her favorite dolls, but polly pockets...I must throw away 60 pieces a day and it hasn't even made a dent! What cruel person invented those anyway???!!!?? You need a microscope to find a shoe!!!

I agree with Allifunn. My daughter is only six, her room is so small I have to do a regular purg or it would be coming out the door. I do hang onto her favorite stuff animals and her favorite dolls, but polly pockets...I must throw away 60 pieces a day and it hasn't even made a dent! What cruel person invented those anyway???!!!?? You need a microscope to find a shoe!!!

Polly's were one of her favorite things. She spent hours playing with them. We have many small Rubbermaid containers filled with them. Polly's poodle parlor, Polly's dress shop, Polly's fashion runway... I've decided to have a garage sale...possibly this weekend if the weather is good.

Polly's were one of her favorite things. She spent hours playing with them. We have many small Rubbermaid containers filled with them. Polly's poodle parlor, Polly's dress shop, Polly's fashion runway... I've decided to have a garage sale...possibly this weekend if the weather is good.

Divest divest divest...unless it is really important!

We got rid of a bunch of stuff the summer before our daughter left for college, but we still have hundreds of stuffed animals and other toys. Even at 21, she is never without her Nala stuffed animal (Lion King). Nala has been with her to Europe many times, as well as Asia, Bermuda, etc. She laughs and says that Nala will be with her on her honeymoon. I have no doubt about that.

We need to sort through it all again before she gets married (which I predict will be next summer). I don't want to throw out something she's attached to, like some of her bunnies.

I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think it's my right to throw out her stuff without her permission.

I agree with holding onto American Girl, but the Polly pocket stuff....good lord...my "baby" just graduated high school, and today, as the movers were clearing out her room for our big move, she herself took the Polly Pocket stuff to the curb (we left a pile of trash that looked like we were hillbillies!) But this was a major purge of stuff just before moving and college--I was surprised that even her field hockey poster stuff was put in the waste can.

I actually think what gets tossed and what gets saved is somewhat idiosyncratic according to the kid. Zosia (my daughter) actually saved some stuffed animals I thought for sure would be tossed--and one bear is in our Jeep right now as we drive to Memphis. Being 18 is not a guarantee that a girl won't want her stuffed bear.

Polly's were one of her favorite things. She spent hours playing with them. We have many small Rubbermaid containers filled with them. Polly's poodle parlor, Polly's dress shop, Polly's fashion runway... I've decided to have a garage sale...possibly this weekend if the weather is good.

Oh mine loves them too. She has thousands of them, but we always seem to suck up 10 - 15 in the vacuum! Plus when she was younger, the rubber clothes possed a problem for her chubby little fingers -- and dad's hand were too big to work the clothes, I can't tell you how many dress he ripped in half!

Hey Newyorker- good luck with your move. Hope all goes well!

New Yorker be safe traveling to Tennessee. My son graduated from high school this year also. So everyone in your family is starting a new chapter this year. Hope all goes well. P.S. Welcome to the South.

I would definately save her favorites. my husband's mom just gave him all of his matchbox cars from when he was little and he was trilled.(he is 40) I am in trouble already. I have a drawer full of things and she has not even started Kindergarten. You could put as much stuff in a couple of Rubbermaid containers to store and when she gets bigger then she can decide. I wish I had had the chance. Who knows?? Maybe Polly Pocket wont be around and her child could one day plan with them... I am certainly a packrat when it comes to things like this.


As far as the things you dont want. Donate....I know many teachers have a "treasure box" for rewards and small McDonald type toys are great recycled. My daughter is just thrilled to have picked up some barbie movie toy that is over 2 years old. Little does she know she may be picking it out of the treasure box again soon. ;-)

I personally would keep the barbies if they are in good shape and no doubt the American Dolls. Aren't those collectables or keepsakes???

We got rid of a bunch of stuff the summer before our daughter left for college, but we still have hundreds of stuffed animals and other toys. Even at 21, she is never without her Nala stuffed animal (Lion King). Nala has been with her to Europe many times, as well as Asia, Bermuda, etc. She laughs and says that Nala will be with her on her honeymoon. I have no doubt about that.

We need to sort through it all again before she gets married (which I predict will be next summer). I don't want to throw out something she's attached to, like some of her bunnies.

I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think it's my right to throw out her stuff without her permission.

I agree BR. The stuff I threw out today was just junk that I KNOW she will not miss or care that I got rid of. The garage sale with happen with her help. She gets home Friday. I don't think she has that many things she's attached too. I think it's me. Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm going to save some things for my niece Delaney so when she comes over I'll have toys for her to play with. I'm sure in a few more years we'll be purging again. Hello Kitty clock radio and glitter lamp are staying for now.

