I have been very open in sharing that two of my children have finished high school and are starting the “college years.” I am under no illusion that it will be smooth-sailing or even that they will march through their college or the next steps without bumps, interruptions and changed directions. I am expecting and accepting of that. What I do know for sure, however, is that we are in a major period of transition and one of the things that has been happening this summer is a cleaning and purging. Without encouragement from me, both of my daughters are gradually going through clothes, papers, old toys and board games, and all sorts of the trappings of childhood and clearing them out. It seems to be almost instinctual to let go of the past in order to make room for the new.
I know that there are those packrats who do not want to clean out old things and cling to everything from t-shirts to toys. I also can see, however, how important and therapeutic it is for children to clean and purge prior to moving on to the next major developmental stage. It gives them a chance to go back and relive those ‘old days’ and experience all of that nostalgia. This lets them put their childhood into a different context and focus on how that was ‘then’ and this is ‘now.’
We can also encourage our children to pass along those things they will no longer need. This is another great lesson in letting go and sharing with others, all while making room in one’s life for the future. It can be such an important lesson to learn in life—how to cherish memories, but let go at the same time. A child’s going off to college is a major leap—even if they are not exactly leaving home or heading across the country. Cleaning out, sorting and purging can be a great way for a child to prepare for adulthood.
See Also: EDUCATION Blog