I have always done this. I don't let anyone else empty the wastebaskets. In this way, I have rescued absolute treasures from oblivion. Artwork, essays and stories, poetry and sometimes priceless photos. I would never see many of these things otherwise.
I just found a brilliant short story in my son's trash, that I assume he wrote for a creative writing class. So, do you look through your kids' trash? If not, you might want to reconsider.
I do now once I found the Directv remote in the trash can. My son got peanut butter on it and said "it was all diiiiiirty mom!" In other words he was getting rid of evidence!
Not yet, but my son is only 4 :) I'm the one in trouble for throwing away "treasures." But, my mom did, and it served 2 purposes. 1) She caught me getting into trouble. The ONE time I smoked, I tried to throw the butts in the trash and take the trash out myself. Hmmm... 15 year old taking the trash out without being hounded to. How ever was she on to me?? BUSTED! 2) She too saved some fun things that don't have their whole significant meaning until now. Example: I was given a detention slip for "making irrelevant arguments to classroom instruction" (I was a bit hard-headed of a child). Funny thing: I'm a lawyer today!! My mom found the slip last year & wants me to send a copy of it to the issuing teacher with a copy of my law degree saying "good thing I kept arguing" :)
Well, I might if my freakin' kids ever put anything IN the actual trash rather then in the car, on the floor, under the bed, on the coffee table, etc! Giggle.
:)
Man, I wish I had. My son threw away a whole ziplock baggie of nerf shooters and protective eyeware from his dart tag game (only one week old from my sister and BIL).
I went to get the stuff out for him and brother to play only to get a "I threw it away." Me; "Why?" him: "I just wanted to."
geesh - boys:)
Hahaha! I love this question! I have gone through my niece's trash. She throws away the most lovely things! I got my favorite nail polish out of her trash - never been used. I also rescued a painting that she had done when she was little. Her artwork has always been amazing and I hated to see it thrown away.
Oh, and you are right about the priceless photos!!! I cringe to think of what has gotten thrown out.
no but sometimes i hope and pray THEY dont look through their trash. My kids are little hoarders and i toss lots of stuff......often.
never did, never will.
I go through my husbands trash, because everybody else stuff is in it. He goes into straighten up mode and everything he sees ends up in a walmart grocery bag next to the trash. I find pieces to puzzles and other toys that wont work without that piece, pens, pencils, markers, hair brush, quarters, socks, kids underwear, makeup. Never any of his stuff, but always tons of the kids.
No, never have, never will.
I have more respect for my daughter than to do that to her.
Our key has been wide open communication with no topic off limits from day 1. We have nothing to hide because we TALK a lot and she shares a LOT with me.
We have mutual respect. Same goes for hubby. mutual respect.
PLUS, I don't have that amount of time to waste by going through someone's trash.
If he does not take care of his own trash then it becomes fair game. He is embarresed with is wrting, so I leave that be, that is his business, I keep the stuff he brings to me. It's his little life, they have so little control as it is, I give him as much as he is willing to accept.
Not yet, but when they are older I will. My 3 yr old tends to throw away silverware, so I always have to do a quick run through of the kitchen garbage.
Yuck - not mine - though they are 5, 4, and 10 mos, hahaha.. Nothing but snotty tissues and dirty diapers. :)
Glad you were able to rescue some treasure from yours :)
I do, but that is because my 18 month old throws everything away! My scrapbook? Trash can! My diarys from middle school? Trash! All his toys? Trash!
