Storage Rooms “Expanding Time Capsules” (Ages 3-8)
If the adage, “A place for everything and everything in its place” is such a time-honored proverb, why do so many people have closets, garages, attics, basements, and spare bedrooms full of things essentially not in their places? Is it because we were given only one place to put our things, so that when we got a new thing, the old one had no place to go, except into one of the above-mentioned places, that apparently is not a place? (Huh?)
Over the years, these areas of your home seem magically to accumulate your material possessions, and unless you move or misplace your winning lottery ticket, those spaces go undisturbed. Too bad, because those expanding time capsules have much to offer your children—and you. So take your children by the hand, lead them to the attic, and discover buried treasure. You can:
1. START A HOBBY after finding an old coin, doll, or baseball card.
2. REVERE FAMILY by un-boxing your wedding dress and sharing feelings about love, marriage, and your children.
3. DISPLAY A SOFT SPOT IN YOUR ARMOR and show them the C minus you received in math on your fourth-grade report card, revealing math was hard for you, too.
4. LAUGH TOGETHER at the record player and reel-to-reel tape recorder, and explain to them about the good old days of the un-compact disc and annoying hiss.
5. FORTIFY YOUR CHILDREN’S HERITAGE with the dusty photograph of great-great-Grandma Gertrude who made thread with a spinning wheel and owned the first refrigerator in her neighborhood.
6. INTRODUCE YOUR CHILDREN TO NOSTALGIA (it’s never too early) by displaying their baby bath and infant clothes.
7. ENCOURAGE ASPIRATIONS by honoring your cheerleading outfit and track uniform.
If, on some level, your children haven’t gained something after taking a joy ride through your forgotten relics, then try these ideas…
8. Explain about less fortunate human beings, and have the children pick out items to give to CHARITY.
9. Have a garage sale whereby if they help and participate, they can keep the proceeds TO SAVE AND BE RESPONSIBLE for.
Then after donating items to charity and holding a garage sale, let the children take ownership of the new empty space, where they can organize and have—a place for everything and everything in its place.
Rex Bowlby is the father of two boys. He is the author of the book, Why Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box? (101 Ways to Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least from Your Wallet*) *For parents with children ages 3-8. He lives in Los Angeles, California, USA.