While on a hike with the Red Mountain Ranch Hiking Club, a few members were discussing the problem of sorting and passing on their grown children’s memorabilia.
They have the room to store it, so they don’t get around to getting it done. I had the same issue and here’s how I handled it.
- Schedule a 45-minute FaceTme appointment with the family member. If it takes more than 45 minutes, schedule another session so no one is overwhelmed or cancels because it won’t fit their schedule. Believe me, they aren’t going to see the urgency. However, stress how it’s affecting your mental and emotional health. So, it’s either getting this handled, or they will be visiting you at the sanitarium.
- Have your box or bags ready for donating, shipping and trashing.
- Don’t get emotional if they say they don’t want something. If they don’t want it and you feel the attachment, it’s now yours and your problem.
- If your children have their own homes, this stuff needs to get shipped. If they want you to keep it because they don’t have room, this is going to be a difficult discussion. I’ve seen crying and pleading, but stand your ground. You don’t live in a storage unit.
- Try to keep your emotional balance when they don’t want their kindergarten crayon drawings. This illustrates the importance of getting rid of this stuff earlier. The longer it’s in your home, the more important it seems to become.
If you are dealing with this problem and need further help, send an email to nancy@createthespace.com and mention this article. I’ll try to mediate or offer further advice for a particular vexing situation. The important thing is to get the process going, and don’t stop until it’s finished.
Nancy Nemitz has been helping families and businesses become more organized and efficient since 2004. She would love to hear from you. Call (480) 223-8939, or send an email to nancy@createthespace.com. Visit createthespace.com for more information about her services.