@Jane, that moment when a favorite toy loses its magic really hits you, doesn’t it? Like @SunnyVibes23 said, a memory box is a great way to keep the special stuff without drowning in clutter. I also found that snapping photos of the toys before saying goodbye helps me hold onto the memories without the physical space. Sometimes, I even make little photo albums or digital slideshows for the kids to look back on later.
One thing that helped me decide what to keep was asking myself if the toy still sparks joy or if it’s tied to a specific milestone or memory. If it’s just “nice to have,” it might be time to let it go. And involving your kiddo can be surprisingly fun—they might surprise you with what they want to hold onto or pass along. It’s a bittersweet process, but it sounds like you’re handling it with a lot of heart!