Have you asked your kids if they want your stuff? The answer may surprise you because you have great stuff! Right? Wrong. Your kids don’t want your stuff. This is stuff that you love and cherish because you have attached emotions to your stuff. The things that have meaning for you don’t necessarily hold the same meaning for your children. While you were living, working and building a life, time moved on, as a result, so did your children. Your children are the next generation with a different lifestyle, needs and desires. They are busy collecting their own stuff.
As an organizer, I see a lot of beautiful and well made items going to donation centers because no one wants them. Your kids don’t want your stuff. I have tried selling them with a little success because there is almost no market for these items.
The next opportunity you have to speak to one of your children ask them if there is anything special they want. I suggest doing this one by one, for example, perhaps starting chronologically to appear fair. Don’t make any promises, this is an exercise for you to get a feeling of where they are. Make notes. Consequently, you will be able to plan accordingly. I have yet to find an adult child who was thrill to have to clean out their parents house to sell because they couldn’t afford to buy the others out even if they wanted to keep it.
Since They Don’t Want Your Stuff, Here is the First Step to Avoid Dumping on Your Kids
If you have stuff from their childhood, clothes, sports equipment, artwork, etc. Invite them over to go through their stuff with you. It will be a nice trip down memory lane. When they decide what they want, box it up and have them take it with them. If storage is an issue for them and if you have the space, store it with their name on it. Don’t be tempted to keep all the rest yourself. If it doesn’t have meaning for them, it doesn’t represent them. Be very selective and chose only items that have the most meaning to you.
More tips to follow