With the kiddos back in school, it’s an ideal time to weed out their old and outgrown toys and Zwaggle them. But sometimes this is easier said than done. Children, especially preschoolers, have a very unique relationship with their possessions. They don’t like to let them go.My younger son has a hard time saying goodbye to his toddler toys, even at age 7, a full-fledged Big Kid attending elementary school. Everything is just So. Very. Special. to him. And I mean everything from last year’s math worksheets to toddler-friendly 24 piece puzzles to clothes he’s long since outgrown. He breaks into tears when I mention that it’s time to pass these items along. In fact, once our fridge broke down and he cried when he saw me dump its rotten contents into the trash.

But I found a solution that makes parting with old toys and clothes more sweet than sorrowful: the digital camera! Taking a good-bye photo of my son and his special things- whether it’s a school project or a much-loved toddler toy- helps smooth the transition of that item’s departure from our house. Of course, it follows that we reflect on these pictures over time, talking about life stages and what a big boy he’s become, but we don’t. All I do is snap the picture and store it on my hard drive.

So break out your digital camera and get ready to Zwaggle.

The is a guest post from Kim Moldofsky. Kim can be read regularly on her blog, Hormone-colored Days. You can also find Kim on Twitter @moldymom.