I used to dream of perfectly labeled scrapbooks. One for every school year, filled with glittery artwork and first spelling tests.
But here’s the truth: I have ADHD. And motherhood didn’t cure that.
What I got instead? Torn artwork stuffed in drawers, piles of school papers on the kitchen counter, and guilt. So much guilt for not “doing it right.”
If you’ve ever felt that weight too, you’re not alone. The chaos, the shame, the “why can’t I keep up like other moms?”
I get it completely.
Here’s the good news though.
You don’t have to be a Pinterest-perfect mom to preserve your child’s school memories. You don’t need 18 matching scrapbooks or a label maker obsession.
What you need are a few calming routines that actually work for our kind of brain.
Don’t forget to save this pin for later! These routines will bring calm to your chaos and help you keep the moments that matter without drowning in paper piles.
Let’s get into it. No overwhelm. No perfection. Just doable, ADHD-friendly routines.
1. One Tote Per Kid (And That’s the Limit)
Instead of trying to save everything, I give each of my kids one clear plastic tote. That’s it.
Inside are 4 or 5 labeled folders:
- PreK & Kindergarten
- Elementary
- Middle School
- High School
- “Other” (think dance recitals, camp, random kid magic)
This is the secret: The tote is the boundary.
If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t stay. No guilt. Just clarity.
Bonus? It’s future-proof. Your grown-up kids will actually want a curated box, not 17 overflowing tubs they’ll quietly donate when you’re not looking.
2. Daily “Drop & Pause” Routine
After school, every paper doesn’t need a decision. That’s a trap.
Here’s what we do instead:
Kid comes home and drops papers into a bin (9×12 works great).
I glance through, pull out anything sentimental or urgent.
The rest? Stays in the bin until later.
No daily decisions. No chaos on the counter.
Just a simple habit that keeps us from drowning in paper. Plus I can catch the occasional “I love you, Mom” drawing before it gets crumpled in a backpack.
3. Summer Sorting Ritual
Once a year (not weekly, not monthly) we sit down to sort.
It’s a little summer ritual. The kids pull out their bins, we play music, grab a snack, and go through everything together.
They choose what they want to keep for their tote. I get to relive the good stuff. Everyone wins.
And honestly? They look forward to it. It feels like storytelling. Like memory-making all over again.
4. A Small Wall Gallery for the Now Stuff
We use 2 clip frames and a little corkboard on the wall near the kitchen.
That’s where the current masterpieces go. The cool volcano drawing, the hilarious stick figure comic, the math test they’re proud of.
When something new comes home? We rotate it in.
When something rotates out? It either gets tossed or dropped into the memory bin.
It gives their work a moment to shine without turning my fridge into a scrapbook.
5. A “Keepsake Corner” That Actually Works
ADHD tip: if something doesn’t have a clear home, it will end up everywhere.
So we created a little “memory corner.” Just a tray and a tote in the hallway.
That’s the landing zone for anything worth saving. Sweet notes, camp wristbands, random treasures.
Here’s the real trick: I only touch it when I have energy. No pressure. It’s there when I’m ready.
Also, doing this stuff with someone helps. I’ll sit with my kid, or sometimes my partner joins in. Body doubling is real (even if the other person’s just folding laundry).
6. Let the Kids Be the Curators
This one’s big: I stopped making all the decisions.
When we sort the bins, my kids decide what stays. The rule is simple: if it fits in the tote, it can stay.
That tiny bit of ownership? It changed everything.
Even my youngest (who wants to save every paper) is learning to choose what matters most. And I’ve stopped trying to micromanage their memories.
Okay, except when they try to toss the poem they wrote about me. That one goes in my folder. Obviously.
7. Create a Launch Pad for Keepsakes
Each school year, I set up a simple launch pad. A spot for everything that needs to be saved, signed, or sorted.
Sometimes it’s just a basket near the front door. Sometimes a shelf in their closet.
It’s not fancy, but it works.
It keeps the “I don’t know where to put this” moments from turning into clutter mountains.
The best part? I don’t have to reinvent the system every year. It’s one less thing to think about.
8. Monthly Mini-Check (with a Reward)
On the first weekend of each month, I set a 10-minute timer. Quick sweep of each kid’s bin.
Toss the outdated stuff.
Pull out the treasures.
Move them to the tote or keepsake corner.
I usually do this while sipping coffee or eating something chocolatey. Let’s be honest, a little dopamine boost makes everything easier.
If my kid joins me, I let them pick a sticker or playlist. Same rule applies: snacks equal cooperation.
In Case You Needed to Hear This…
Whether your child has ADHD or not, these routines will make your life easier.
And if you have ADHD too (hi, same), I want you to know this:
You are not lazy. You are not failing. You are not too disorganized to create memories that last.
You just need systems that work with your brain, not against it.
These aren’t about doing more. They’re about doing what matters most with less chaos, less shame, and way more ease.
So if you’re sitting in a kitchen full of paper piles right now, take a breath. Pick one routine. Try it this week. That’s it.
No perfection required.
Just progress. And a little more peace.
🖤 You’ve got this.