Why some parents struggle to throw away their children’s old toys

For some parents, an old toy can be much harder to throw away than an unused household item. A faded teddy bear, a broken toy car, a worn-out doll or an old board game may have little practical use, especially after a child has grown up. Yet parents may keep these objects carefully packed away for years. At first glance, it may seem like simple nostalgia. But psychology suggests there can be more behind this habit. Research on possessions, memory and identity shows that objects can become closely connected to important experiences and relationships. An old toy may therefore carry emotional meaning far beyond its material value.When an old toy becomes a piece of family historyOne reason parents hold on to childhood toys is that objects can act as reminders of personal experiences.