The laundry room is overrun because I've put this off for so long. I hate sorting through the outgrown things...it makes me so sad. Some items are fine, no problem, but then I run across a little shirt that both my sons wore, and I can remember when and where and how they looked, and it just kills me to put it in a bag to donate. Or a little dress that my daughter loved when she was in preschool...but she's going into first grade and we're done having babies. I know I can't keep them all, because we're already drowning in clutter, but it makes me so sad to get rid of them.

So am I the only one who cries when sorting old clothes? I guess it's that it's concrete proof that they're growing up and I'll never again see them as they were. I wish I had a time machine, so I could see my 9 yr old as a toddler again, or have a conversation with my very talkative 2 yr old daughter (who's now a very talkative 6 yr old).

I think it'll be easier once they're all older and their clothes aren't little and cute anymore. Sheesh, I hope so anyway.

Maureen

I do not have children, but the first thing that came to my mind was making a blanket for them with pieces of your favorite clothing.

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-Kristi

I guess I feel the same way you do. That is why I hung on to most of my baby/toddler clothes til they were out dated ( I did in the interim loan them out to family and friends) I get very melancholy when I watch the home movies, because I miss those beautiful babies, adorable toddlers etc. I used to look at those parents of tweens and teens and college students and think that was so far away, now I'm smack in the middle of it. I do love and appreciate and marvel at my teens and their accomplishments, but dang I miss those babies!!!!

I have a few shirts I put away of my son's for when he has a child. There were a few cute ones, as well as some baby clothes, that I just couldn't donate.

They are put in his "box of special things".

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"Yesterday my life was duller, now everything's technicolor!"

Yes, I have cried when doing this. It seems like just yesterday they were babies. Now I have two in high school. My son will be leaving for college next year and I swear I'm going to be a basket case because I'll miss him so much. I've had a difficult time parting with books, toys, and clothes in the past. But it does get easier as they get older. You finally realize that you simply can't keep everything. The clutter starts to take over. We just got rid of our daughter's bike this weekend. I was cleaning out the garage and it was unbelievable what I found. I said to DH, "Samantha is almost 15...I don't think she's going to be riding this 20" bike again anytime soon!" We gave it to our neighbor's daughter who is 7. She was thrilled because her daughter just got rid of the training wheels. The bike is in great condition because DD didn't ride it much. It will be neat to see the little girl riding the bike out front in the cul-de-sac.

As for the baby clothes, Easter dresses, etc. I just put the really special things in a huge plastic box. ~Lisa

I don't always cry, but it does make me sit down and think about how quickly time seems to be passing with them all.........I have saved a special outfit from each year for each of the kids, My plan is to make a patchwork quilt with them all once they are all older.

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Nicole

I saved some of my youngest daughter's preemie clothes, she was 4.5 lbs!!! I don't cry going through them though, unless I am going through mine that I have outgrown!!!Let me tell you, that is sad!! LOL

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Together They Fell
Together We Stand
Never Forget:
2/26/93
6/25/96
9/11/01
God Bless USA and our Troops!

i have this problem. I keep the tried and true favorites in a box. It makes me feel better for some reason LOL

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WAHM to DS (11)and DD (8½)

I cried when I sold my own outgrown clothes on Craigslist simply because I lost a whole wardrobe of nice clothes (lost weight) and there is no way I can replace a whole wardrobe right now.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

YES!! I get so sad. And my DD who is 5 is wearing larger clothes than most girls her age, like 7/8 or bigger,so that makes it even worse. She is our last one and is growing so much faster than our son did, so it seems like she is even older than she is!
I am sentimental when it comes to that sort of stuff.

My first thought was yes, I cry when I outgrow my OWN clothes. LOL.

Yes, I'm also sad when the kids outgrow clothing but I get sadder when they outgrow toys...

I'm very sentimental and the kids growing up is so bittersweet for me.

I get sad because they grow so fast and then I cry because of all of the $$ that is sitting in the pile of outgrown clothes and shoes worn only a few times.

I have this problem too. I have a ton of stuff in my living room right now that I just can't seem to get to the resale shop, etc. I do keep some things that I have loved them in for them when they have kids, but it seems to get to be more and more that I'm keeping, ha ha. I realize I can't keep it all also, but it really is a downer to go through all of that stuff every year. It really depresses me. We have 4 kids, my last is 21 months and I can't believe that time is passing so quickly. I'm cutting waaayyy back on a lot of things (computer, tv, etc.) to simply have more family time & fun, because I'm just missing so much of my kids by wasting time it seems. Add me to the sad list.

It also makes me sad because I have a ton of name brand, like new clothes to get rid of every year or so.

I can't do it. I just sob as I fold away each tiny dress etc. I have gotten so I just throw it in the bottom of DD's closet and make my DH do it. Its either that or he has to deal with me being depressed for a week. I did happily put them away for a while thinking that I would save them for the next baby in the family but neither of my SIL's want to be bothered by boxes of things to sort through. Very different mentalities from me but thats a whole different story. I feel teary eyed just thinking about it esp since my oldest is going through a huge growth spurt again. sigh .........

not really, though it kinda bothered me tonight when my oldest went to take the garbage out so he slipped on my shoes and was like "Your shoes are getting too small for me Mom" <sigh>

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Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at:
http://bookcrossing.com

My other favorites
www.paperbackswap.com
www.wheresgeorge.com
www.geocaching.com

This makes me sad too. I have found that actually putting items in the bag is the hardest part. If I let them sit in the bag for a few weeks, then I can usually part with them without getting all emotional about it. I do keep a few things, and I find it also helps if I give my favorite items to people I know with children of the right age, rather than just dumping them in the bin at the Goodwill. Good luck! This is a small detail of parenting I never anticipated.

I too am struggling. I just sold my outdoor toddler toys on craigslist because my 10 yr old really wasn't playing with them. My yard looks so empty without my big Barbie House and alligator slide. etc Thank god for the swingset. I still have a lot of the beautiful dresses because someday maybe I will have a grandaughter. I also have my Brass Crib, Carriage bassinet etc. I guess I too have issues LOL

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Without Health you have no Wealth!

We just got done going through some of my DD clothes. I hate to get rid of things. But I am getting better.

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