“I really think you’re just making much too big a thing out of it.”
There’s a pack rat a few streets over, but she isn’t wealthy, she just collects CRAP and keeps it in old cardboard boxes, so all her stuff gets thrown in a dumpster by her kids once a year or so (they must send her on a casino weekend or something). All that good stuff of your mom’s, you read how to put it to good use from us posters. But unless she gets some kind of treatment, it’ll just start up again…
I would stay out of it even if you’re mom agrees to get rid of things. My mother was a hoarder and even if she agreed to get rid of something at our urging later on we would get blamed for everything being ruined or being our fault for making her get rid of anything.
Hoarding needs professional help.
Yes, but she’s very wide.
In addition to homeless shelters, battered woman’s shelters, etc…
Donate to whatever organization is taking clothes and household items to various earthquake affected places.
Donate any warm clothing, coats, hats, gloves, etc to local schools, especially if there is a low income district in your area.
Donate to the Department of Social Services (CPS) for foster kids who have very little clothes.
If she’s a member of a church, donate to her church. Many churches have fundraising yard sales in the spring.
Have a yard sale of her own and give the proceeds to her favorite charity or a local food kitchen.
Amen to that! Ask me how I know. (pause) I am the son of a compulsive spendthrift Mother, and a compulsive hoarder Father. Also, both of them were “messies.” Nothing was ever picked up, and I mean nothing. The sight and smell of their house was overwhelming.
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