Moms Talk: How Much of Your Kids' Stuff Should You Keep?

Ever feel like you would love to sit down and talk with some mom friends, but the baby's napping, you're waiting for the school bus and there's no one to babysit?

Or, the kids are put to bed, your husband is watching something on ESPN and you're craving company?

You don't need to hire a sitter, call your mom or even get dressed to get some much-needed Moms Talk.

Moms Talk is a new weekly feature at Avon Patch, where parenting issues large and small are tackled together. Log in at Avon Patch (it's easy-peasey to create an account) and use the comments to share your thoughts on the week's topics.

So, pour another glass of iced tea, log in and make Moms Talk an enjoyable part of your Wednesdays.

Here's this week's topic:

Those sweet eyes look up adoringly as  your child holds out a piece of paper.

"I made you this, Mommy."

There is no thrill quite like that for mothers the first time it happens. But by the 500th time, the refrigerator is lost under all those colorings and you're considering moving simply to have a bigger basement for storage.

Some moms confessed the truth to the New York Times recently. They throw out their kids' artwork.

And a professional organizer recently profiled there would be seen by some moms as absolutely merciless when it comes to kids' belongings, artwork and memorabilia. Games and puzzles with missing pieces go in the trash. Mementos like soccer jerseys? Buh-bye. Refrigerator art? To the shredder!

Granted, Barbara Reich is working with parents in New York City, where exorbitant real estate prices mean storage space is minimal, and there are usually no basements or attics for storage. So unless Grandmama is willing to store everything at her New Canaan house, keeping everything isn't an option.

Still, Reich's way of doing things may give parents here in Avon something to think about. If you keep everything, does what's really important get lost in the clutter?

How do you handle the onslaught of coloring-book art, school art projects, progress reports, crafts, sports trophies, ballet performance programs, soccer uniforms, etc.?

If you throw stuff out, give us tips on how you do it. And tell us if your kids know. If everything stays, share how you organize it. Or, if you're pulling a Scarlett O'Hara and saying you'll think about organizing it tomorrow, find company and comfort here. Share the most unique thing you've ever kept, what you wish you could throw out or what you regret throwing out.

Joining us on Moms Talk is our wonderful Moms Council:

is our parenting columnist. Julie, a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in November.

works in healthcare. She and husband Timothy have a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

is a mom of three children ages 5 and under with her husband, Bill. She also works part-time.

is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

So, as Linda Richman used to say on "Coffee Talk" ... Talk amongst yourselves.