Best idea and advice I was ever given was to get rid of more than we want to keep. However, always take a picture of each item both as a picture of the item itself and also a picture of the owner (child) with each item. Put on the picture description the date, where the item originated, if it came from a certain person or trip, etc. Then make memory books (virtual or physical) to keep these items for memorialization.

We have some great pictures of kids playing with a toy, wearing a cute outfit, holding a self-portrait or craft, etc. with the item itself long gone. When you take a picture of first new bed, also take one of last time in crib. It isn't always the item itself you want to keep, just the memory. Pictures take up a lot less space and looking through a memory book is much better than having lots of dusty boxes of stuff that is seldom, if ever, going to be looked at in the future.

Mother of 4- Great idea! Thanks for sharing. What a nice way to keep the memory without keeping the actual item.

Everything with toddlers is more challenging that with out. They have short attention spans, they are demanding, they live in the now, they get frustrated easily because they can't do the things they want to do.

I do appreciate your effort, but come on. All your posts have the same theme. Doing thing with little kids is more challenging that with out them.

I encourage you to use your knowledge of social psychology and write a post using that info in respect to child rearing.

MPer- Thanks for commenting and for your post suggestion.

Cheryl, I thought your comment to MPer was very gracious. I, too, would like to see your perspective as a fairly newly-minted PhD in social psych who has toddlers. Yes, it is true that everything with toddlers is hard. They are voracious. My children are now older, but I remember how I could turn away for five minutes and one of the two would have made a mess that would take me a half hour to clean up. All I can say is hang on and try to enjoy the ride. Plus, don't worry about trying to be out and about all the time. It's ok for them to be bored here and there. It teaches them creativity.

Sonya- Thank you for the kind words. With the rain we've been spending a bit more time indoors. You are right, it's been fun to see what games they've come up with - even the messy ones. Thanks for commenting.

MPer has a point. I had a blog in the Palo Alto Weekly when my oldest was a toddler and I was pregnant with the second. I was careful not to perpetuate stereotypes about women losing their ability to think and write (diaper brain) after having children and made sure my posts were interesting, even provocative. It's a gift, to have this space reserved for you to express yourself. Any blogger who really has nothing to say should relinquish her assignment and let someone else take over.

Mom of 4 - Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Wait... what? Children don't raise themselves, nor are they all raised by foreign nannies. Raising toddlers is a full-contact sport, but unlike any sport the consequences are immense. And when you're a well-educated older mom, you are aware of a lot more consequences. Maybe more intellectual women should admit to Diaper Brain and how they worked through it instead of worrying about other moms accusing them of Diaper Brain. And anyway, where is Mr. Cheryl? Building his career while Cheryl tries to figure out what to do with the clutter?

Sonya - Thanks for commenting and for sharing your experiences. The toddler years definitely present a unique set of challenges that can keep you on your toes. It will be interesting to look back on these years when my kids are older.