I'd definitely save the American Girl stuff. My daughter is 17 and she loves when my niece asks her to get them all out to look at and play with. She has quite a few of them and I'll never forget the first Christmas she didn't get one and the 8 year old niece did. She got a little teary; it was cute. It's very hard to see them grow up so fast! Mine is going to be a senior this upcoming school year and I know I'll have a few "moments!"

Anyway, just my .02 on what to save if you have room. Maybe tuck away 1 or 2 of the Polly Pocket sets. This reminds me that we still have 2 rubbermaid boxes FULL of those Beanie Babies. Ugh....

I'd definitely save the American Girl stuff. My daughter is 17 and she loves when my niece asks her to get them all out to look at and play with. She has quite a few of them and I'll never forget the first Christmas she didn't get one and the 8 year old niece did. She got a little teary; it was cute. It's very hard to see them grow up so fast! Mine is going to be a senior this upcoming school year and I know I'll have a few "moments!"

Anyway, just my .02 on what to save if you have room. Maybe tuck away 1 or 2 of the Polly Pocket sets. This reminds me that we still have 2 rubbermaid boxes FULL of those Beanie Babies. Ugh....

As far as the things you dont want. Donate....I know many teachers have a "treasure box" for rewards and small McDonald type toys are great recycled. My daughter is just thrilled to have picked up some barbie movie toy that is over 2 years old. Little does she know she may be picking it out of the treasure box again soon. ;-)

I personally would keep the barbies if they are in good shape and no doubt the American Dolls. Aren't those collectables or keepsakes???

Yes, the AG dolls are staying for sure. Most of the barbies have been in the basement for a couple of years. Last count she had like 37. :shock: My mom saved several of my dolls from when I was little and I loved it. I had this Drowsy doll and she found a replica at Toys R Us and she bought it for me. I think I wore the original one out so she didn't save it but it was sweet of her to buy it for me again. Our church has a big carnival every year after VBS and we always donate stuffed animals and happy meal toys for prizes. I always feel good about that. The little ones are thrilled to win a prize at every game.
Books are a whole other issue! :roll:

I agree BR. The stuff I threw out today was just junk that I KNOW she will not miss or care that I got rid of. The garage sale with happen with her help. She gets home Friday. I don't think she has that many things she's attached too. I think it's me. Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm going to save some things for my niece Delaney so when she comes over I'll have toys for her to play with. I'm sure in a few more years we'll be purging again. Hello Kitty clock radio and glitter lamp are staying for now.

My 12 year old would part with his left arm if he thought he could make a buck.

I'm doing this with Will's room next week. And I'm already crying. So I can't answer your questions. I can't believe he is 13.

I remember reading about a tribe where boys were sent off into the woods for a walk when they reached the age of 12. They were not allowed to return until they were men (the 12 year olds had to decide when that was). While the boys were becoming men, all of their earthly possessions were burned by the tribe, ridding them of their childish ways. They knew they were men when they returned and they gained the respect of the others in the tribe upon their return.

Celebrate growing up and the transition into adulthood. Cherish the memories, but live in the now and see the future ahead.

I remember reading about a tribe where boys were sent off into the woods for a walk when they reached the age of 12. They were not allowed to return until they were men (the 12 year olds had to decide when that was). While the boys were becoming men, all of their earthly possessions were burned by the tribe, ridding them of their childish ways. They knew they were men when they returned and they gained the respect of the others in the tribe upon their return.

Celebrate growing up and the transition into adulthood. Cherish the memories, but live in the now and see the future ahead.

Can I just cry some more???

I like the respect part. At camp, he will be respected for man-size burps and farts. He will come home standing tall and proud about this.

My 12 year old would part with his left arm if he thought he could make a buck.

Oh, as soon as I said the words garage sale, Dylan, my 10 yr old was scouring his room and the garage to see what he could sell.

My 42 yro husband still puffs his chest out with pride over those!!! I guess it's good they never grow up too much!

I like the respect part. At camp, he will be respected for man-size burps and farts. He will come home standing tall and proud about this.

Dam right.

Kinda like being able to back a trailer. It is a right of passage for a man.

You have to be able to do it, and you have to be able to do it FAST.

My 42 yro husband still puffs his chest out with pride over those!!! I guess it's good they never grow up too much!

What the man-sized burps and farts?! I have to admit I laugh pretty hard at my husband too and am glad he hasn't outgrown his childish ways.

LL, I'm glad to see you reading the Mom thread. Unless of course you just hit "new posts" and followed SJ here. I don't discriminate I'll take advice from Dads too. Cherish those toddler years, you'll be clearing out the Fisher Price farm before you know it.

I want Walker to stay the age he is forever. I get those genuine hugs that you wish you could bottle up and keep forever.