What is the Protocol of Disposal?

I think all mothers with little artists can relate to this one. I caught myself with the same yucky but familiar feeling as I quickly stashed more coloring pages into the trash, before the kids came around the kitchen corner.

When our children are little, we save every little scrap of genius...their first scribble with Crayolas, their first painting. We encourage them, and cheer them on. And then one day, they come to us with a work of art. Something they've made, and we show such joy that they decide to give it to us. And from that day on, they live for the expressions on your face they trust they'll find, every time they bring you a love offering of glitter and glue. This becomes and almost daily cycle of coloring gifts and affirmations.

And then, one day, you do it. You have to. The fridge is covered with masterpieces, the counter is covered with masterpieces still drying. The playroom has no more locations. There are stacks of coloring pages everywhere. So as "wrong" as it feels, you force yourself to throw the weaker items away.

And then it happens. Your daughter or son, notices their drawings crumpled in the trash. They call you on it - staring at you in disbelief and hurt by the trash bag with their crumpled artwork. And you're crushed that they've discovered it. How could Mom throw away their love offerings? And it makes you wonder...what did Mom do with my clay squirrel salt shaker I made back in 4th grade?

But still they forgive and continue to give...even after they know that sometimes Moms throw them away.