ORGANIZING BLOG

Helping Mom Sell and Donate Her Best Stuff

Even if she’s sorry to see #things go, there may be some money in it that encourages Mom to #downsize. Help her sell antiques and collectibles to specialized dealers, post bigger-ticket items on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or stage a #garage sale to earn some extra cash. #Donate any items of historical significance to the area historical society, and contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation pickup of any wearable used clothing, furniture, or other household odds and ends. Whatever you do, take it slow with the “maybe” pile, says HomeLight. Make a box for those items revisit them with your parent every couple of weeks so they can process what they really need. #HelpMomDownsize #MothersDay

When Mom Is Reluctant to Let Go

The problem with helping a parent #downsize is that you likely don’t have the same attachment to their #stuff. If Mom is reluctant to let go of the #things she doesn’t need, consider hiring a professional #declutterer, The Guardian says. They can offer a detached viewpoint and keep the #downsizing process on track. You may also ask parents to #donate their items to a favorite charity so that they know their stuff is going to a good cause rather than into a landfill. That’s where ClothingDonations.org can help; the free service will pick up lightly used clothing and other household items and resell them to fund veterans programs nationwide. #MothersDay #HelpMomDownsize

Downsizing May Get Emotional for Mom

If your mother is getting older, it may be time to consider #downsizing before she needs to move to a smaller space or assisted living facility. #Downsizing can be emotional, says the Wellspring Center for prevention; the process takes time and energy, and Mom might be attached to her #things and the #memories they hold. Instead of rushing things, set aside several weeks or months to accomplish a thorough #decluttering. “Don’t force your parents to purge more than they are comfortable with in one sitting, especially if they have memory issues. Our brains can only make so many decisions before we hit a wall.” #HelpMomDownsize #MothersDay

Help Mom Declutter and Downsize

You can take Mom to brunch or otherwise celebrate her this Mother’s Day (May 12), but you can also do her a favor: Start helping her #declutter and #downsize. Her family home is likely the repository of decades of family memories, photos and other #memorabilia, and she probably could use some assistance in #organizing that legacy. Plus, she will appreciate the quality time you spend together sorting through that #stuff and streamlining her space. You’ll score major cheese points if you volunteer to do a few other #organizing and decorating chores such as framing family photos or hanging shelves. #HelpMomDownsize #MothersDay